Step 8: Embrace the Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Apr 14, 2020
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci
The world naturally moves toward chaos. It requires intentional, disciplined choice to prevent chaos from taking over. What happens to our homes if we stop cleaning them? Even if we don’t actively make a mess, chaos will encroach. Dust will accumulate. Cobwebs will multiply. What happens when we stop the discipline of working in our yards? Again, even without causing a mess, things will go wild. Weeds will take over, blackberry bushes will grow tall and strong.
These examples are true in our hearts and schedules as well. If we respond to what is thrown at us without making intentional choices, we will find ourselves living lives we never meant to create. If we allow our minds and emotions to go unchecked they will become cluttered with negative emotions and beliefs that we never intended to buy in to.
An undisciplined life is a chaotic life. According to Dr. Brian Simmons, one of the many definitions of the Hebrew word for ‘peace’, Shalom, is ‘Destroy the authority that binds to chaos.’ As we embrace the disciplined pursuit of less, we exchange chaos for peace. It requires intentionality to choose the most valuable pursuits and say ‘no’ to the rest. But the reward will far outweigh the cost.
One excellent way to keep our lives focused on the most valuable pursuits is to do the most important things at the beginning of the day. This ensures our highest priorities are achieved before the potential chaos of the day takes over.
We can also learn the discipline of saying ‘no’ to things that are out of alignment with our life-goals. It may require some practice but as we focus on our priorities it will become more and more natural to say ‘no’ to things that don’t belong and ‘yes’ to things that will bring us closer to our goals.
One final pointer for keeping our lives disciplined in the pursuit of less is to choose rest. It may seem counter-intuitive, but taking a day of rest has been proven to increase productivity on the remaining six days of the week!
“Come to be, all you labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ”