Less is More part 3

​Simplification is serious business. It requires diligence to evaluate our lifestyles and to identify what overwhelms and stresses us out. Once identified, our goal should be to make a plan to eliminate the unnecessary hurriedness and to practice slowing down. Becoming aware of the routine moments and savoring them as opposed to blowing through them absentmindedly takes some work. These moments add up to our lives. How are we spending them? Do we consider them to be mundane or remarkable?
One thing I am becoming painfully aware of is how I multitask from the moment my feet hit the floor until I pass out at night. I don’t think I considered reading scripture and eating breakfast at the same time to be a bad thing, But I am finding how much more rewarding  these two activities are when done separately. Part of the less is more implementation for me is slowing…… everything….. down…. Obviously not to a snail’s pace, or nothing would get accomplished, but to live consciously in the moments. To experience my coffee, not to slug it down medicinally; to savor my breakfast with gratitude; to breath, focus and ground myself; to read scripture with devoted attention.
 Prioritizing and compartmentalizing even the smallest parts of my day is helpful in setting a calmer tone and creating a gentler mindset. I have recently added a 10 minute practice of meditations to my morning routine. This time of purposeful sitting still, emptying my mind and focusing only on my breathing is amazingly calming. This followed by reading and studying God’s Word and, on a good day, a walk or workout prepares me for a day’s work better than rushing around like a mad woman. Granted my time as a stay at home mom is more flexible than some of yours, but this type of plan and mindset is possible for everyone. Separating the activities you already do may back up your alarm by 15 minutes, or require 2 fewer hits of the snooze button, but a stress free start to your day will mean increased joy and productivity. Give it a shot. I pray it grounds you in gratitude as it has me.

Slow down. Receive His blessings. Share the overflow. Bless others with a more chill you! Have a blessed day. 
Jesus illustrates the greater importance of sitting quietly and learning from Him, as compared to busily completing tasks in this telling of events in Mary and Martha's home.
​The answers to everything are found in His Word! 
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[d] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[e] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”