Think about "Enough"
Benedictines were to have no possessions of their own except what was issued to them from the monastery. Sufficient clothes, bed, room, a few books, & tools they needed for their assigned work was all that they possessed. If any personal possessions besides these were found hidden in their beds they were to be reprimanded.
Why? what purpose would this serve? No personal possessions?!
This wasn't to impose personal pain or religious asceticism in their lives but to "free them to live simply, joyfully & fully".
They were to simply have "enough"... adequate (in a quantity that answers a purpose or satisfies a desire)
What is enough? Think about that concept, "enough". When does having more than enough subtract from the richness of life? We immediately think of more possessions ... does having 10 pairs of shoes subtract from a life that would more "joyful" & "freer" with 3 pairs? more activities... this is a big one in our culture! We have activities not just weekly or something to look forward to monthly.. we have daily activities, hobbies, options for travel and excitement. Does having more opportunities for activities.. does having a daily entertainment, hobby or stimulating activity subtract joy, fullness from our lives versus one less frequent? If our extra "activity" was more on a weekly basis versus a daily one would our lives be richer, more content? more than "enough" food? does it detract from our souls? Does stimulating our taste buds with treats often detract from us.. does it make us make us less satisfied with life? less appreciative, more unsettled in general.
Living with a little bit less of things fascinates me. I can't say I know how, or that I consistently live this way, but I have observed little glimmers of the satisfaction of enjoying less. Covering my property with annual flowers one season and then struggling to maintain them all versus putting in two pots, one on my deck and one by my front door, maintaining them with ease and focusing on just the two of them.. I can say I think I have as much joy from just the two of them. I appreciate them more and can give them the care that they deserve so they thrive better. Gardening.. we have put in massive gardens that we are unable to keep on top of, or make use of all the bounty when they produce their crop versus putting in 2 tomato plants and savoring each ripening fruit!
This precept from the order of the Benedictines makes you think! Their desire was to "free the body so that the soul could soar". I believe we probably always want more than what is good for us in the end. Experiment with a little "less" of something.. call yourself to stay home one night instead of running to an excitement, and see if your soul is richer for it ... more time for family relationship, more time to sleep and therefore to have a different soul the next day for the people you meet and the things you are called to do. Take one less trip and focus on the one that you have planned. Build a little bit smaller house and make every space useful instead of wasted.. hmm, the great experiment!