Those who had survived the World War II Japanese occupation would have lived through, sadly without much choice, the necessity of simple living. It was reliving our great grandparents’ days of “clear tea and plain rice.” For the majority, the four or more years had taught them that a person could very well get along with two daily meals, a roof over his or her head and clothing to keep warm.

Biblical accounts imply that Jesus has only a few earthly possessions. As for his disciples, they have left theirs behind. The bible also tells us that a young man did not join Jesus and failed to share eternal life because he could not give up his possession and wealth.

St. Anthony set an example by giving up a life of comfort and wealth. He later embraced the austere life of the Franciscan Order. During the last part of his life, he lived a simple life in a tree house. On his dying days, he was lying on a plain bed in a humble monastery.

Our world today naturally cannot be compared to the previous 20th century or to St. Anthony’s 13th century. We need more transportation, communication and health facilities for our daily lives. We also require suitable housing, food, nourishments and other needs for our family and appropriate to the nature of our work. For instance, people don’t expect a bank president to take a tram to work nor a student to take a taxi to school.

There is a tendency, however, for us to go overboard and substitute “what we want” for “what we need.” We often buy the latest branded T-shirts, shoes and apparels even when our wardrobe is already bursting. We crowd our flats with electronic gadgets that we cannot find time to use. On seeing someone with over two dozen pairs of shoes, my friend said:” God will have to make you a centipede (an insect with many legs) for you to wear all these.”

Straying away from simple living invariably distracts our attention from our priorities in life: God, family and fellow-men. Searching and shopping for the best restaurants, latest DVD and CD, the newest gadgets, the latest clothing and other unnecessary things divert our energy and clutter our minds. “Like father, like sons,” and children will follow their parents’ example.

Even too many good things may not necessarily be good. Buying too many books for a child often produce an opposite effect – getting tired of reading. Extra-curricular activities like ballet, piano, tennis, golf and other lessons overcrowd after-school’s schedule and deny a child time for playing or for doing what he or she – not the parents - likes best.

Before writing this article, I frowned on my wife’s suggestion: “when you buy something new, be sure to give the older one away.” This is her way of sharing and more importantly a reminder: “do I need a new one?” Giving away an old but favourite item disciplines me not to hoard material things. Remember the rich man in the gospel who was building a bigger barn to hoard his grain not knowing on that same night his life will be taken?

Hoarding our possession leads to our attachment to material things. And when we have a luxurious, comfortable and abundant life, we do not wish to give it up or to depart for another place – even for a better world. The urge to satisfy our unregulated wants serves as a warning sign and eventually will lead to greed. Excessive consumption stands for greed in disguise.

"To know when I have enough" said Sister Patty McCulloch, M.H.S.H. is her best definition for simplicity. It is synonymous with contentment. You may rightfully point out that “having enough” is a relative term, i.e. different person interprets it differently. As our guide, she referred us to Christ’s familiar gospel teachings. One teaching reminded us that we are the stewards – temporary keeper - of God’s gifts.

But we are more than a steward to our children because God holds us fully responsible. They need help to avoid following blindly what the advertisers tell them. We need to teach them the true meaning of “enough” and that simple living does not mean giving up achievements and challenges. On the contrary, it is a means to keep us focused on the purposes of life. Getting used to a simple living enables children to say “no” to drugs because they don’t have to satisfy their fantasy.

I had experienced losing possessions with sentimental value during WWII and later the uprooting of my family. Prized photographs, books, collectibles and furniture were lost or given to others. As I am preparing myself for the final journey, I shall always remember this saying: “we came to this world with nothing and shall leave it also with nothing.”