I love words.  I love seeing connections and sharing what I see.

Today I have been pondering how to push back against the busy-ness this Season often brings. Well more like how to push back and not feel bad about saying No or choosing Not to do something.

I’ve been pondering the simplicity of the night when Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem.  You may know the story well.  Two young newlyweds traveling to his home town to register for the Roman census. They lived in a time when distractions were few but the effort to simply live was huge.  Every aspect of life was more work than we are used to in this present day American culture.  Food, transportation, and lodging all took a lot of time and physical effort.  Simply living truly meant staying alive.

Bethlehem—House of Bread.  Bread of Life.  Basic, foundational needs.  Met simply that we might simply live.

To slow down and take time to reflect is almost an oxymoron in the midst of the busy-ness this Season of the year usually holds.  The end of the year brings its own demands: change in weather, planning for taxes, end of term in school, work parties, school plays, musical performances, shopping for presents, planning for guests coming; I could go on but I’m getting weary reviewing all this!

Today, we are far from simply living as in the journey to the House of Bread for Joseph & Mary and turning the phrase to living simply takes on a different meaning.  It means less stuff, less distractions, and more opportunity to have margin.  We have more freedom to choose today than those young newlyweds had.  But do we use it or do we allow externals to control our internals?

Living simply allows your choices to be choices rather than obligation driven.

How do you get to living simply?  Away from busy-ness and toward the simplicity of Bethlehem?

Examine your motives for saying Yes to things this Season.  If you are feeling driven by externals, by the busy-ness, you may be doing things for the wrong reasons.  It’s okay to say No once in awhile.  Give yourself permission to live simply.  You just might have space to ponder the peace and joy that entered the world at the end of Joseph & Mary’s journey.

If you’re not sure how to start, or want to talk it out, click over to the Contact Me page on my website and we’ll start a conversation to simplify your life!