What’s involved with becoming a minimalist?  It is realizing what is essential and what you can do without.  This is a lesson I learned from backpacking.  When you’re hiking many miles for several days you realize what’s important and what you should have left home.  Although to my knowledge Ludwig Mies van der Rohe  was not a backpacker, his famous axiom “Less is more” is certainly apropos to backpackers.

 “Less is more” is also important for life.  In Jesus’ day the Pharisees had developed a complex system of 613 laws:  365 negative commands and 248 positive laws.  It created a system of external laws that produced a cold, heartless, and arrogant brand of righteousness.  Jesus said there are two laws:

 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment.  “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  (Matthew 22:37-40)

 Now doesn’t that simplify your life?  When we understand Jesus’ teaching it brings freedom and joy into our life because we’re not stressed out with the minutia of man-made laws.  Augustine understood this concept as he wrote, “Love God and do as you please.”                    

If you’re in an organization you most likely have a policy manual with a myriad of rules and regulations.  Years ago I read an article about Nordstrom’s original policy manual, here’s their policy manual:

 Welcome to Nordstrom – We’re glad to have you with our company. Our number one goal is to provide outstanding customer service. Set both your personal and professional goals high. We have great confidence in your ability to achieve them.

Nordstrom Rules: Rule #1: Use good judgment in all situations. There will be no additional rules.

 I love it!  That was obviously written by a minimalist.  As I mentioned, backpacking can teach you many good lessons about simplifying your life.  When you’re on the trail you realize that too many possessions weigh you down and cause discomfort.  Larry McDuff tells a story about “Keith, trail name Wolf, a legendary long-distance hiker.  On the trail, the most respected hikers are the ones with the fewest possessions. Wolf was carrying a super-small pack which weighed 14 pounds including food and water. When asked how he got his pack weight so low, Wolf would reply, ‘All you need to know is that it’s possible.’”

 What do you need to give up to simplify your life?  You must realize that it’s not easy – our culture emphasizes having “stuff.”  Unfortunately it’s often true that “You don’t own your possessions, but your possessions own you.”   Be encouraged that you don’t need to be enslaved to “stuff” remember Wolf’s words, “All you need to know is that it’s possible.”