If you could choose one word as a goal word for your life, what would it be? Simplify seems like an excellent choice. I’ve recently devoured this book by Bill Hybels.It’s title; Simplify: Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul
The thing I loved most about this book is that it is so applicable to all the areas of our life. Our finances, our children, our ministry opportunities, our jobs, our extracurricular fun and so on.
How many of you if asked right now, “Are there areas of your life that you would like to slow down, make less busy?” I bet 80% of people would respond with a resounding “Yes!”
Questions to ask:
- Am I placing too much emphasis on the kids and their activities? Is it causing our family too much stress and pressure as we run out the door every night and forget how to slow down and enjoy each other?
- Am I consistently planning ‘fun’ stuff? Is every weekend booked and you’re planning the next project before the last one is done? I’m totally guilty of this. By nature I just want to go and do. And sometimes I remember that we simply can not go, go, go all the time without feeling burnt out.
- Do you have a day of rest? If you can’t remember the last time you had a day of rest. Raise the flag. You need to slow down. God designed the entire world with a few words spoken and yet he knew how important it was to stop and rest. Now just once every now and then but once every week. Set aside a day as Sabbath and rest. Relax. Renew your mind. Remember your purpose.
- Are you putting too much emphasis on things that don’t really matter? This can apply in so many different areas. Too much effort put in getting to the next level at work. Too much time spent on beautifying the back yard yet neglecting your family. Too much time wasted on social media and not enough real conversation with the children. Too much time shopping and not enough time investing in your marriage.
I’m making an extra effort to clear out the clutter in my soul and on my calendar. I’m making the extra effort to only focus on what truly matters in life. If it doesn’t line up with my top priorities it probably needs to be eliminated.
There’s way too many important things in life to be concerned about the mediocre things.
So I’m slowing down to appreciate what really matters.
So I ask you what are some ways you want to slow down and simplify your life? I can’t wait to hear!
Love and blessings,
Melanie
xo
I received this book for free from Tyndale for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I love this! I am all about a simple life. Simpler is better : )
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
I am SO guilty of planning the next project before the current one is done, and that’s especially true after moving into our new-to-us but old house. Thanks for the book recommendation!