Depth: An Introduction
You see how few things you have to do to live a satisfying and reverent life?
Marcus Aurelius
Hello All,
Here we are in February, and it seems fitting to be writing about Depth this week, as here in Minnesota we are headed into a week of deep cold.
Most winters here we get a taste of the arctic cold. Not just chilly. Not just single-digits. Below-zero cold. Days where the high temperature is still subzero. Deep cold.
The questions I ask myself get pretty simple when it’s like this.
Do I actually need this item?
Do I really need to bundle up and leave the comfort of my blanket and mug of tea?
Is this experience worth braving the bitter temperatures?
Or can I just stay home and stay warm?
Deep cold divides my needs and wants nicely. I’m not going out on a whim for something extra or unnecessary.
The idea of Depth in our lives can be similarly clarifying. Going deep requires us to question, to choose, to eliminate the fluff.
We live in a culture of FOMO.
Of “try everything.”
Of “have you seen the latest?”
Of more, more, more.
Of new, new, new.
It’s easy to become distracted and with seemingly endless choices, it seems natural to keep adding on to our lives.
Another pastime. Another podcast.
Another experience. Another email list.
Another activity. Another app.
Another friend group. Another game. Another goal.
Another subscription. Another social media account.
Another habit. Another blog.
Last month, I received multiple invites to new online services, promoting their app or their lists or their group.
"Join now!
Get recommendations on
books!
movies!
foods!
Let us tell you
our favorite pens to write with!
our favorite notebooks to write in!
our favorite shows to watch!
our favorite series to binge!
Let us show you how to
listen to the best music!
subscribe to the best podcasts!
read the best blogs!
make the best food!”
Just looking at all the offerings felt overwhelming.
I don’t want more recommendations and more things to try.
I want to savor what I already have, and appreciate who I already know and love.
I’m not closing myself off to new people or new experiences. I am getting focused on what’s most important.
Because it’s not More that brings meaning and significance to our lives, it’s Depth.
Deciding which aspects of our lives deserve our biggest chunks of attention, energy and resources allows us to live richly in those spaces, rather than spreading ourselves thin and shallow.
Tell me:
What aspects of your life feel cluttered and shallow?
What facets of your life feel rich and deep?
Which do you need more of right now?
