I'd had it with corporate manipulation, hypocrisy, and the bottom line philosophy. While I alternated between fear and relief, I grew to realize that this could be the answer I'd been seeking, and if I had the courage, I'd been given an opportunity to significantly change my life and find a better way. Life changing events often push us into an intense spiritual search in our drive to find answers. I began a quest for new purpose and meaning, and I scoured libraries and poured through hundreds of books and websites, often falling asleep at night emotionally exhausted. My desire for new direction was insatiable, but my resistance was deeply rooted and acceptance of the necessary changes was gradual.
All spiritual traditions distill the essence of simplicity.
I began to understand Ghandi's words 'we should live simply so that others may simply live'. It seemed that the word 'simplify' jumped out at me continuously. I recalled the nuns who'd taught me in school about the simple lives of holy men and women, and who themselves had led simple, unadorned lives dedicated to the service of others. I paid off my debts, condensed my possessions, and rented a small apartment. I started an investment business and dedicated more of my increased free time to volunteer work.