Purpose and simplicity

Have you thought about simplifying your life at all? Several people I know are talking about it. Some are downsizing. Some are cutting back on activities, creating more open space in their lives. A few are cutting back to part-time work. One friend is even reflecting on the time she spends with friends to be sure these really are the people with whom she wants to devote her precious time.

Here's an interesting quote from French writer and Buddhist monk, Matthieu Ricard: "Simplifying our lives does not mean sinking into idleness, but on the contrary, getting rid of the most subtle aspect of laziness: the one which makes us take on thousands of less important activities."

I just came across that quote recently, and I admit that I need to really think more about it. It's surprising, isn't it, to hear the term "laziness" used for a life that is filled with an over-abundance of activities?

And yet, a multitude of "less important activities" can keep us from the most important work in our lives—the real purpose of your life or mine. If you feel that's true for your life, what are you willing to do about it? What changes would you like to make? Do you know what your really important work is right now? What would it take to focus on that? Remember, purpose is much more than your job or your career.