Definition of Simple Living
Definition of Simple Living
It’s the time of year when we tend to reflect on what we are thankful for. This month I’ve seen some posts going around on Facebook where people will say one thing they are thankful for each day. While of course I think it’s perfect that we are thankful for our friends and family and anything else I’ve seen, I wonder how much of that we are just saying and how much of it we are really feeling.
As wives, are we truly thankful for our husbands? That they support us and provide for our families, are we thankful they make the sacrifice of family time each day to be able to bring in an income?
Are we thankful for the roof we have over our heads? The ability to stay warm in the winter and dry when it rains? Are we thankful that we have beds and blankets to sleep in and rooms to gather in?
Are we thankful for the income we have, no matter how small? Do we appreciate that we even have the ability to work?
Are we thankful for the food we have on our tables? The ability to get all kinds of produce all year round. Or to be able to eat the foods we like and be able to eat as healthy as we care to?
Are we thankful for the little things in life? Socks that keep our feet warm, the ease of being able to communicate with those that are far away, kitchen appliances that make our lives easier, cars that get us from place to place.
Are we thankful that we can look towards the future? That we can remember no matter what our situation is right now that the future holds many unknowns and it’s there for the taking.
Life is not a piece of cheesecake. As I ponder the definition of simple living, I realize we have plenty of opportunities to be down and out about our situations. And I’m not saying that we should always be a sunny peach about life! It’s the trials we have to go through that make us stronger, that make us remember who we are, who we need to be, and how to be thankful. And it’s the very definition of simple living that brings us back to a happier state of mind. To remember these things that we are thankful for.
If you’d like to lead a more simple life I would highly recommend that you check out my workbook, 31 Days to Simpler Living. In it you can find 31 days of tips and tricks that will help you lead a simpler life no matter where you live or who you are.
Here are some other simple tips for simple living:
What are you truly thankful for and what is your definition of simple living?
I’m thankful for learning to sew, and for (hopefully LOL) finishing my first skirt today! I’m thankful for the ability to learn new skills that are both fun and practical. I’m thankful for a family that understands how much more priceless the home-made gifts are than the store bought plastic crap. I’m thankful (so incredibly thankful!) that our children understand the idea of giving and receiving, and aren’t complaining about getting rid of toys in anticipation of the coming glut over Christmas. I’m thankful I have not one but two turkeys in the freezer, and one ham that we got marked down to the point we could actually afford it! I’m thankful for the finished and half-finished projects for Christmas and Yule. 🙂
I am thankful for my restored health. I am thankful that I do not have food allergies anymore and I am not allergic to just about everything I come into contact with. We are living a different life and we are all thankful for it. I am also thankful for the restored health of both of my daughters and the fact that we only have to cook one meal for everyone on a holiday now. It sure was a challenge in the past with three separate sets of food allergies!
I’m thankful for children who would rather curl up with a book or create art than watch TV; for children and a husband who work hard; for the joy that comes in making homemade things for my family (my son asked for a sour cream pound cake with homemade chocolate sauce for his birthday—how cool is that?!). For health, friends, life and the encouragement and ideas I’ve found on this site.
I’m thankful for LIFE and all that it has given me… Aside from the material necessities, I’m especially thankful for my family, the people that have passed through, friends and foes… Friends, because they’re always there, if not in body, then in spirit… Foes, because they taught me more about accepting the good and not so good issues in life…
I am thankful for good health. My home and family . my faith and my church. I am also thankful for my friends and the ability to find joy in the small things.
I am thankful that with God’s help as I focused on my health and my family’s health to a greater degree in the last two years. We have had much healing. I am thankful for our home-school graduate and our younger son with all the gifts they have been given. Neighbors, friends, and church community. I am thankful, for my husband’s willingness to work at a very challenging job for more than twenty years. I tell him quite often. Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus, my Lord and Savior, for being my rock through thick and thin, good and seemly very difficult times.
I am most thankful for the freedom to worship God and to the men and women who make that possible.
Your thoughts put to words are beautifully said. Thank you, I needed that today. I’ve had an eye opener which wasn’t pleasant with a member of my family today, and it had me down a bit. Remembering that we truly are blessed is reassuring. Thank you again. 🙂
Yes, I thank God for Jesus and I am thankful for everything you mentioned Merissa. Thank you for your emails. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoy them, Betty!
Thank you Merissa.