THE TESTIMONY OF SIMPLICITY arose from Friends’ conviction that avoiding over-dependence on possessions and self-indulgence would better enable us to open ourselves to God. It is a way of organizing one’s life—of setting priorities. It asks us to step back, to free ourselves from emotional and physical clutter, from “busy-ness,” so that we may discern what is truly essential. Furthermore, we are asked to free ourselves and others from all messages and agendas of fear and anxiety. “It implies clarity, calm and focus, rather than distraction, stress and excess.” (Earlham College Community Principles and Practices) 

 

At Friends, the testimony of simplicity is a tool to help us navigate the demands of a frenetic, multi-tasking culture and our busy daily schedules, finding a healthy, productive balance among our uses of time, attention, energy and technology. We are challenged by this testimony to create the space, within the School and within ourselves, where we can interact creatively with that culture: “to be good stewards of all our resources, including our own time, energy and talents.” (Earlham Principles and Practices)