Why?

We're all probably familiar with the dreaded toddler response of "Why?" to everything.  Once kids get beyond a certain age, they don't just want to know "what" but "why", even for things that most adults don't think "why" applies to.   When I've been confronted with a child's why, I always give them some sort of answer, even if that answer wouldn't fit an adult's notion of appropriate.   Once when I was in the process of moving into a new apartment, a child from a neighboring one walked up and asked what I was doing.  When I told him, he asked why.  I responded with "because it is better than sleeping outside."  Which was true and satisfied his need for an answer.  When my kids asked "Why do they call it LIFE cereal?"  The answer was, obviously, "If they called it DEATH cereal, no one would buy it."  Also, true and satisfied the kids, much more than "because" or "I don't know."

Somewhere along the line, most of us stop asking why and seem to become content with "because that's how it is" as an answer for many things.  Or, worse yet, don't even wonder about it at all.   This, I believe, leads to all manner of unthinking, unthoughtful and unfulfilling behavior, which is sad.

So, why am I writing about simplification?  Why is that something that attracts me?   Why do I want to make the effort?

In looking back, there have been three women whom I have admired and who have practiced their own type of simplification.  They have appeared in my life every ten years or so and have taught me quite a bit about how I'd like to be.

K was a widow who had spent the years since her husband had died divesting herself of the unnecessary, as she saw it.  She was retired, so how she dressed/presented herself was of utterly no concern to anyone but herself.  She followed a spiritual path that stressed simplicity and she was very busy doing good to everyone who came across her path.  When I knew her she owned two outfits.  One to wear and one to wash.  They were casual, clean and comfortable.  It drove her children nuts that she wouldn't dress up to go to a fancy restaurant with them.  But, she had determined that her expression of a well lived life of simplicity did not include a closet full of clothes.

Sister M was a Franciscan nun living under a vow of poverty.  She didn't wear a habit and probably had more clothes than K did, although still casual and comfortable.   She used to say that she didn't need a lot of things in her life.  She said it was much better to visit folks, admire their things and then move on without them.  Her point being you don't need to own things to enjoy life, it being much better to enjoy what's in front of you for however long it is there and move on without attachments.

H was also an elderly lady on a spiritual path.  She had been born into considerable wealth, never married and was a true blessing to people that knew her.  She gave generously to those causes she cared about, lived simply and well below her means.  When she died, those who did not know her well were stunned to walk into the church for her funeral to see a plain wooden coffin, not unlike one sees in old movies.  She, literally, left this world in the same manner she'd lived in it, simply and without conspicuous consumption.

In their lives, these women frequently asked why and when there wasn't a good reason they said "no, thank you."  And, while their approaches differ from my own, I've admired the integrity of their efforts and commitment.

But, why simplification at all?  For me, there are many answers to that question.   In no particular order:
(1)  I am never ever going to be rich, so why tie myself up in knots trying to chase after things that are beyond my grasp financially? Also, why tie myself up in knots wanting them?  There is no peace in that.  I can be comfortable and satisfied in my life without them.
(2)  The fast paced chaotic modern lifestyle is exhausting and unfulfilling.  It also wreaks havoc on the environment, the poor and one's own peace of mind.  I remember the saying that if you win the rat-race, you're still a rat.  I don't want to be a rat.  I don't want to race.  I want everyone to get where they are going, whole, well and at peace.
(3)  I feel no desire to support multi-national corporations in their efforts to dominate markets at the expense of the planet and everything on it.  I may only be one person and unable to effect meaningful change, but I can refuse to support their efforts with my money as much as I can.  It may be impossible in America to disengage completely from corporate entanglements given the ubiquitous nature of the beast.  But it is possible to reduce it and to make conscious choices.

How to proceed then?   Small steps and lots of questions beginning with the word WHY.
Hopefully, leading to a few answers.