A Quaker View of Simplicity

"As Friends (Quakers), we believe in simple living . . . We try to live lives in which activities and possessions do not get in the way of open and unencumbered communication with others and with one's own spirituality. Clearing away the clutter makes it easier to hear the 'still small voice' within. Our commitment to simplicity calls us to speak plainly and go directly to the heart of the matter. However, simplicity does not mean being simplistic. We value nuance and choose words carefully when we speak. We may speak passionately, but we avoid distortion and exaggeration. 

"In our work, simplicity requires focusing our efforts on what is most important rather than diffusing our energies too broadly. In our personal lives, simplicity may mean limiting our consumerism - and resisting over-commitment, so that we have time to care for ourselves and to be present with one another."

American Friends Service Committee

Photos: A snowy day at Devil's Backbone Open Space, near Loveland, CO, December 29, 2014