simple living

Saturday Snuggle 03.05.16

Posted on by Chadwick and Amy

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Michigan… oh Michigan… How bipolar are you?

Three times in the past two weeks, we have gazed out into our yard and seen all of the sticks on the ground from all of the high winds we got this winter… and then a snow covered landscape… and then all of the sticks on the ground from all of the high winds we got this winter… and then a snow covered landscape… and then all of the sticks on the ground from all of the high winds we got this winter… and then a snow covered landscape…

They say next week is going to be pretty warm… lets hope it sticks.

Not that it should make a big difference to us this weekend, anyways.  We are sick as dogs, and will be spending most of today undercover… either sleeping… or consuming fruits, veggies, juices, and media…

Let’s get started with a video:

This guys name is Randolph Arriola.  Found this video recently, and was like, ‘hell yeah…’ by the skill.  Then got interested in what kind of guitar he was playing.  Stopped by Quinn’s and they helped us identify it as a Godin.  Wheels started turning.  We plan on selling the Martin soon so that Chadwick can get his hands on one of these.

 

With spring approaching, now is a good time to start planning out that spring cleaning.  Check out this great post to get those wheels turning.

If you are in love… or hope to be… and you still read things called books… we highly recommend ZimZum by Rob and Kristen Bell.  Amy ordered this one for us last year and we cruised through it in a weekend.  Over the past couple weeks, it’s landed next to the coffee pot on the night stand, and will be picked up again.

 

And for those of you in between marriages… or into your second one… we know that many folks out there are already filling your head with the, ‘don’t you know that second marriages have a higher divorce rate than first ones?’  It’s one of those things you hear, but don’t really challenge.  Somewhere in the back of your mind can be all the tapes of what went wrong in the first marriage, and you have learned that you don’t want to go through that again.  But your friends… bless their hearts… don’t know what it was like to walk in your shoes in the first place.  Go ahead an politely tune them out… and then move forward.  Here is a nice short read to keep you encouraged as you look for love in all the right places.

To nurture some poetic culture into your life… we’ve taken a liking to Miss Sarah Kay as of late.  Here is a sample:

Also Michigan related this week: it’s time to vote in the presidential primaries on March 8.  Here are a few things you’ll need to know to be educated enough to get to your polling center.  How educated you are beyond that about the candidates or the process… that’s up to you.

Ok… it’s quite possible that climbing out of bed for a turkey sub from Maikes could be in order.  Peace…

 

Pause

Posted on by Chadwick and Amy

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It is important to notice where opportunities for minimalism show up each day.  This should be a practice for us… one that requires daily intention.  There is no doubt that we often times miss the graces that are present in the ordinary because we get so pressed in on by our busyness and the day-to-day duties of life.

There are certain questions that can be kept in front of us that will open our attention to where our desires and desperation’s collide.  In this collision, we will be faced with both temptation and opportunity.  The choice we make will have consequences that will move us one step closer to a simple life, or one step closer to consumerism… again.

These questions can help you to be attentive to your mental state… how your body responds to your environment… and how your emotional baggage plays into the desire to ‘have more’: life… or death.

These questions can help you be aware of what is difficult in your life… what is beautiful in your life… whether it be relational, or material.

These questions are meant for honest reflection about who you are… and who you are becoming.  They can be pulled out at any time of the day.  In any circumstance, whether a quiet moment in nature… or at the local department store as you stand before your next potential purchase… or when you find yourself in the midst a relational issue.

Before you simply react… take some time to pause and ask:

  • How can I experience gratefulness in this moment?
  • How is this moment making me feel ungrateful?
  • Am I able to give and receive love in this moment?
  • Am I not feeling the love at all right now?
  • How is this moment an opportunity to be life-giving?
  • How is the potential of this moment not life-giving?
  • Is this a moment that is leading me to a place where I am going to be fulfilled?
  • Is this a moment that is leading me to a place where I am going to be disconnected?
  • Am I experiencing a temptation in this moment?
  • Am I experiencing an opportunity in this moment?

These simple questions can used in those times of life where you need to pause before moving in a direction.  They can assist you in that moment of tension (or moments of tension) during the day where you may be faced with freedom or bondage to things… time… and relationships.

It’s worth it to pause.

Your perspective and sense of direction for who you are becoming can only happen when you stop to listen throughout your day.  The call to minimalism is a perpetual state of forward motion and growth.  Without intention, the gravity of consumerism and busyness will undoubtedly pull you back in.

This kind of awareness will keep you in touch, and draw you into the person that you were created to be.  When you recognize that the raw material of your day-to-day life is all that you really need to live, you will continue to move into the call and design of who you are.

What is your story… we would love to know.  If you are able, tackle one or two of them in the comment section below… or email us.   It is our desire to offer you the opportunity to share your story… through blog post, YouTube video, podcast, etc…

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