Uncategorized

The challenge: to learn to say, NO!

The ability to say “no” is a hard one in our society. Everyone likes to do this and that and everyone needs someone else to do this for that. We can busy ourselves up all day long by doing requests from everyone else. Sometimes it can get very overwhelming.  

The key to learning to simplify our lives starts with us saying, NO.  If you can’t say NO then you will just keep taking on too many activities, as well as too much stuff.  We just need to learn the power of the word–NO!

Why make the change:

Do you know that no where in the Bible does God say “thou shalt do everything that everyone asks of you, or you shall perish?” Most of our days are filled with running here or running there. Taking our children to youth groups, cookie sales, soccer practice, and visits with friends. Running to church meetings, choir practices, and bible studies.

We could practically fill each and every night with some out-of- the home activities. Now don’t get me wrong, all those activities are fine, in moderation, but when we get so far away from being able to sit and have family dinners, walks outside with our children, and just time to sit and reflect with our Father, those are the times when it is time to say “No!”

How to make the change:

Set a night each week that you don’t schedule anything but together family home time. Practice saying the word “No,” it is quite simple. The next time someone asks you to do something, just say “I’m sorry but I have something on the calendar that day.” Be sure to write on your calendar the word “something” so that you are not lying:)

On those scheduled no days be sure to do something that has everlasting eternal value. Spend some time in Gods word, go for a walk with your husband and hold hands, take your little ones outside and run around playing tag, or take your teenagers fishing. Choose things that are relaxing, free from media influence , and things that will bond you together as a family. You will never regret investing quality time with your family.

The challenge: to simplify your clothing

When I had visited some of the Amish homes I noticed something right away.  These women wore a very basic style dress.  They had an assortment of different patterns and colors but only one style.  There stockings were one color, their shoes one color.  I had to laugh one time as someone had given me one of their dresses to wear and I said, “Oh! I can’t wear that I don’t have any nylons to match the dress.”  I looked quite silly as they wouldn’t worry about “matching” as I did in my heathenistic ways LOL.

What I took away from that was that their wardrobe was simple.  A very basic one.  I don’t dress like I used to before, but I did take many of those simplistic principles with me as I created a wardrobe for myself.

Why make the change:

Having a simple wardrobe means that you can:

• Enjoy everything you wear, everyday.
• Have an easier time picking an outfit in the morning.
• Feel refreshed instead of burdened or overwhelmed when you open your closet.

How to make the change:

I know there are many different ways to simplify your closet, this is how I do it myself.  For those of you that don’t like plain and simple, this might not work for you but for those ready for a change, I challenge you to try my way.

• Pick a staple color as your base wardrobe color.  Mine is brown.
• Keep your undershirts the same color.  I  wear layers of clothing for modesty reasons, I almost always have on a undershirt.  I have about 4 brown colored t shirts to wear under my outfits.
• For bottoms, I have many solid color skirts–brown, jean, and khaki.  I do have some other stylish skirts and the main colors are brown.
• My dresses have browns in them.  When I am shopping I look for those colors and know that I already have an undershirt to go with.  The same for my other skirts, when I keep my theme color brown, then I know that I can mix and match things and since they are the same “base” color they will work together.
• For my summer wardrobe, I spice it up a bit and add purple colors to my wardrobe.
• For shoes, I keep them simple brown.  Brown boots and brown sandals.  Simple.
• For socks, I keep them black.  I should go brown, but haven’t found them yet.  All the same, no worries about unmatched pairs, because they are either ankle socks or knee highs.

By keeping my wardrobe with a staple color has helped me tremendously when shopping because I know what I am looking for and that it will pretty much go with what I have at home.  Simple, basic, and easy.