We live lives that are too easily pleased. Too often, we rely on possessions and money to satisfy our heart’s desire. We rely on selfish pursuits. And routinely fall into the lie that the secret to a fulfilled life is the possession of more belongings and the achievement of personal gain.
But while we are settling for the temporal pleasure of material possessions, is it possible we are missing out on something better? Is it possible we are missing things that would bring even greater satisfaction and more lasting pleasure to our lives? Could it be that we were designed for something greater than material acquisitions? And we are acting foolishly by settling for something far less than the very best?
C. S. Lewis said it like this, “Our desires are not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Since becoming minimalist and shifting my life’s focus away from possessions, I have begun to notice how much of my life was wasted chasing empty pursuits. If I wasn’t working to earn the money to buy more things, I was researching my next purchase, reading advertisements, shopping at the store, or managing the possessions already in my home. I now consider all of it time wasted that I can never get back. Time I could have spent chasing things of lasting value.
My life was lived too haphazardly. I became so involved in the day-to-day meanderings of life I was no longer able to visualize anything different. My values and pursuits were being dictated by the voices around me… not the voices within. But I have learned there is something of far greater value to be found by those who will withdraw intentionally long enough to listen.
My life was lived too selfishly. I worried about my career, my house, my paycheck, my appearances, and my glory. Little concern was offered towards the plight of others. I was too busy loving myself to love anyone else. But the size of our universe shrinks significantly when we place ourselves at the center. Instead, when we begin to love others and care for their interests rather than just our own, we begin to see our potential for joy increase dramatically.
My life was lived too focused on the wrong things. I sought to collect and compare things that can easily be measured. But there are invisible things in this universe that will bring far greater joy and satisfaction to our lives than the trinkets on sale at your local department store. Albert Einstein once said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” I have come to discover the lasting fulfillment that can be found in hope, peace, faith, love… just to name a few. And I have come to realize there is a greater joy available to those who learn to fully appreciate the value of each.
Some of the most fulfilling moments in my life have been times when the world’s system has been flipped upside-down. Seek intentional opportunities to evaluate and review the trajectory of your life. Rather than always rushing to get on top, to acquire more, or to impress others, take time to help someone else. And rather than looking at a person through the lens of worldly success, look into their heart instead – you may be surprised what you discover. It’s time to seek more. And time to realize there are greater things available to us than simply acquiring and managing a storehouse of shiny things.
Today, I wish you the very best.
Rebecca says
So if you decide to stop chasing the job to become minimalist, what then?
What are you doing now with all the time you are saving?
Rita says
I came across this blog and loved it! I do have to admit that sometimes as a parent I sway away from these values. I don’t want to teach my kids to be competitive and win all the times, money is not a goal for living..but it’s difficult especially in the society we live that values money, and winning is so important…
Margaret Bolchoz says
In 2012 a friend told me about a book she read, “The 100 Thing Challenge” I read the book and over the year I have been reading your blog. I have decided that in 2013 I am going to pursue being a minimalist. I am looking forward to the journey in this new year. Thanks Josh.
Lee says
If the purpose of life isn’t the aquisition of ‘thing’ then what is, in your opinion?
Grayson Pope says
This is definitely one of my favorite Lewis quotes. It’s one of the rare ideas that perhaps gets truer as time goes goes on.
As I read your thoughts, I realized I have been living somewhat of a minimalist lifestyle without even knowing it. My wife and I purge closets and belongings regularly. We prefer everything we own to have more than one use.
It made me wonder what would be the hardest thing to give up in pursuit of a simpler life. I’m not sure what my answer is. What was the hardest for you?
Colleen @ 365lessthings.com says
Well said Joshua, I couldn’t agree more. I have the privilege of living the life you describe. The combination of being free of the desire to acquire coupled with helping others both through my blog and in my community is very satisfying indeed. I highly recommend it to others.
Stephen says
Absolutely beautiful Joshua! Pitch perfect in every way… It is amazing how much I know this message to be true yet I need to hear it time and time again. And every time it is like I have heard it the first time and it resonates with me always. Strange how this is.
Your blog was one of the first I read several years ago and it made a real difference in my life. I found this post in my RSS reader today and I am reminded why I bookmarked it years ago.
I will echo some of the comments above and say thank you.
Stephen
Chris Peek says
Beautifully written and so true. When we spend our lives chasing after possessions, we end up exhausted after all the time spent researching, purchasing, and maintaining. Seeking after stuff leaves us in a vicious cycle, as we receive that little rush of excitement with our shiny new object. But then, that empty feeling returns, and we begin the cycle again, thinking this time we will be truly satisfied.
joshua becker says
… but never truly are.
Robbie says
Your words ring in like a breath of fresh air. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and helping to improve our lives… jointly we’ll succeed!
Nothing wrong with mud pies. A child feels like he is in Heaven while making them; it’s that we’re trying to look at it from our own colored glasses and think there’s something better. I get Lewis’ point though.
Mike | Homeless On Wheels says
Great post – including the excellent quotes from Lewis and Einstein. THANKS!
joshua becker says
Thanks Mike.