Mennonite Weekly Review

Writing out lists gives me a shot of clarity like looking at a map; it’s the first step toward moving some place. Along with writing numerous “to do” lists, I occasionally write out other musings.

Goering

In 2005, I wrote down a list called “Simple Truths” that included “Love matters most; The world isn’t fair; Rest when weary; and Don’t forget the mystery.” I concluded with “Life’s complexities are simple, too” and “Simple is often good.”

When asked to describe Mennonites, I often include something about simple living, knowing that describes groups who eschew modern conveniences but also includes other kind of Mennonites who value simplicity in a less conspicuous way.

When my husband, Wynn, and I were first married, we lived in a small house, with less than 1,000 square feet, in a small town, population 500. We didn’t have much money; I was freelance writing and Wynn was farming his family land and teach- ing in adjunct positions at local colleges.

We didn’t have cable television or Internet access or cell phones. We spent little time waiting in line at the post office or stuck in traffic.

It was easy to add this up and declare ourselves “living simply.”

Fast forward 26 years and Wynn and I have two homes in two states; we expend lots of energy driving and flying back and forth. Between the two of us, we have three time-consuming jobs.

We don’t have children, but do we have major responsibilities in caring for elderly parents. We travel more, but in shorter bursts since we don’t have time for two-week vacations. We make more money than when we were first married, and we spend more money too.

Life seems more complicated that it used to, and the world seems to spin faster. Is our simple life gone? Without plain clothes and horse-drawn buggies, is it all relative? What does simplicity really mean?

We usually define a simple lifestyle as having less money and fewer material possessions. It’s considered simpler to live in a rural area and grow your own food. Most of us assume our parents and grandparents had a simpler lifestyle than we have.