“I am pursuing minimalism. I want less, and I want simplicity, and I want to spend my days connecting and caring, not consuming and completing.”
— Erin Loechner, Chasing Slow
“The first step in crafting a life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t.”
— Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist
Last Friday night I went to our local Arts Center documentary movie called “Honeyland.” The protagonist was a Macedonian woman who respected and successfully kept bees for her subsistence. The cinematography was beautiful. The plot was evocative. However, I was most struck by how little the woman needed to survive. She was content with so little “stuff”. I left the theater feeling like an overindulgent, spoiled American. Lately I’ve had the ongoing urge to get rid of more and more of my stuff. I don’t know if this is a reaction from living in Morocco, a prompting from the Holy Spirit, or a reaction to getting older. (You can’t take it with you!)
So what’s the big deal about clearing out our stuff? There are great benefits according to Joshua Becker who writes the Becoming Minimalist blog. Having less stuff helps you to focus your heart, energy, and resources on what’s important to you. You most likely will have more money, less debt, and less stress. You have more time to listen to God and to do those things that you love to do. Finally, you will leave a smaller ecological footprint on our precious planet.
“Do not store up treasures here on earth where moths eat them, rust destroys them, and thieves break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” said Jesus. Wisest of words for even today’s world. Stop the constant consuming before it consumes you!
This is so very difficult in our culture where we are bombarded daily with advertisements and propaganda for more and more. Having more does not necessarily guarantee happiness. This has been scientifically proven and is discussed in the documentary, Happy, in which Roko Belic travels around the world, searching for the meaning of happiness. His conclusions are surprising! I don’t want to give it away, but his conclusions run counter to the expression “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
So the challenge for us this week is to think about paring down our stuff. Where could we start? Spend some time in silence and listen for answers. Think about the clothes that you haven’t worn in the last year and if you really need them. Watch the movie or listen to the podcast listed below. Join the 30 day email course designed to help you simplify your life which is also listed below.
You are not alone in this! ❤️❤️
Would love to read your comments or suggestions about simplifying your life.
Good luck!! – Carol
(WONDERFUL INFORMATION. TAKE A LOOK!!)
Becoming Minimalist (The 30 Day Course) – Joshua Becker
What I’ve Learned From A Digital Declutter – Emily McDermott
Only the Good Stuff: Multivitamins for Your Weekend – Ann Voskamp
Wake Up! 