The opposite of materialism isn’t minimalism, it’s connection.
I used to strive for simplicity. I read all the self-help books, cleared away a lot of the clutter, and implemented changes meant to streamline my life. Many of them stuck, and things got somewhat simpler. But there wasn’t an internal shift.
I found Charles Wagner’s timeless book “The Simple Life” somewhere along the way. And while the answer was there, even then I couldn’t internalize it. He suggested a life that is mission-focused becomes less complicated naturally. As we pursue what matters, the extraneous loses its luster.
The past few years have been a time for me to dig deep. As I chose excerpts from Wagner’s book to include in my own book “A Vital Simplicity”, the messages rang true for me. And as I grow older, I’m reflecting on my life and envisioning what the future might become. I find myself drawn to minimalism from the inside instead of putting external pressures on myself. And the concept of connection keeps coming up.
Work out your mission – Charles Wagner
The internal transformation began for me when I connected to my mission. It’s personal to me, but it involves being of service to others. I’m careful to recognize that writing is an ability of mine but not the end goal. Writing is a simply tool that is useful in the pursuit of this aim, and it also brings me joy in the process.
How did I get clarity around my purpose? The focus I needed was born out of connection to three things:
– My Higher Power
– Other People
– Nature
In my next three blog posts, I’ll dive into each of these and share my experiences. The evolving result is that I am naturally inclined to spend my time and energy on lasting pleasures rather than instant gratification.
We must pursue who and what we are created to be with more fervor than we pursue material prosperity – Charles Wagner
While I’m still finding my way, I can say with conviction that the change I sought for so long is coming naturally now that I am in the flow of life and finding true connections at last. I’m hoping you’ll join me and reflect on your own experiences as we learn and grow together.