Sometimes it is easy to think that living a "simple life" is all about giving things up. To some extent that is very true. We have chosen to "give up" many things that a majority of Americans live with. Some of the things we live without are a bit more radical (such as NOT using our furnace) and some are pretty easy (such as not eating out much). My favorite thing to live with out is DEBT!! We only have our very affordable mortgage and a SMALL work truck loan that will be paid off soon. Talk about less stress than when we began our journey to simplicity 6 years ago!
Instead of focusing on giving things up we choose to focus on enjoying what we choose to keep. For example, my husband and I both LOVE coffee. We do not buy coffee out, but instead choose to ENJOY good coffee made at home for a fraction of the cost. I even splurge and buy real half and half to put in my coffee. Every morning we enjoy a nice cup of coffee together in our own kitchen and Chris packs a thermos to go along with him to work. We have travel mugs that we put to use also. We ENJOY the coffee we make at home and don't lament about "not being able to stop at starbucks". I have also experimented with some great coffee recipes and make a mean Frozen Mocha Frapachino!
Choosing Simplicity is about BALANCE! Some things you give up, some things you keep. The bottom line is that we really ENJOY and appreciate the things we keep in our life. We choose to have a POSITIVE attitude and focus on ENJOYING life rather than have discontentment for all the things we don't have. There are days that one of use will slip into discontentment, but it doesn't take long to get back on track when we are reminded of the many wonderful blessings of living a simple life.
Last night my husband and I went out on a date! We did eat out (!) and we ENJOYED it!! However, we also enjoy our times out when we eat at home before we leave. It really is all in the way we CHOOSE to enjoy it.
ENJOY what you have in your life and CHOOSE carefully what you keep. I have been surprised by how much sheer delight I can have in the most simple of things.
Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather
ENJOY supper together with your family!!!! Download your FREE copy of my February Simple Family Supper menu plan kit E-book today!
7 comments:
"Instead of focusing on giving things up we choose to focus on enjoying what we choose to keep."
That's some wise counsel, my friend!
Thanks, Tammi!
Living a simple life IS a true blessing.
And, I'm with you on the coffee...it's a simple pleasure my husband and I GREATLY enjoy every morning!
Blessings to you!
Marsha
LIKE☺LIKE☺...and I think you just inspired me to back off my Starbucks habit (but I refuse to give up my diet coke☺)!
Leanne.... I know how much you love your coffee... and your diet Coke!! I love my regular coke and enjoy the one I drink every afternoon! I don't know what your starbucks favorite is, but there are a ton of great coffee recipes out there. Have fun enjoying your GREAT coffee at home!!!
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