Back to Minimalism {Selflessness}

 

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It seems that I have in fact not checked off this step, does one ever? I feel like I'm back in the place where I just have soo much unused stuff that has to go! So I've dropped off literally two van fulls of stuff thrown out a bunch of black garbage bags and I just cannot believe the amount of stuffing in our little house! Granted most of it is in the unfinished basement, but I've still been able to find some things in our living area to get rid of too.

I don't know if it's that we're going to Mexico right away to build a house for a family(that will be another post!), or that we need to get stuff away from the walls in the basement to possibly put up some insulated walls...but regardless, stuff needs to go. I've put up a lot online to sell locally and made just over $350 already in the past 2 weeks so that's nice, but the emotional trauma and stress it puts me through is not nice. My goal was $250 so I kind of feel free to just dump everything at a second hand store now! I mean it is 2 weeks before Christmas, who needs the extra stress right?! Oh well, at least I'm not out Christmas shopping ;)


Ok, so lots going on but I really want to share today about God and Minimalism. Because I believe that they are connected and one point where faith really hits the road. I feel like God is refining the ME out of me and bringing me to a place of selflessness or self forgetfulness.

So here is my conversation with God this morning about 2 things that are really on my heart, Minimalism and Selflessness. I answered first because I apparently thought I was pretty smart, but His answer beats mine! Big surprise right!?

I kept my answer there for you too so that you could see the difference, it was very eye opening for me.

How are Minimalism and Selflessness connected?

 

Olivia: When you aren't thinking about yourself and your stuff you have more time to think about others and spend time on others if you choose to. You need to make it a lifestyle change, the end goal isn't having no stuff it's not being attached to stuff so that you are free to live your life the way you want to. Do not store treasures up on earth that the moth and fire can destroy, instead store up your treasures in heaven. 

God: I would say minimalism is connected to selflessness in every way. The giving of your things, the constant reaching out to others. Living your life on purpose the way it was meant to be lived. There is so much joy and life in that. It is a courageous thing to do. Go leave your father and mother; go leave your piano. You do as I have called you to do and there is so much strength in that. I do not wish for you to store up your treasures here on earth, I want you to store your treasures in heaven with me. I have so much in store for you and this is only one step on your journey. Use it as a tool to find me. Change your thought process to only want the simple, to take joy in the everyday and you will want for nothing. 

**When I say that "God said this" typically for me that means I hear it in my heart. Everyone hears God in different ways**

Babies Don't Keep

A Prayer

Take Hold of Joy

 

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Intentional living

It's not always simple, but it's always full.

Full of life, full of laughter. Full of joy. Your joy is my strength.

You lack nothing; and want for nothing. Because you've made it so. 

Your stuff doesn't own you, you own your stuff (unless you've gotten rid of it that is) 

It takes a deep breath, right in the midst of life, and looks around. 

Looks around at all the messiness of life, the pain, the heartache, the sunshine, the rainbows;

sees it for what it is, and finds joy in it. 

We are all given the same 24 hours, it's what you do with them that matters.

Learn to take hold of joy in the midst of the sorrow and no sorrow will overtake you.

Beautiful Spirit Shine Within

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Don't spend so much time focusing on your outward shell, making it look beautiful and flawless. For your spirit shines from within you. Is your spirit beautiful and flawless? 

What does your spirit look like? Ask God. 

You are your spirit. Your spirit commands your body to go. 

Does your body listen to your spirit? Or does it listen to your mind, your excuses?

I will boast in my weakness that God's strength may be shown in my life.

The Next Step...Health and Fitness

I feel like the next step for Project Organize My Life is to get in shape and be healthy. I have done a TON of research over the past year or so about food and tried a couple different diets out, the ones that appealed to me were Paleo, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegan, Organic, and Whole Foods. I searched for a nutritionist that knew anything other than the government issued food pyramid that is killing us and couldn't find anyone, so I kind of just made up my own ideas about the diet I wanted to eat and went with that.

 
Recently I was at the public library and came across the Omni Diet - basically 70% plant based and 30% protein. And the best part is the author is a nurse and has really done her research! It's just nice to know that the diet I've chosen is actually healthy and not just healthy in my head!
The bad part...it does take a lot of prep to eat like this and I am a busy mom!

So I went to an Isagenix night and learned a bit about them and decided to go for the meal replacement shakes and bars. Not only are they super yummy, they only take 60 seconds to make! You can't beat that!
I'm planning on doing shakes or food for breakfast, shakes for lunch and make food for supper.
I've done a few of the recipes from the Omni Diet for suppers and I really like the meatloaf...it has cashews and macadamia nuts and celery in it! It was amazing!

My Isagenix order this month was: vanilla shake canister, chocolate shake canister, chocolate peanut butter meal replacement bars, face cleanser, and daily face cream. < The face products rock too!!





And I also found this amazing website called Blogilates and trust me, you want to check her out! This girl is amazing and so inspiring! She basically kills me with every workout. Sign up for her newsletter and you'll get the password to the workout calendar every month. Remember...Train like a Beast, Look like a Beauty!!

So that is where I'm at this week. Just working my butt off....literally!

Oh and here's my before pic...

Project Organize My Life: Simplifying and Minimalism...check! {Real Pics!}

The last year and a half I've really focused on that area of my life to get it under control. And I'm baring it all with my before and "after" pictures now!

From 2011:

To January 2012:
 

 To 2013:

And there you have it! 

So I feel like I can check off the simplifying-minimalism step on Project Organize my Life. 

I do still have too much stuff in the basement that I'm hemming and hawing over. I'm considering selling the majority if not all of my baby stuff since we are not planning on having more kids in the next few years. And I'm honestly just excited to see it all go! 

I just want to get down to only what we need and use. 

And maybe someday I'll do a video tour of our house and what we actually own...or don't own!

Fatherhood and Family {Ephesians Devotional}

Ephesians 3:14-15 

.."I kneel before the Father, 

from whom his whole family 

(and fatherhood) in heaven and earth 

derives it's name."

God created PERFECT Fatherhood and 

      PERFECT Family

and at it's core and foundation is God

When you don't know what to do

God does and they're His kids.

Do Not Toil Anxiously

 Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
² It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep.

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This past year I have spent a lot of my time and energy on getting rid of much of our possessions and lately my souls cry has been "more of you God and less of me!" But I have not been able to combine the two. It has actually been a struggle. It felt like minimalism was higher on my priority list that anything else. I just wanted a clean house and then I could do life. How many of you know that is darn near impossible with 4 kids, 2 boxers, 3 cats and 2 rats??
And so I've asked forgiveness for this obsession but, still wanting a clean house, I was not sure how to reconcile this within me. To be clean, but not too clean; to have the house tidy, but not obsess over it; to allow my children to make messes, but not too much mess... this was my problem... until I read this verse. Do not toil anxiously. Wow. That really resonated within my spirit. Every day that I did not seek God's plan for my day I was toiling anxiously. Seriously. God always gives me the perfect to do list when I ask him for it. The to do list I give myself? Way over the top.
And so I have found that resting in Him, asking Him what he wants me to do for today and then striving to do only these things has made an amazing difference.
It's like I'm finally allowed to not have to work myself to the bone all day and night, and fall to bed exhausted, wake early and do it again. But instead I can enjoy the things I was able to get done and know I can do the others on another day without being stressed about them.  It also makes sure that I seek His will for my day each and every day, and in such a practical way. It's the small things that bring us closer together, the daily sacrificing of my own plans and  agenda and letting Him work through me and in me.

Wabi Sabi. Imperfect Homemaking. The Slow Life.

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This has been on my mind and heart for the past few days since discovering the art of wabi sabi on this Pinterest board. I love the rustic and slow life feel. Wood grains, fresh breads, and tea. Raw and bare boned warmth and comfort.

I've been looking at my house with this new perspective, to see the beauty in the imperfection that is my house.
Instead of making myself “learn to live with it” I look with new eyes.

I look through a doorway and see a pair of socks thrown on the floor,
a toy strewn carelessly and dog hairs scattered about.

I look at the living room window and see the smudges from the dogs noses,
and the sun reflecting around paw and foot prints on the laminate wood flooring.

I see the things that I see everyday, the things that drive me crazy with repetition.
Washing the windows again.
Picking up the socks again.
Washing the floors again.

Only this time I don't wash the windows, or pick up the socks, or even wash the floors.

This time I just look.
I think of how my children will only be little for such a short while.
And how boxers really don't live that long.

This time I cherish it.
I love it.

And I will try to remember to do that more often.

Wabi Sabi as defined by Wikipedia "Wabi-sabi (佗寂^?) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete"."

Update: Check out my Slow Life Pinterest Board to see one way that I remind myself everyday of the life I want. 

Spinach Dip

The Ultimate Spinach Dip Recipe :)

 

1 package cream cheese
1/2 package chopped frozen spinach
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 c grated mozza cheese

Preheat oven to 350.
Soften cream cheese. Cream together w everything except mozza cheese. Pour into greased serving dish or into Little Dipper. Top with mozza cheese. Bake 25 min or until top is browned. In Little Dipper just until heated through.

Serve with toasted bread or nachos!