Living by a few simple principles

After a demanding day, I committed myself to carving out some space and time to stop feeling the pressure of my to-do list. I decided to take a walk, not to “get my exercise in,” but simply to walk, breathe in some fresh air, listen to the sounds around, and let my mind wander and float.

Of course, thoughts of the day followed me along, but I didn’t let them take over. Rather, I tried to receive them lightly, and to focus on my senses: the chirping of the early summer birds, the fog horn in the distance, and the feeling of my feet walking along a path. It felt so good to be walking, so free. The spirituality of the walk eased the pressure I was feeling.

Towards the end of my walk, my thoughts started to wander back to something that disturbed me during the day. I paused. I asked myself the question: What principles do you want to live by every day?

I thought about my meeting a few years ago with Matthew Kelty, a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani. He is a passionate man, who gives evening talks to the visitors at the monastery. Kelty loves to recite poetry and tell stories. He grew up in Massachusetts and always went sailing as a boy.

One evening, he told a small group of us that one of the things he remembered most about sailing was the constant need to course correct. Throughout his forty years as a monk, he had also found that the same was true with the spiritual life. He shared with us his daily experience of trying to stay true to himself and what he believed in.

“Live by a few simple principles,” he said, several times over.

As I continued my walk, I felt in good company, remembering the words of this monk and remembering the need to faithfully course correct. I asked myself: What principles do I want to live by?  I want to contribute to peace, my own inner peace and the peace around me. I want to live a life that is based on the principles of love.

Perhaps, you’d like to ask yourself,  What few principles do you want to live by? What a simple question, but what a profound answer. Take a long walk and see what you discover.