Monday, December 31, 2012

Welcome 2013


“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”   ~Albert Einstein

“The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”   ~Thomas Moore

There is no greatness where there is no simplicity.”   ~Leo Tolstoy

“Nothing is true, but that which is simple.””   ~Johann von Goethe

“Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.”   ~Henry David Thoreau

“Simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus.”   ~Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Proverbs 13:7
The Message (MSG)

A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;
    a plain and simple life is a full life.

Zechariah 8:14
The Message (MSG)

Keep Your Lives Simple and Honest
14-17 A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
“In the same way that I decided to punish you when your ancestors made me angry, and didn’t pull my punches, at this time I’ve decided to bless Jerusalem and the country of Judah. Don’t be afraid. And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.”
Simplicity is the theme the Lord has placed upon my heart for this coming year. It has been uncanny how this word, this philosophy has turned up so very many times this past month or so. I am sure it is a "God-Thing".

Sometimes I will watch one of those "Hoarder" programs on television. I can feel myself becoming uncomfortable and then I am consumed with wanting to purge and sort and eliminate things from my life. Things that require care and time and space. Do I own them or do they own me?  In fact, I'm looking at my desk at this very moment and beginning to hyperventilate!

Husband will be at an annual conference this coming week. To keep myself busy I will attempt to purge items for an upcoming G.R.O.J. Sale this spring. G.R.O.J. = Get Rid of Junque! 

I've been reading Simplify by Joshua Becker and he makes sound arguments for a more minimalist life style. Among them is the fact that at some point someone will need to go through all our possessions once we've passed on. Who will it be? What do I want them to find? Will my house be in order? Not that it matters in the scope of eternity, but I think I prefer to either give items to those who may want them or to have the aforementioned sale. I want to be a good steward of those possessions I have and frankly, I need to pare it down.

We will be leaving for Phoenix in a bit so Husband can catch his flight to Atlanta on Wednesday. We will be hotel living for a bit, then I will return tomorrow and work on Wednesday. Hotels are often wonderful examples of simplicity, so I will be taking notes!

May your New Year be warm, blessed and safe.

Simply yours,
Tamara

2 comments:

  1. I'm doing the same as you (hyperventilating as I look at my desk.)
    Simplify...simplify. I am going to do that, my friend. Thank you.
    Safe traveling to Phoenix, and a safe flight to Atlanta for your husband.
    May God continue to bless you both.
    Love to you,
    Jackie

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  2. I need to simplify as well. It's been heavy on my heart. My life is cluttered as well as my closets ;) I definitely long for simplifying. Happy New Year! xo

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