Joshua Becker's Blog, page 122

More Meditation. More Gratitude. Better Living.

“All of man’s difficulties are caused by his inability to sit, quietly, in a room by himself.” —Blaise Pascal

The life worth living is one centered on the passions and values we hold most dear. And that is why meditation matters.

Many people go through life with no clear sense of their true values. Instead, their lives are molded by the voices that bombard them each day from the Internet, television, radio, magazines, and celebrities. Their desires are ever-changing and are quickly swept away by the newest fashion, most recent technology, or opportunity for financial gain. Their lives are no longer centered on their personal passions and values.

In contrast, firm conviction leads to an intentional life. It is not tossed about by the culture. It is built on the things you hold truest in your heart. And no new advertising campaign is able to shake it.

Meditation provides the opportunity to find that conviction. It slows our mind, calms our spirit, and centers our soul. It removes our mind from the culture of consumption that surrounds us and centers us on something greater and more fulfilling. It draws us out of the finiteness of the visible and dares to connect our souls with the invisible. It provides opportunity to identify our desires, articulate our values, and align our pursuits accordingly.

In meditation, our mind gravitates towards the more important things—the most valuable. Rarely, in meditation, do we dream of nicer cars, bigger closets, larger wardrobes, or more expensive watches. Instead, we naturally focus on our souls, our families, our friends, our health, our significance, and our greatest ambitions. And that is why meditation matters.

Another benefit of meditation is that it leads to gratitude. Gratitude leads to contentment. And a contented heart is free to pursue anything it desires.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture that preaches discontent. A society built on the foundation of consumerism must attack gratitude—only if they can sow discontent in our lives can they sell us on their new product or latest version with new improvements. But those who find gratitude in their current existence will be less influenced by those empty promises.

A grateful heart admits that there are bigger forces at play in our lives than our own accomplishments and that we are who we are today because of the sacrifice and investment of others. Gratitude grounds us and focuses our lives on others.

It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. And that gratefulness quickly leads to a satisfied, simplified, focused life.

More meditation. More gratitude. Better living.

Begin your own practice of meditation.

Find a quiet moment. Choose a time of day that provides opportunity for a quiet moment without distraction. This may be in the morning before your family wakes up, in the evening after they go to bed, or at some point in-between (during a lunch break, before the workday begins, or while your new baby naps). Choose a time of day that is repeatable.

Find a quiet place. Meditation can happen anywhere, but a quiet place is always best. Evaluate your surroundings for not just noise clutter, but mental clutter as well. For example, if you find it difficult to slow your mind in a messy room or in the office where you work, relocate yourself elsewhere.

Find a quiet mind. The most difficult part of meditation is learning to quiet yourself. At first, your mind will not know what to do with the silence and will fill the void with restless activity. Sometimes you need to ignore the distraction. Focus on your breathing. But other times, you’ll need to pursue the voice fighting for your attention. Over time, you’ll quickly learn the difference.

Set aside a few minutes. If you have never meditated before, start small—even 5 minutes can be very significant. If you can meditate longer, do it. I find new waves of thought to resurface every 10 minutes with each revealing a deeper level of heart evaluation.

Introduce any specific spiritual components. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, meditation holds rich benefit for your life. But if your spirituality is important to you, you may find value including specific elements in your meditation: prayer and/or sacred texts, for example.

Just like every endeavor, meditation takes time and practice. So don’t get frustrated at first. And don’t get down on yourself if you miss a day. Just try again tomorrow—or for the first time.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

The simplicity/minimalism movement is among the most friendly, encouraging, and helpful communities you will ever find. There is a genuine understanding that any promotion of simplicity is good for society—and there is little concern about who gets the credit for it.

It is a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of people. And I enjoy every opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more by owning less. So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. Find a quiet moment this weekend before the holiday rush. And enjoy some encouraging words to inspire more simplicity in your life today.

Busy Isn’t Respectable Anymore | Tyler Ward by Tyler Ward. Busy often keeps us from the finer things in life.

What I Learned from a Six Month Spending Freeze | Lifehacker by Robert Murphy. In the short time I have been stepping back from purchasing I have noticed small windows of growing clarity.

Less Is More: A Suburban Mom Resists Consumerism to Increase Generosity | Christian Standard by Janet McMahon. The purpose of the project was to be able to give away more. I have learned some things along the way, but not necessarily what I expected.

What Problem Does This Solve? | Minimal Mac by Patrick Rhone. A short, helpful article on discerning the need to purchase new technology.

You Can’t Take It With You, but You Still Want More | New York Times by Matt Richtel. Interesting study on the influence of mindless accumulation.

Image: Angelo González

12 Simple Ways to Create Momentum in Your Day

“I challenge you to make your life the masterpiece you want to paint, the novel you want to read, the day you want to wake to.” ―Toni Sorenson

“Eat your frog” is a popular life tip for conquering procrastination and accomplishing more. It is based on the best-selling book, Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time which is founded on a Mark Twain quote that goes like this, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

The idea behind the tip is relatively simple: Do your least-favorite, most-important task first thing in the morning. You can spend the rest of your day knowing you’ve accomplished something difficult. And easily find the energy and motivation to accomplish more-enjoyable tasks.

I understand the premise of the productivity tip, I really do. I know a large number of crazy successful people who swear by it. And sometimes, it is the perfect way to start your day.

But other times, it is more important and effective to simply build some momentum into your day first. If you are familiar with athletics in any capacity, you already know the importance of momentum. You understand how one little success can change the demeanor of an entire team—one turnover, one blocked shot, one forehand winner down the line. Momentum begins to grow, confidence builds, and the impossible becomes achievable.

In a similar fashion, a good friend of mine makes her bed every single morning. It helps her room and house look cleaner. But more importantly, she says it sets the stage for the rest of her day. One small accomplishment within seconds of waking up. One task completed. Even though small, the brain registers the completed task as a success—and puts momentum for the day on her side.

Little victories lead to big victories. Small accomplishments lead to larger ones. Momentum builds. We begin to feel productive. And the impossible becomes achievable.

Of course, we know that not everyone who makes their bed in the morning has an entirely productive day. Often times, momentum begins to wane as setbacks occur and realities of the day set in. But when they do, our most productive step is to look again for a small victory. Compete one small task in its entirety and rebuild momentum. This principle holds true in almost every pursuit—academics, business, homemaking, and parenting, just to name a few.

How then, might we go about creating this momentum in our lives? What are some opportunities available to us each day?

12 Simple Opportunities to Create Momentum in Your Day

1. Make your bed. Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project, writes that when asking people what happiness-project resolution has made a big difference in their happiness, many people cite the modest “Make your bed.” It is quick and easy. Available every morning. And makes a big difference.

2. Cook your breakfast. There is something very satisfying about giving yourself enough time in the morning to cook your breakfast. And while Paul DeJoe believes in taking the time to craft the World’s Greatest Omelet, sometimes just allowing enough time to cook scrambled eggs, toast, and juice is enough to get the momentum in your corner.

3. Take a shower. Whether you work at home or the office, starting your day with a fresh slate both mentally and physically can be very helpful. I have been working from home for the last 4 months and have found one of the most important keys to productivity is simply taking a shower, getting dressed, and putting on shoes before I get started.

4.  Eat a healthy lunch. Lunches can be pretty hit-or-miss sometimes. We make a sandwich, grab leftovers from the fridge, or make a quick trip through the drive-thru. Often times, our choices set us back for the entire afternoon. Become intentional about eating a healthy lunch. Your body will be energized for the rest of the workday. And your mind will take pride in the healthy accomplishment.

5. Hit the gym. Go for a run/walk. Recently, running has become one of my favorite afternoon momentum builders. But when I had less flexibility in my workday, spending 45 minutes at the local gym before arriving at the office had significant influence on my day. I used a number of different workout routines over the years, but when I wanted something effective, short, and full-body, I used the Geek-to-Freak workout routine championed by Tim Ferriss.

6. Create a to-do list. I always work better with a to-do list in front of me. It focuses my attention and motivation. And sometimes, just taking the time to write one down can be a helpful step in the right direction.

7. Complete an enjoyable, challenging activity. We all have things we enjoy doing more than others. When you sense your productivity beginning to fade, choose something productive that you’ll enjoy completing. Make it challenging and productive and you’ll begin to feel a change in your attitude towards the less-enjoyable tasks.

8. Take 5 minutes to clean up one small area in your environment. Whether at home or the office, taking a small break from your current project to clean out an area can help clear your workspace and your mind. Remove distractions by clearing off your desk or bookcase. Clean your surfaces or quickly sort out a drawer. The feeling is great. And with the clutter removed, you will be a more efficient worker on the other side.

9. Write 750 words. Whatever your skill set, the process of sitting down to write words can be beneficial. It stimulates your brain and helps to clarify your thoughts. As Dawson Trotman once said, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and fingertips.” The words don’t even need to be shared. Just commit to writing 750 words (or you could try 500) about anything on your heart. You’ll find it therapeutic. And probably far more momentum-building than you ever thought.

10. Wash the dishes after dinner. The intentional habit of washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen after meals is an important one for me. It is the final step in our family meal. It is an important accomplishment. And when the kitchen is clean, evenings feel freer and more alive.

11. Reset your home before going to bed. Find a simple, 10-minute evening routine that works for you and your family. You will end your day on a note of accomplishment and start your morning with a clean slate. Even at the end of the day, you can build momentum for the next. And your mind will be less cluttered at the office tomorrow if your living area is less cluttered at home.

12. Make out with your spouse. Seriously. He’ll be happy. She’ll be happy. And ideally, both of you will feel fulfilled afterwards. Whether this is accomplished in the morning, afternoon, or evening, everyone feels better about themselves and more prepared for the far less-exciting responsibilities that lie ahead.

Your most important work needs to be completed. But sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is set yourself up for success in a small way. And allow momentum to carry you forward.

A Positive, Encouraging Guide to Overcome Failure

“I am not concerned that you have fallen. I am concerned that you arise.” —Abraham Lincoln

Life is never, always a comedy. At times, it is tragedy.

Life is experienced as a constant, never-ending shift between successes and failures—sometimes occurring within moments of one another. To be human is to fail. We know this to be true from personal experience.

We experience hardship both because of our faults and because of the faults of others.

We fail in the small things: staying on a diet, running a 5k, keeping a New Year’s resolution, or controlling clutter in our homes. We fail in the larger things: overcoming an addiction, finding employment, or holding on to an important relationship. And sometimes our failures negatively impact the rest of our lives: keeping a marriage together, persuading a child to make better choices, or overcoming a lifetime of debt.

But in each setback—whether small or large—we find opportunity for growth. And as long as a glimmer of hope remains, so do we.

Some of the most influential people in my life have cemented their legacy through their failures. This should come as no surprise. After all, some of the most inspirational stories ever written (or lived) center on personal triumph over weakness or loss. As one screen writer once told me, “If the hero in your story does not experience tragedy, the audience will never relate to him or her.”

Failure is a necessary part of life. We would be wise to allow it to change us and shape us. How then, can each of us redeem failure for good?

An Encouraging Guide to Overcoming Failure



1. We admit that we experience it. Despite the universality of failure, our world goes to great lengths to hide it. People always have and people always will. Our default position too often is to downplay our weaknesses, but those who find growth in failure begin by simply admitting its existence in their lives.

2. We recognize failure is common. And because we know all experience it, we find comfort knowing we are not alone in it.

3. We look for personal responsibility. Our initial tendency is often to blame others or uncontrollable, external factors. After all, to admit defeat is to admit defeat. But rarely are the failures in our lives entirely the responsibility of someone else. And until we take personal responsibility in some capacity, we can never move on to the next step.

4. We process our weakness. Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This holds true in both success and failure. When failure occurs, which it always will, the wisest of us journey inward to determine the cause and intentional steps we can take to learn from the experience. And in time, we learn to champion humility.

5. We let go of the factors outside our control. One of the most hope-filled moments in life is when we find the courage to let go of what we cannot change.

6. We grow through pain. We live in a society passionately committed to avoiding pain. But there is benefit to be found in discomfort. While I would never encourage anybody to intentionally seek pain through failure, it will arise. And when it does, it will be okay. In fact, it will teach us things we could never learn elsewhere: patience and perseverance for example.

7. We forgive. If our pain is partly a result of someone else’s failures, we find freedom in forgiveness.

8. We turn to others. Nobody successfully navigates life alone. When the hope inside us begins to fade, we look for it in others. We turn to family. If family is not available, we turn to friends. And if friends are not available, we look for intentional communities around us to find support.

9. And then, we share our stories. It may not happen right away—some failures take longer to process than others. But eventually, we find opportunity to share our story. When we do, we share it with honesty and humility. Through it, we discover opportunity to provide hope, strength, and encouragement to others. We find influence for good. And we begin to make sense of our failings.

Failure is never the end. It is instead, a necessary part of the journey. May we keep hope alive. And find redemption through it.

An Invitation to Grow in Simplicity

I look forward to a number of conversations in the coming months focused on minimalism and simple living. Some opportunities stem from projects I have been investing myself into for months and years, while others have pushed me to further explore the intersection of minimalism and life.

In either case, I continue to find living with fewer possessions a life-giving pursuit. It is one that frees the human spirit and the human heart from material possessions. It allows us freedom to direct our focus towards more meaningful pursuits. And in every opportunity, it is my hope to share this inspiration and offer this invitation.

If you live in the Phoenix-area, over the course of the next month, we are hosting two local opportunities just for you (including a 7-part series in my own neighborhood). If you do not live in Phoenix, I invite you to consider the other opportunities listed below—or invite me to your own community later this year.

__A One Evening Invitation

Simple Living Meet-Up (with Courtney Carver). Downtown Phoenix. Wednesday, January 15, 6:00pm-8:00pm. Free.

I am thrilled to be partnering with Courtney Carver of Be More with Less to offer a free, one evening meet-up in downtown Phoenix dedicated to simple living. We invite you to come hear our stories and share your own. And along the way, discover inspiration, encouragement, and connection.

Tickets are offered free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis. Get them here. Special thanks to MistoBox for hosting this event and providing the coffee.

__A Spring Series Invitation

Thinking Richer About Money Series. My neighborhood. Every-other Thursday starting February 6, 6:30pm-8:00pm. Free.

Our lives are too valuable to waste chasing possessions. Unfortunately, both outside and inside the church, the pursuit of wealth and materialism remains one of the greatest undiagnosed distractions of our time. Correctly understood, Jesus’s plain teachings on money and possessions bring life, freedom, meaning, and fulfillment. And it is time we rediscover them. Come engage with us in this rich conversation about money, wealth, possessions, generosity, and the kingdom of God.

I have spent the past 2+ years rethinking everything I once knew about the Bible and its teaching on money. My journey into minimalism has reshaped my understanding in countless ways. I am excited to share them with you.

It is free to sign-up for this course that will span three months beginning in February. This series is perfect for anyone in the Phoenix-area interested in learning more about the Bible’s teaching on money. The group study will take place in my own neighborhood (Peoria, AZ) at the Mountain Vista Club in Vistancia. Your RSVP will help us plan accordingly.

__A Year-Long Invitation

A Simple Year. Your Email Inbox. 12 months beginning in January. Work at your own pace.

Throughout the 12 months of 2014, I will be teaming up with 7 of my favorite writers and simple-living advocates to offer A Simple Year: 12 Months of Guided Simplicity.

Whether you are just beginning your journey to simplicity or looking for extra inspiration and encouragement, A Simple Year is built to provide you with inspiration and practical application steps to make 2014 your simplest year ever. Each month, members will receive articles and information centered on one specific topic complete with homework assignments and challenges. The nature of the course allows focus, intentionally, and new habits to be established.

You can register today for $199. Hundreds have already signed-up and I hope you will join us too.

__The New Book

Clutterfree with Kids. Available Monday, January 28.

Later this month, I will be releasing a new book, Clutterfree with Kids.

The book is written specifically to equip parents to get a handle on their home and life and the excess possessions that surround them. It is written as a resource manual broken into incredibly practical chapters (clothing, toys, collections, schedules, baby gear, etc.). But more than that, it provides inspiration through the stories of people around the world who have discovered clutterfree living with kids.

The book seeks to promote minimalism and simplicity by encouraging parents to rethink the role physical possessions play in their lives—and the level of distraction they quickly become.

To help with the promotion of the book, we will pre-release digital copies of the book to bloggers who are willing to read and post a review (good, bad, or indifferent) on their website. If you desire to be among the first to read Clutterfree with Kids and post a review on its release date, sign-up here. Only the first 100 submissions will receive an advance copy.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

There are many wonderful people pursuing and promoting simplicity. Fortunately, some of them are gifted in communication and choose to encourage and inspire us with their words. I enjoy reading their perspective. I’m sure you will too.

So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea on this beautiful weekend. Find a quiet moment. And enjoy some encouraging words about finding more simplicity in your life today.

Forget About Setting Goals. Focus on This Instead. | James Clear by James Clear. If you completely ignored your goals and focused only on your system, would you still get results?

200 Things | Medium by Prashant Sridharan. The things you own end up owning you.

The True Cost of Stuff | mnmlist by Leo Babauta. The cost of purchasing an item just scratches the surface. When we buy something, we are taking it into our homes, our lives, and we are taking on the life of another object in this world.

Tablets a Hit with Kids, But Experts Worry | AP by Bree Fowler. Important reminder that parents need be mindful of whether tablet time is replacing more important activities such as sleeping, reading, or interacting with adults.

Becoming Minimalist Top Posts of 2013 | Becoming Minimalist by Joshua Becker. Recently, we published a helpful list of our most popular posts from the past year. If you missed any, you will enjoy reading through the post—especially if there is coffee or tea left in your mug.

Image: David Leggett

11 Resolutions For a Better You—Proven by Science

“Good habits make all the difference.” —Aristotle

It is wise for each of us, from time to time, to stop and evaluate our lives as we seek to make the most of them.

The start of a calendar year provides an opportunity to look back at the decisions that shaped our lives during the past year and gives us an extra push to make adjustments for the next one. Every new January represents a natural opportunity to evaluate the direction of our lives, adjust course if necessary, adopt new habits, or make healthy changes.

With the start of a new year upon us, consider these 11 resolutions for a better you—proven by science. It is, after all, our habits that determine the course of our lives.

1. Exercise. Most of us recognize the benefits of physical exercise: healthy bodies, healthy minds, and healthy confidence. Some studies indicate exercise contributes to a positive body image even prior to any body weight or shape change—with as little as two weeks of regular exercise. And with increasing study centered around the effectiveness of minimalist workouts, each of us should be able to find the time to get started.

2. Less television. Those seeking intentionality realize the negative influence television has on their mind: it impacts our worldview, encourages consumerism, oversimplifies life, and results in less life satisfaction. Even more drastic, scientists are beginning to discover the habit of watching too-much television may be negatively impacting our life expectancy as well. Nobody is telling you to throw your television in the nearest dumpster, but deciding to cut back in the next year may be one of the best decisions you could ever make.

3. Go outside. According to recent studies published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, simply spending time outside with nature contributes to increased energy, wards off feelings of exhaustion, and results in a heightened sense of well-being. Of course, simply walking from your front door to the car door doesn’t count. So make a point this coming year to find an excuse to be outside—you can always start with a simple walk around the block each evening.

4. Read fiction. Recently, researchers have begun studying the physical impact reading stories has on our brain. As you might expect, they are discovering reading results in heightened connectivity and brain activity—sometimes, even up to 5 days after the book has been completed. If you read fiction, you already know this to be true. If you don’t, this could be your year to start. You may enjoy beginning with The Hunger Games or Divergent.

5. Give. Numerous studies show charitable giving boosts happiness and reduces stress—especially when the generosity promotes positive social connection. If you don’t already, find a cause or person you believe in and offer them consistent monthly support. They will benefit. You will benefit. And the world will be a better place.

6. Serve. Volunteering provides great value for our lives and the lives of those we choose to enrich. One study from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard Business School, and the Yale School of Management found that when a person volunteers his or her time, they begin to feel like they have more time and are more efficient. Additionally, volunteers feel better about themselves, experience lower stress levels, and develop a deeper connection with others. The golden number appears to be 100 hours per year (2 hours/week).

7. Buy less stuff and more experiences. In studies presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, researchers suggest that buying life experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness for both the consumer and those around them. Decide today to spend less money this year on possessions and more money on meaningful, memorable experiences. You’ll be glad you did in more ways than one.

8. Display gratitude. Psychologists have scientifically proven that one of the greatest contributing factors to overall happiness in your life is how much gratitude you show. And it can be experienced with as little as three expressions each day (“Thank you for…”). Getting started is so easy and  beneficial. It could be the easiest decision you make all year.

9. Practice smiling. In a fascinating study conducted at the Michigan State Business School, customer service professionals who fake a smile throughout the day worsen their mood. But people who smile as a result of cultivating positive thoughts improve their mood and withdraw less. Simply put, one easy way to improve your mood throughout the next year is to intentionally recall pleasant memories or think more positively about your current situation—and then smile because of it.

10. Stop and just play. Our world is becoming increasingly busy and the temptation to measure our worth by external factors continues to grow. As a result, taking time to slow down and just play is becoming increasingly rare. But play is fun and enjoyable. Play enriches the lives of children by exercising their mind and body. And it has the same positive effect on adults. So make an extra point to just slow down and play constructively with your friends or kids.

11. Determine to be happy. Two experimental studies published in The Journal of Positive Psychology this past year offer ground-breaking research on the cultivation of happiness. Based on the experiments, participants who listened to “happy” music and actively tried to feel happier reported the highest level of positive mood afterwards—more so than those who simply listened to the music. In other words, determining to be happy is a productive decision towards achieving it.

Adopting 11 new habits at one time is almost certainly too much to ask. But choose one or two specifically. And then, give it 29 days. You’ll be surprised how quickly they become habit.

Becoming Minimalist Top Posts of 2013

A special thanks to each of you for making 2013 another incredible year at Becoming Minimalist. This website continues to grow well beyond my craziest expectations. The growth has occurred entirely from the support of readers like you—there is no advertising involved.

Thank you for sharing this website. But even more than that, thank you for sharing the life-giving message of owning less.

Indeed, over the past year, Becoming Minimalist has grown in significant ways:

Monthly visitors to Becoming Minimalist grew from 150,000/month to over 350,000/month!
Facebook fans grew from 18,000 to over 90,000!
Twitter followers increased from 8,500 to 15,800.
Our Newsletter unites and inspires 7,500 simple living advocates around the world.
For the third year in a row,  Simplify  has sold over 10,000 copies.
Becoming Minimalist’s presence on Tumblr, Google+, and Pinterest continue to expand.

It has indeed been an incredibly exciting year. The metrics above prove the point. But going beyond the numbers, this past year I began writing and speaking on the topic of minimalism full-time. This message is important. And the opportunity is great.

In case you missed any, here are some of the top posts on Becoming Minimalist from 2013.

Most Popular Posts from 2013 (as determined by the readers):

10 Unconventional Habits to Live Distraction-Less. It is increasingly clear that distractions are not going away on their own. Instead, the responsibility is ours to live attentive, intentional lives in a world of distraction. This is a goal we must continue to seek.

A Helpful Guide to Becoming Unbusy. Seemingly, busy has become the default state for too many of our lives. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Busy is not inevitable. Each of us can take intentional steps to overcome it.

A Simple, Helpful Guide to Overcome Consumerism. Breaking free from excessive consumerism is an essential step not just for a simplified life, but for any life that desires to be lived intentionally. How then we can realize this freedom? What steps can we take to break free?

7 Important Reasons to Unplug and Find Space. We don’t need statistics to tell us we are over-attached to our technology. We already know this to be true. It helps to be reminded again and again: Technology has a power-off button. And the wisest of us know when to use it.

12 Intentional Actions to Choose Happiness Today. Simply knowing that happiness is a choice is not enough. Fully experiencing it still requires a conscience decision to do so each day.

My Personal Favorite Posts from the past year:

Why We Work. Please don’t view your work as something only to be endured or avoided. Instead, rethink your work. Regain focus and motivation to use your passions and abilities to contribute good to a society in need of them.

9 Ways Generous People See the World Differently. Generosity makes our world a better place. It improves the life of the receiver. And it improves the life of the giver. Yet, despite the benefits, generosity is still too rare.

A Helpful Guide to Overcoming Envy. The wasted emotions of envy and jealousy continue to be present in our lives. We experience envy over other peoples’ appearance, talents, relationships, and bank accounts. But it offers no positive contribution to our lives. Why does it remain?

There are Better Things to be than Rich. I have come to realize the pursuit of riches is based on a faulty premise. It is based on the incorrect rationale that the presence of money is always good—that it always brings benefit into our lives. This is not always the case.

Most Popular Guest Posts in 2013:

3 Lies That Kept Me From Simplifying My Life by Allison Vesterfelt. Once we give up the idea that we have to follow a certain prescribed set of actions in order to look like an adult, we are released to do what we really want to do and become who we really want to be.

10 Decluttering Principles to Help Anyone Clear the Clutter by Colleen Madsen. Over these last three years of decluttering, I have removed over a thousand things from our home. And I have learned that understanding just a few key principles can help anyone clear their clutter.

How Stuff Robs Us of Those We Love the Most by Jeff Goins. Many of us are living over-crowded, busy lives that rob us of what really matters. We wait and bide our time, holding out for the “big things” in life, not realizing that the good stuff is happening right now.

Most Popular Outgoing Links from the past year:

Eight Things You Can Live Without | Medium by Lindsay Schauer. Want to declutter your life? Start here.

Packing Light and Unloading the Excess Baggage in Your Life | Brian Gardner by Brian Gardner. I’m a firm believer that far too often we miss calls in our life because we’re too busy, or because we simply have too many things on our plate.

If You Shop on Thanksgiving, You are Part of the Problem | The Matt Walsh Blog by Matt Walsh. Honest, challenging, and humble. I appreciate this article very much.

Whether you have been reading Becoming Minimalist for one week, one month, one year or longer, thank you so much. This blog owes its success to the support of its readers. Thank you for reading. And thank you for sharing these posts with others.

We look forward to an exciting 2014. In fact, we have a number of fantastic opportunities to introduce in the coming weeks including a new book, Clutterfree with Kids, and a personal invitation to come hang out with my wife and me in our Peoria, AZ neighborhood.

In the coming year, Becoming Minimalist will continue to evolve and be redefined. But it will always stay true to its core message that there is more joy to be found in owning less than can be found in pursuing more. And we will continue to invite as many as possible to discover this truth in their lives. I do hope you will join us.

Image: GoToVan

‘Tis Better to Donate Than Accumulate

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” —Booker T. Washington

‘Tis the season for accumulation.

Over the next several days, new possessions will enter homes at an alarming rate. The new possessions will arrive in stockings, gift bags, gift wrap, and envelopes. And the new products will come in various forms: electronics, clothes, books, toys, jewelry, gift cards, video games, decorations, DVD’s, and cookware. In America alone, over will be spent on retail goods during the months of November and December.

Some gifts will meet legitimate needs. But most gifts during the holiday season are purchased to satisfy wants: another new doll for your daughter, a new video game system for your son, or a K-cup coffee maker for the parents. Worse yet, many of the gifts we give will satisfy neither needs or wants—instead, they will only satisfy an obligation.

When the gift opening is done, new toys will clutter kids’ rooms and new clothes will clutter our closets. Gift cards will line our pockets and holiday cards will decorate our refrigerators. New gadgets will be shoved into cupboards. And new electronics will be plugged into available outlets all around our homes.

Our houses will fill up with more and more accumulated stuff. Then, the weariness will begin to set in. It always does.

Possessions bring about that affect on us. They clutter our physical space and steal our mental energy. They take time to clean and manage and organize. We worry about them getting broken or dirty or lost. They cost us financial opportunity. The accumulation makes our home feel cramped or too little or designed without enough storage space. Eventually, our possessions wear out or go out of style. And in the end, they never bring as much joy to us as they do the models on the packaging.

We will spend $600 billion dollars during this holiday season. But in the end, we will be no happier than we were before. We will only be more tired, more burdened, and more distracted from the very things that do bring us joy, purpose, and meaning.

There is more joy in owning less than can be found in owning more. And it is far better to donate than accumulate.

Meanwhile, there are countless charitable organizations all around the world meeting very real needs. These charitable organizations are providing food and shelter to those without any. They are delivering clean water to entire villages without supply. They are protecting battered women and offering needed supplies to expectant mothers. They are placing orphans in loving families. They are offering educational assistance to those who need it most. And they are offering new opportunity for those who have had it taken from them.

These very real needs are all around us. They are across the ocean. They are in our cities. They are in our neighborhoods. And they live above us in our apartment buildings.

The act of donation is a win-win situation. For those with too little, needs are met. And for those with too much, freedom is discovered in our homes and in our lives.

It is time to shift our thinking on this issue. We have spent too many years and too many holidays chasing accumulation. But the accumulation of retail goods has not brought contentment or joy or purpose. It has not delivered on its promise. We have satisfied our wants, only to be left wanting more.

In the coming days, seek to break the cycle of accumulation in your life and in your home. Embrace the joy of donation by giving away your unneeded possessions. And discover again, It is better to give than to receive.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

The simplicity/minimalism niche is among the most friendly, encouraging, and helpful communities you will ever find. There is a genuine understanding that any promotion of simplicity is good for society—and there is little concern about who gets the credit for it.

It is a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of people. And I enjoy every opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more by owning less. So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. Find a quiet moment this weekend before the holiday rush. And enjoy some encouraging words to inspire more simplicity in your life today.

Why We’re So Materialistic, Even Though It Doesn’t Make Us Happy | LifeHacker by Thorin Klosowski. A look at why our brains are so materialistic and what we can do to keep it from overwhelming us.

The Psychology Of Materialism, And Why It’s Making You Unhappy | Huffington Post by Carolyn Gregoire. Americans today, compared to 55 years ago, own twice as many cars and eat out twice as much per person, but we don’t seem to be any happier because of it.

Eyes are Better at Mental Snapshots than Cameras | CNN by Elizabeth Landau. Interesting research that may just encourage you to put the camera down a little bit more this holiday season.

Our Dangerous Obsession with External Recognition | Harvard Business Review by Daniel Gulati. Although out fundamental desire to be noticed is not a new phenomenon, our unending use of social media has radically elevated the level of ego in our personal lives.

Mentally Strong People: The 13 Things They Avoid | Forbes by Cheryl Conner. For all the time people spend concerned about physical strength and health, when it comes down to it, mental strength can mean even more.

Image: suzettesuzette