(This is the seventh in a series of 12 monthly queries developed by Pacific Yearly Meeting.)
Life is meant to be lived from a Center, a divine Center . . . a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It takes no time, but occupies all our time. Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion, 1941
A life centered in God will be directed toward keeping communication with God open and unencumbered. Simplicity is best achieved through a right ordering of priorities, maintaining humility of spirit, avoiding self-indulgence, resisting the accumulation of unnecessary possessions, and avoiding over-busy lives.
Elise Boulding writes in My Part in the Quaker Adventure, “Simplicity, beauty, and happiness go together if they are a by-product of a concern for something more important than our selves.”
Do I center my life in an awareness of God’s presence so that all things take their rightful place?
Do I live simply and promote right sharing of the world’s bounty?
Do I keep my life uncluttered with things and activities, avoiding commitments beyond my strength and light?
How do I maintain simplicity, moderation, and honesty in my speech, my manner of living, and my daily work?
Do I recognize when I have enough?
Is the life of the Meeting so organized that it helps us to simplify our lives?
August: Integrity and Personal Conduct
(Note: Some queries are intended for individuals. The italicized portion of the queries above is intended for the Meeting collectively.)