This week I finished reading Inner Simplicity: 100 Ways to Regain Peace and Nourish Your Soul. This is only the 2nd book I have read on the topic of simplicity, but I think it makes a decent contribution to the discussion. It’s a quick read, and easy to break up by suggestion.

Elaine provides different ideas for reaching inner simplicity, such as #13 Be Realistic, or #46 Rethink Your Current Beliefs, and provides a few paragraphs on how to implement the recommendation in your life, or how to go about getting more information on the concept. I think she offers some good suggestions on making space in your life for personal development, and some steps you can take to get there, but I feel there was one critical recommendation that she left out, or was perhaps implied in the other recommendations. I believe the act of serving others is critical to inner growth, as recommended and demonstrated by Peace Pilgrim, Mother Theresa, Thich Nhat Hanh, etc.

Obviously providing service to others doesn’t mean that you have to join a convent and spend the rest of your life feeding the poor or tending to the sick and elderly – there are many forms service can take. Elaine’s book is one – sharing your creativity, passion, and experience with other people to help guide them through similar situations in life. Taking the time to just listen to someone is another. There are so many ways, but I think it is vital that, on our paths of spiritual development, we are mindful of our connections to everyone and everything around us, and that we take the time to provide some comfort to other beings or allow the opportunity for connection to that essence that surrounds us.

Peace and love.