Simplifying Life

Hey bloggy friends!   It’s raining cats & dogs here, thanks to hurricane Ida.   We can always use the rain, but 4-6 inches at once is a bit much for most people.  But I really  love rainy days like this.  

I have been on a quest to try to simplify my life a bit.  I have always tried to live a simple life, but somewhere along the way I picked up some extra baggage.  Now I need to dispose of it and try to make a fresh start.  It’s time to get back to the basics and not let other things creep back in to take up my time.

I have been doing better at not being on the computer so much.   I do enjoy being online and there is always something fun & interesting to do.  But that can also keep me from doing things I should be doing, if I’m not careful.  

I am my own keeper, and its time for me to make some changes.   With so much going in my life that I cannot control, its time to take advantage of what I CAN control. 

I want to keep my focus on my family, friends & home, and also work on my relationship with the Lord.   Every aspect of our lives has suffered due to things beyond our control.  I want to try to make it  less noticeable in our daily living.   The Serenity Prayer comes to mind and I am trying to remind myself of it every day. 

One change will be less time spent worrying, and more praying.  I am a natural worrier, but I want to try to stop doing this so much.  I know it’s not healthy.  

Another thing is de-cluttering.   I know i have too much stuff in this house.  I have reached the point of suffocation with it!   That’s not a good thing.   So I will be disposing of some possessions.   Things are just that, things.  I need more peace in my life, not more things!

I may have an online yard sale soon, if time permits.  So stay tuned for that.  Maybe some of my things will work for someone else. 

I will no longer be visiting some online forums where I have spent countless hours in past.   I have enjoyed it, but I really do not have time to do those things anymore.  They are awesome sites, but I feel the need to step away from them at this time.

I am also going to let my magazine subscriptions run out and not renew them.  As much as I enjoy them, I get a lot more from visiting my online friends & blog friends, and a more realistic view of how things can be done.   And that alone will save some money for my family, so its a plus!

I am trying to cook more healthy  meals for my family.  I’m spending more time reading my Bible and other literature and less time watching tv.    I’m making a conscious effort to get a little more exercise, even if it means just walking in the yard.   I am purposely avoiding the thrift stores, because I do not need anything.   And I am consciously trying to save money whenever and wherever possible.  

I want to stop letting worry and sadness fill my daily life.   Our family has had a lot to be sad about, and our lives have been dramatically & irreversibly altered by the actions of others.   But there has to be a way to find peace and heal so we can put the pain & sadness behind us and learn to be happy again.

I think the first step in doing this is to realize that even in the midst of this turmoil, we can still stop and count our blessings, as I mentioned in my last post.  

So I am reverting  back to the simple things in life and hope to help my family overcome some of the hard stuff.  

If you have any other ideas to help simplify, please share them.   There is an old saying that says,   “ ‘Tis a gift to be simple.”     That’s how I want to live from now on.  

Have a great day and be blessed!