Simplicity

There are many definitions or opinions of what simplicity means.

Within the context of living in voluntary simplicity, there are several things that make it appealing, it is about reclaiming your own lifestyle from what the world demands you do, make, have, own, etc. it is about freedom, it is about living with less of what money can buy with the idea of "yes we have the money to purchase that, but do we really need it?" instead of just spending because wants and needs are confused or merged together in a pile of "this is what I have to have to live" true simplicity is an internal desire of wanting less.

Here is one excercise you can do to give some thought on this:

You and your spouse make a list of 10 activities that you enjoy the most. Then make a list of 10 activities that occupy or take up most of your time. Then compare those lists together in a family counsel discussion. This exercise might be all you need to get off the world's merry go round. Then you can both see that it is time to stop going around in circles and get headed straight toward what you both really want and want to do. Doing what you really want to do can make having things - possessions seem a lot less important or high priority. With having fewing things, it will lead to having more time to do what your passion really is.

Frugality will come easier and you will find that time in reality is better than money and possessions.Some might call this the "road less traveled" or "conscious simplicity" and the secret for this success is in the choices one makes and commits to them. Those choices can include

1. A real and true desire to simplicity. You could start by writing down the top then things you would like to do, then the top ten ways you spend your days now - if there is a desire for more time to pursue the things you really would like to do, then simplify.

2. A financial plan for paying the bills. finding work that one is passionate about is a key here - doing work that each one likes, allows one to enjoy the time at work and to have a positive attitude toward budgeting and bill paying.

3. A willingness on both your part and your spouse's part to reduce your household spending. The time to step back and consider your spending and consider whether a potential purchase is really worth the hours it will require to pay for it workwise. Ask yourself if you are trying to "keep up" with the world herd or is this a true need that will better each family member. When the need for more cash/money is reduced, it will beocme possible to pursue the work or career that has only been dreamed about beforehand.

4. A plan in place for emergencies. responsibility when it comes to medical care - having what one needs in health insurance, even with high deductible or higher co-pays is still worth it, including working out a payment plan to health care providers should an emergency arise. Setting up a personal savings account for emergencies that is not touched otherwise but only used for emergencies that include medical

5. A willingness on both your parts to step out and experiment. Things like learning new skills - ie changing your own oil, checking over the fluid levels, brake repair, etc. Learning how to make your own cereal, bake bread, paint a dwelling place inside and out, doing simple decorating, home sewing, making your own art decor ie self photograpy, water color paintings, sketches and drawings, home quilting, etc. Other things like alternative transportation to work, taking lunches, using the library, bike riding for errands, etc.

6. Sense of community with others - networking within a community of individuals that share like values can offer a support system, and it can be gratifying to be able to lend a helping hand. Also, having the skills of others will help - you can learn from them and become more involved in your community to be of aid or assistance as the need arises for things like food co-ops, co-op gardens, etc.

7. A stick to it plan when you want to induldge- having simplicity and freedom in living does not mean deprivation. Planning for fun times - mini vacations or educational travel, etc. need to be put into the seasonal equasion of living - and it becomes a learning process of the old addage "you can have either ......or ....... but not both. "

8. Use your faith actively. Be God-minded, be willing to come together in prayer every day for your daily needs, asking God to show the way, open the doors and then both of you having the willingness to walk in faith thru them. Having less worries over financial matters when you feel "below your comfort" level in the bank account. Sharing with your church, fellowship or community when there are real concerns, needs that must get met within a time frame. Using the support system of the greater Body of Christ through prayer groups, links, etc.

A few guidlines for living in voluntary simplicity may include these:

1. Do not let any material thing come into your home unless it is an absolute need. Purchasing, maintaing, insuring, storing and disposing of "stuff" sucks up time, energy and money.

2. Live in a home that accomodates your daily needs not your wants. Spending time, energy, money for a place that is larger than one's true needs will divert resources from those priorities that would be more fufilling in your life.

3. Limit your work outside or inside the home to the least possible amount of hours, especially if you have decided to have a family and be a parent. To live a balanced spiritual life, one must have rest time - the time to dram, to relax, to prepare a meal without rushing, to take a long walk. When a day is scheduled or structured with down time, then the daily activities or routines will be more productive and meaningful.

4. Try to be a conscious good steward of where you live and work by not having to travel more than 30 min. to and from. Commuting time can be wasted time, unless you do something useful while driving like listening to audio tapes for spiritual edification, having specific prayers in mind before getting behind the drivers' seat. Preserve your own energy, time and money for more rewarding life experiences than commute time.

5. Put a limit on the children's extracurricular activities. If this is not done, one or both of you will be exhausted and the children will grow up thinking they need constant stimulation in their lives to "live"

6. Spend time away from the city or urban life - getting away from the crowds, traffic and buildings - call it nature time or or just time to be going into the natural world and seeing creation as God sees it.

7 Do what you need to do, must do to connect and maintain a sense of spiritualty in your life - whether it is prayer, biblical studies, mediation or journal writing, the deeper you go, it will cultivate within you a greater need to simplify. Training yourself to practice silence and solitude each day with the Lord and His Word will grow and enhance your spiritual life progressively.

8. Seek the support from others who also want to simplificy their lives - creat a simplicity network for interaction - letting each other know how life is going is essential - it is an espirit de corps or commerraderie that is needed and is missing in today's American culture.

9. Learn and practice saying NO. Say no to the things that will not bring you and your spouse inner peace and fufillment - be dependent upon the Lord as you do this. Be vigilant with your time and money because they are limited resources which cannot be gotten back again. Sometimes saying yes to one thing leads to a saying of no to something else that may not be good or right for you. Live with a biblical perspective and mind set which is deliberate surrender, humbleness and willingness before God.

God Bless You~~

-- Dawn