The idea of living a simpler life came to me in the mid 1990s through an excellent (and very small) book titled Intimacy with the Almighty, by Charles Swindoll. His reflections were founded on Ecclesiastes 7:29 that says, “God has made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Here are a few more thoughts on simplicity that have interwoven their way into my thinking:

• Each day has enough trouble of its own. Focus on getting a few things done well.
• Take time to pause. Take in your surroundings. Take time to listen to and serve others.
• Take periodic vacations. Working hard requires faith. Taking a break requires faith.
• Seek out memories to cherish more than stuff to accumulate.
• If you’re a spender, stretch by saving a little. If a saver, stretch by spending a little.
• Grow in generosity. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Proverbs 13:7 – A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.

Has this given you any ideas on how you can live a simpler life?