
Beachy Beach November Love Note
(Originally published November 17, 2016)
Dear Sweet BBs,
Lacey bought me a book, Simplify by Bill Hybels. I think she had a motive behind it, and I further believe she has seen in me a need to slow down and take a breath and simplify. For me, it seems that the most valuable time to try to tap into simplicity is when life is as complicated as it can be… when the mountains are high and the valleys are low, and you are really praying for a boring plateau.
I think that some of us are somewhat addicted to the chaos of a life that is overflowing with too much, too fast. We type-A humans think that we are not doing what we are supposed to do unless we are tapped out, tired out, and spun out. We do not know the power of that one simple word NO… and we should say NO, not because we do not want to give value to the world, but rather so that we can say YES to what we are really designed for.
Turns out it is hard to know what you are here for if you never stop to listen and wait. I admit I am not good at waiting, and I would rather do and do more and do more. Turns out I keep getting subtle hints - and not so subtle bams on the head - that there is a better way. Sometimes, we know that a slower paced simpler life is the answer, but we are not so sure how to navigate that... Especially if you have one speed: WIDE OPEN.
I love this in Bill Hybel's book, "Simplified living is about more than doing less. It's being who God called us to be, with wholehearted, single-minded focus. It's walking away from innumerable lesser opportunities in favor of the few to which we've been called and for which we've been created. "
I am really focusing on what I say YES to these days, and the darn thing about that is I have to say that other word NO. I don't really care for the word NO as I want to climb every mountain and cross every chasm. I don't want to miss anything that this life has for me. I know now however, to really be available for what I am called to do, I have to be selective. That is a challenge, and one that can ONLY be met by taking a breath, asking for guidance, and being still long enough to listen.
My prayer is that I can say YES to more opportunities to be kind and loving, more places to give my resources to that resonate as my calling. I want to subtract that which does not bring value and add more that does bring value. I want to unclutter my life so that I can unclutter my soul.
Holiday time gets more filled up than ever so this is a good time to say ahhh, be thankful, and learn to say no so we can say YES to the most important. What is important to me is all of you and the gratitude I have for you choosing to do this adventure with me.
So Very Grateful,