How I Practice Simplicity

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I have chosen to live in a simple manner, as is the Quaker way.

For those who have asked, these are the ways I practice simplicity in my life:

• I don't buy things I don't need: I do not need an iPad for example because I have a laptop, an MP3 player, a phone, etc, ergo an iPad is an unnecessary expense. It's indulgent to buy things you don't need for the sake of having it or because it makes you cool, whatever
• I don't allow myself to become addicted to products/commit idolatry by becoming devoted to material things: this might sound silly, but if you have to have every Apple product no questions asked, you're addicted to technology. If you find yourself buying products you don't need or hardly use because Apple made it and you pour money into their products, you are effectively worshipping Apple because your hard earned cash will go to them without reason
• If I need something, I buy it on a budget: I hate to admit that I'm dependent on my phone, but I am. I feel unsafe if I leave the house without it. What happens if I break down? Get lost? Need an ambulance? So owning a phone is essential. But that doesn't mean I need to spend £500 on an iPhone and update it every time a new model is released. That's extravagant. My last phone cost £30, it was a touchscreen, it made calls and texts. Sorted
• I try to avoid excess: I don't need to buy 15 tops if I only need 5. So I don't. If I get bored of my clothes or they are too worn, I donate them to charity if possible or throw them out. Then I buy more. There is no need to buy more clothes than you need, nor is there any need to dump your clothes because they're out of season. Does it really matter at the end of the day?
• I try to make my money go further: I would never buy an item of clothing for some extortionate amount, £200 is definitely too much, but even £40 if you could buy the same thing for £15 I find is a waste. If I can buy 4 dresses for £20 instead of 1 dress for the same price, I do
• If I wear designers, I don't pay designer prices: this overlaps with other points, but basically I grab designer labels like Ralph Lauren, Aeropostale and Vans when they have sales. If shoes from supermarkets cost £10 and you can get designer shoes for £10 in a sale then go for the label if you like it. It costs the same as unbranded shoes
• I try to spend money productively: I don't spend stupid amounts of money on things like alcohol and partying. I drink sometimes and I go out to clubs etc. But I'm not one of those people that spends £40 in a night out on drinks or £40 a week to get into clubs

I think that's everything for now on how I practice simplicity :)

God Works in Quaker Meeting

I just wanted to share quickly today one of the ways we can see that God works regularly in Quaker Meetings.

Today in Meeting, a man stood up to give ministry (for those that don't know, ministry is when a person feels moved by God to stand and speak about something. It's what they feel God is telling them to say, not what they just want to stand up and talk about. A lot of people say they don't even know what came out of their mouth during ministry). He read a section from Advices and Queries in 'Quaker Faith and Practice' on simplicity.

It was interesting because this ministry spoke to me. Often ministry will reach at least one person in the room, occasionally everyone will relate directly to the ministry given. It just shows that it is God using the people in the room to say what he wants to say and what needs to be said. What the people gathered there are feeling and thinking is often responded to by God via ministry.

A friend of mine told me a story today of when she was feeling depressed over a long period of time. One day in Meeting, every ministry given was about helping those in need, comforting those suffering with depression. It confirmed to her that God knew how she was feeling and the ministry helped others reach out to her for the support she needed. Amazing!

Today's ministry spoke to me because this week I have been thinking about simplicity. How I live simply in the Quaker way. (I will do a separate post soon on how simplicity is in my life). But I was thinking about it this week because I was shopping for new clothes and trying to decided what was an appropriate amount to spend on an item of clothing and how much I should spend overall.

Is there any difference in spending £100 on 10 items of clothing or spending £100 on 1 item of clothing? This ministry spoke directly to me because it said 'do not be led into buying things you do not need nor things you cannot afford'. It answered some of my questions. If you don't need it, you shouldn't spend a penny on it. If you do need it but you can't afford it, drop it.

It just goes to show that God knows what's going on in your life and he does find ways to communicate! My God is there with me every week in Meeting.