Joshua Becker's Blog, page 90

The Joy of Living Within Your Means

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” —Warren Buffett

Recently, I pulled into my local gas station. It was evening and there wasn’t much traffic inside or outside the store. In fact, I was the only one filling up.

That was, until another car came speeding around the corner and pulled up to the pump next to me. The engine of the sports car broke the quietness of the evening and was drowned out only by the squeal of his tires and eventually, the volume of the music pouring out his windows.

The driver quickly hopped out of his vehicle wearing a leather jacket and proceeded to fill his tank with premium gasoline.

It was quite a spectacular sight actually. A dark, still evening with no noise around us to speak of. Me, standing next to my white, 2005 Honda Accord. And him, right next to me, taking time to admire his brand new sports car.

We didn’t exchange any words. I don’t even recall him looking in my direction to acknowledge my existence. He was, I think, far too preoccupied with his vehicle.

I know nothing of this fellow or how he came to acquire his fancy new car. And I am passing no judgment on him. This is a story about me—not him.

Because in that moment, a surprising thought entered my head. I remember thinking (for better or worse), “You know, I could drive a car like that if I wanted. I could purchase a fancy new sports car, a leather jacket, even racing gloves if I wanted. But I choose not to.”

And it’s true. There are, I suppose, a few cars on the planet that I could not receive enough credit to acquire. But for the most part, there is nothing stopping me from driving an expensive, flashy sports car around town.

Except for maybe one thing.

The only thing stopping me from driving the same car I encountered at the gas station is I enjoy living within my means.

I like knowing I spend less than I make.

I mean, I could drive a more expensive car. I could buy a bigger house. I could take more lavish vacations or purchase more luxurious furniture. But I find a significant amount of pleasure knowing my expenses do not exceed my income.

Staying out of debt means I am not being hunted down by creditors. It means I am not carrying a financial burden from my past while also trying to provide for the present. It means I have freedom to make choices with my excess income. It means I can save if I want, give if I want, or spend if I want. Because I live within my means, I enjoy a significant level of freedom that others do not.

It allows me to sleep better, carry less stress, and live a more calm, relaxed life.

Our world works hard to convince us to outspend our means and then provides a thousand ways for us to do it—even delivering pre-approved cards of plastic directly to our front doors. And from the outside, a life built on credit may appear the life we desire—with its bright lights, bold colors, and the flashy impressions we are able to make.

But I’ll choose something different for my life. I’ll choose calm and peace and the knowledge that I have chosen responsibly. For there is a wonderful joy to be found in it.

I know there are any number of uncontrollable circumstances that may make this choice impossible for some—tragedy, medical emergencies, or unexpected career downsizing as examples. But for those who still have the choice, I don’t think you’ll ever regret spending less than you make.

Besides, I kinda like my Honda Accord.

What Hamilton Teaches Us About Minimalism

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Brian Gardner of No Sidebar.

There’s a memorable scene from Hamilton—the wildly successful Broadway musical depicting the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton. It goes like this: It is 1776 and General George Washington and the Continental Army are about to be driven out of New York City by 32,000 British troops who have landed in New York harbor. It is the first battle of the Revolutionary War and much is at stake. Overwhelmed, overworked and overextended, an exasperated Washington concedes he is “outgunned, outmanned, outnumbered, and outplanned.”

Can you relate? For you, it might be the War of More. Every day, its armies land on our doorstep, checkbook, calendar, digital devices, or whatever.

Or maybe it’s a different battle you face. We are regularly:

Outgunned by a desire to “keep up with the Joneses.”
Outmanned by a cultural myth that being busy is a badge of honor.
Outnumbered by FOMO (fear of missing out). We say yes to things we should say no to, and social media notifications dictate what’s important.
Outplanned by advertising firms that constantly whisper “more, more, more.” More house car, clothes, stuff, status (and stress).

However, Washington is smart enough to know what he needs. He quickly snaps to it and announces: “We gotta make an all-out stand … and I’m gonna need a right-hand man.” For Washington, Alexander Hamilton is that right-hand man. As Washington’s chief aide, Hamilton clears the clutter, noise, and distractions so the Commander in Chief can focus on what matters most—winning the war.

Take a Stand

Like Washington did, we too can take a stand and maximize the principles of minimalism to counter-attack with “less.” And when we do, it is amazing to discover how little we actually need to be happier, more content, and less stressed.

Minimalism is our right-hand man (or woman). We won’t win without taking full advantage of it. To quote my friend, Joshua Becker: “At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality. And as a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life.”

There are multiple battlefronts upon which we can wage this war. The strategy will be unique for each of us based on personal circumstances. For some, it may be decluttering a house or simplifying a wardrobe. For others, it is a journey to live debt-free. What counts is that we pick a place to start, and as Joshua hints, stay intentional.

Here are three battlefronts I’ve recently waged or am in the thick of right now:

Calendar: Start with the Big Rocks

In his book First Things First, the late Dr. Stephen Covey made the notion of “Big Rocks” famous. Big Rocks are the things that are most important to us: A project we’d want to accomplish, more time with family, getting fit, an education, finances—you name it.

His point is this: Unless you prioritize them on your calendar, you’ll be hard-pressed to accomplish them. As virtual mentor Michael Hyatt says, “what gets scheduled, is what gets done.”

Screen Time: Set Limits & Examples

There’s a ton of content warning parents about the dangers of too much screen time for kids. It damages our brain, triggers addictive behavior, inhibits social skills, and takes eyeballs away from meaningful connection. But what about adults? We’re just as bad. When our eyeballs are constantly glued to our phones, tablets, gaming devices, or televisions, what are we modeling for the ones we love?

I recently heard a quote that landed for me when I apply it to screen time: “Our kids will hear what we say, but they’ll believe what we do.” Here are some simple strategies on limiting screen time and setting examples.

House: Less is More

The square footage of my house, its amenities, or our zip code aren’t that important to me. What matters most to me is that our home is a warm, inviting place where I can grow closer to my family and friends. If we’re honest and humble, most of us can manage just fine living in a smaller home that meets our needs but doesn’t break the bank or add undue stress. We are actively making changes in our life to account for this.

According to personal finance guru Dave Ramsey, the average new single-family home comes in at nearly 2,700 square feet. Most people today would say “meh” to 2,700 square feet. But, consider this: In 1950, the average home size was less than 1,000 square feet. And most families were much bigger back then. They did just fine. So can we.

There are financial and emotional advantages to moving into a smaller home: Less time, money and stress spent on upkeep and paying the mortgage or rising property taxes. More time and money to grow closer to those you love and do the things you love.

Washington lost that first battle in New York. But he persevered to win the war. So, I encourage you to take a stand. Call in Minimalism as your right-hand man. Pick a battle to fight. Stay intentional. And, once you’ve won that battle—go after another. Before long, the tide will turn and you’ll claim what you’ve been fighting for.

***

No Sidebar is a collaborative blog about minimalism, simple living, and happiness. You can sign up for their free weekly newsletter for inspiration and encouragement in your journey toward a simpler life.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

There’s more to life than buying stuff.

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 unique 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.

Is Minimalism The Lifestyle Of The Future? | The Huffington Post by Rosie Leizrowice. We are moving from a culture of ownership to one of access.

The Minimalist Question is the Important Thing | mnmlist by Leo Babauta. Minimalism is about asking a simple question: what is important to you?

When Life Happens, It’s Nice to Have Less Stuff | A Dozen Davises by Tracy Davis. August through December 2016 was one of the most intense times of my life, in both good ways and bad.

Compared to What? | This is Seth’s Blog by Seth Godin. Thanks to marketing, the media and our culture, we spend a lot of our time comparing before we decide whether or not we’re happy.

—

Uncluttered. If you’re looking for help trying to keep your resolution to declutter, our 12-week course will help you own less, live more, and discover the life you want. But registrations ends on Sunday, April 30.

Here are 25 Ways The Uncluttered Course Has Changed Lives | Huffington Post.

 

Get Uncluttered this Spring

“The Uncluttered course is about more than removing clutter. It is about challenging you to live differently.” —Amy Slenker-Smith, Herndon, VA

Uncluttered

Uncluttered is a 12-week online course that we developed to help you own less, live more, and discover the life you’ve always wanted.

We offer the course only three times each year. And today, we are launching the Spring Edition.

If you want to finally declutter your home, own less, and save more, registration is open for the next 10 days only—ending April 30.

The program includes videos, interviews, live webinars, practical articles, weekly challenges, accountability, and an engaged community.

If you are drawn to the idea of owning less, but need some extra help getting there, this course is perfect for you. Uncluttered will provide just the extra motivation you need to declutter your home and start living a better life. By the end, you will have decluttered every major living area in your home and begun changing your spending habits.

Every Monday, you will receive a video from me, an exclusive interview with one of the brightest minds in the simplicity movement, or written content prepared for the course. You will receive a weekly challenge to complete. And you will be offered significant opportunities to engage with the community in a private Facebook group and with me during live webinars and live question and answer opportunities each month.

The course offers everything a book or blog post cannot: community, accountability, and opportunity to ask questions.

To find detailed information about the content and the subjects covered in the Uncluttered Course, click here.

The Results

Over 12,000 people have already completed the course. And the feedback has been unbelievable:

The term life-changing gets thrown around a lot, but this course really is. I went into it with a lot of shame and anxiety. Joshua gently guided us in a way that made lasting change seem possible. My home is much improved, but my mindset is also clearer. —Kathryn Wagner, Los Angeles, CA

Signing up for the Decluttering course was one of the best decisions I’ve made. —Tracy Nowak, Webster, NY

There is a feeling of having shed layers off your life, a strange lightness which brings a new purpose to move forward. —Emer Maria Kielhorn, Ireland

My credit card statement came today. $1,000.00 under my typical monthly balance! Thank you Uncluttered community. I’ve been at this for years; however, it’s clear I truly needed this group to get to that next level. —Cheyanne Morris, St. Paul, MN

The Details

We offer the course only three times each year.

This program begins on Monday, May 1. Registration is open now, ending on Sunday, April 30—so don’t wait if you want to join us.

The cost for the course is $89. But you can find a 25% off discount code in the back of The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own (hardcover and digital formats only). The book is not required—but the course is based on it. And it’s cheaper to buy the book and use the discount code than it is to pay full price—the option is yours.

I am personally involved in every aspect of the course. Helping people live more by owning less is what I am passionate about. I created the videos and the content. I host the webinars. I answer questions in the Facebook group. And I host live video chats over the course of the 12 weeks. My goal is to help and cheer you along.

Participants receive lifetime access to the course. And they can take it as many times as they need.

—

Uncluttered is a 12-week online course with videos, interviews, webinars, articles, weekly challenges, accountability, and community. It is strategically packaged for one purpose: To help you unclutter your home, own less stuff, and find space to live the life you want.

If you are interested in joining us for the next 3 months, visit My Becoming Minimalist to register. Make this spring the season you finally discover the home and life you’ve always wanted.

Three Powerful Questions that Lift the Weight of “Too Much” and Anchor Us in Peace

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Rachel Macy Stafford of Hands Free Mama.

My family recently went kayaking in a marsh during my children’s spring break. As we paddled out of the marina, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful boats bobbing up and down against the docks. They reminded me of a painful time in my life when I dreamed of being on a boat, sailing away from it all. It also reminded me of what anchored me.

During a maxed-out two-year period of my life, I was a pressure cooker just waiting to blow. Running on a constant loop in my head was the phrase, “It’s just too much … it’s all just too much.”

A great deal of the “too much” was self imposed—unachievable standards, relentless distractions, and an overabundance of commitments. At the time, I didn’t realize the choices I was making were causing this constant feeling of overwhelm. I only knew that carrying the weight of “too much” made me want to escape.

One night, after overreacting towards my family over a trivial issue, I made it all the way out to the car. I was in my pajamas, and I shivered as my barefoot stepped on the gas pedal.

But I could not leave.

I went back inside to get my children. I gathered them up, one in each arm. I remember how they cried in confusion and fear. I made it to the door and realized I could not leave without my husband either. And I could not leave without my beloved calico cat. I could not leave my people.

That’s when it dawned on me: they were not the problem. They were easy targets for my stress and frustration, but they were not the problem. The problem was the constant weight of “too much.”

Slowly, one by one, I began to scale back on my commitments. I lowered the bar. I learned how to say no. I stopped depriving myself of sleep in the name of productivity. I turned my phone on silent during vital connection times of the day. I stopped being accessible to the world so I could be accessible to those who were my world.

A tremendously helpful strategy to becoming more intentional with my time and energy was to ask myself three questions daily:

1) Does the amount of time and attention I currently offer to my family convey they are a top priority in my life?

2) Does my current schedule allow for time spent simply being all there with my loved ones?

3) Do I have any extracurricular commitments or time-wasting distractions I could eliminate in order to spend a few minutes of special time today with my child or spouse?

The answers to these three questions helped me realize something quite powerful: I could not control all the circumstances of my life, but I could control some. (tweet that)

I could not let go of all my extracurricular commitments, but I could let go of some. I could not say no to every outside request asked of me, but I could say no to some. I could not rid myself of all modern day distractions, but I could choose to designate pockets of time in which to turn off the world and engage with the people who mattered most to me.

And that’s exactly what I did. I started small, but every time I turned off the worldly pressures, the daily distractions, and the societal expectations and turned toward my family, my heart felt like it was right where it was supposed to be.

The more I chose my heart, and not what mattered to the rest of the world, the more peace I felt within.

I’ll be the first to admit I continue to be a work-in-progress. Finding that balance of work and life can be tricky. There are times when my family and I are flying on a plane, and the sight of a boat causes me to imagine my escape.

I’ll dream of a life with wind in my hair—no demands, no requests, no duties, no plan. My breathing is steady; the muscles in my shoulder aren’t tight; my skin is clear. They’re no emails to answer, no work deadlines to meet, no bills to pay, no expectations of me whatsoever—there is just sunshine, stacks of books, and the lull of the water.

Something always pulls me back from my reverie—my husband touches my leg or one of my children says, “Hey, Mom.” And just like that, my “sail away” moment is over.

That’s when I turn and see the faces of my beloved people. That’s when I give thanks for my “anchor moments”—moments that have shaped me into the most authentic, truest, best version of me … moments that have inspired me to ask hard questions and find peace right where I’m at.

***

Rachel reaches millions through her blog, Hands Free Mama. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama and Hands Free Life. Her latest work of heart, ONLY LOVE TODAY, offers bite-size encouragement for busy individuals yearning to anchor themselves in love despite everyday distractions, pressures, and discord.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.

For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.

Take a Look at the Outfit This DC Woman Has Worn Every Day This Year | Washingtonian by Hayley Garrison Phillips. While the idea of dressing in uniform isn’t new, the practice has undergone a renaissance of sorts in recent years.

The Art of Enough | Experience Life by Elizabeth Millard. How consuming less can help you enjoy life more.

6 Minimalist Morning Routines That Will Calm The Chaos In Your Life | The Huffington Post by Michele Lian. Mornings are the perfect time to head into life with a fresh start: A new chance to change directions. A new opportunity to think differently than you did yesterday. A new day to be healthier.

Overwhelmed? 10 Ways to Feel Less Busy | The Guardian by Oliver Burkeman. You can’t do it all.

Want more inspiration to create space for the things that matter most? Subscribe to Becoming Minimalist.

8 Ways Minimalism Helps Put Money In Your Pocket

At first glance, the minimalist lifestyle has a simple goal, “Own fewer things.”

However, below the surface, minimalism is about something more. It is about re-evaluating our pursuits, our habits, and our motivations.

My family was introduced to minimalism eight years ago and immediately began removing unneeded possessions from every room in our home. As a result, we quickly found more time, more energy, less stress, and more opportunity to focus on things that matter.

As you might imagine, we also experienced financial benefits.

Excess possessions are a drain on our finances. (tweet that)

Here are eight ways minimalism can help put more money in your pocket:

1. Selling Unneeded Clutter. The L.A. Times recently reported the average American home contains 300,000 items. That’s a lot of clutter and that’s a lot of money sitting around—probably more than you realize. Bob Lotich, a personal finance blogger at Seedtime, even reported making more than $2k his first month selling off clutter.

2. Buying Less Stuff. Minimalists routinely spend less on retail purchases than their consumeristic peers—this should come as no surprise. What is surprising is how easy that transformation occurs for some people. Once a person experiences the freedom of owning less, they routinely become more and more attracted to living with less. At that point, the grip that consumerism holds on their checkbook begins to break.

3. Maintaining Fewer Belongings. Too often, when we purchase an item, we only look at the sticker price. But this is rarely the full cost. Our purchases always cost more in the long run. They also require ongoing energy and focus. And because everything eventually fades, breaks, or becomes obsolete, many of our existing possessions often require additional financial investment. This can clearly be seen in large items (houses, cars, appliances). Small fixes and maintenance costs also tend to add up.

4. Storing Fewer Possessions. The structures we build, buy and rent to store our ever-increasing number of possessions is quite unbelievable. Our houses have tripled in size over the last 50 years, off-site storage is the fastest growing segment of commercial real estate, and only 33% of Americans can park both cars in their two-car garage. Those who choose to live a minimalist life return all that added expense of storing possessions back into their pocket. Just imagine how different your finances might look if you lived in a smaller home.

5. Taking Tax Deductions from Donations. As people begin to experience the benefits of owning less, they are drawn to remove even more clutter from their home. This almost always results in more possessions being minimized than can be sold. But even in this case, the financial gain remains as the IRS provides opportunity for taxpayers to deduct the fair market value of donated clothing, household goods, used furniture, shoes, books and so forth.

6. Experiencing Improved Emotional and Physical Health. Every possession adds increased anxiety into our lives. Recently, the New York Times referred to our generation as the most stressed, tired, and rushed generation of all-time. Many of the statistics cited in the article can be traced back to the fact that our generation simply owns more physical possessions than any generation in history. Minimalism brings greater emotional health to our lives. Emotional health brings physical health. And both are among the greatest investments we can possibly make.

7. Finding Increased Intentionality in Spending. Minimalism brings greater intentionality in all areas of life. It begins by forcing us to evaluate our possessions—why we own what we own. But often times, the principle of keeping “only the best” extends to other areas of life too: schedules, relationships, health and habits. Once we begin to practice healthier habits in other areas of life, wiser decisions are easier to implement in our spending as well.

8. Freeing Up Time for Extra Income. One of the greatest benefits of minimalism is the amount of time that is returned to our lives. When we have less to clean, organize, maintain, and repair, we have more time for other pursuits. Whether you are working hard to reduce debt, build up a savings account, or fund an early retirement, minimalism allows you the opportunity to direct that free time towards extra income—if that’s how you choose to use it.

Maya Angelou once said, “We need much less than we think we need.” This truth lies at the heart of minimalism. And it may be an important realization to maximize your pocketbook as well.

8 Characteristics of People Who Are Successful At Getting Out Of Debt

Note: This is a guest post from Lama Farran, a Certified Money Coach.

[image error]

Having guided numerous families and individuals on their quest to pay off debt, I wondered about the characteristics which make them succeed on this path. Why are they able to successfully follow-through with their commitment to get out of debt when others fail at it?

After some reflection, I was able to pinpoint the 8 following behaviors which make them more prone to pay off their debts:

(For simplicity, I will refer to them as The Debt Slayers in this article).

1. They are goal-oriented and have a clear focus.

One of the first exercises Debt Slayers do before starting to pay off their debts is they define their SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Without them, people are left shooting in the dark. Would you get in your car and expect your GPS to get you to a specific destination without entering an address? Probably not. The same applies to money.

Debt Slayers are goal-oriented. They are clear about the path that lies ahead. They know how they are progressing and how much they have left before they get there.

2. They take steps to change auto-pilot spending habits.

Human beings are creatures of habit. We get comfortable in our ways and routines. As a result, it requires specific self-awareness to get off the auto-pilot mode.

When it comes to spending, we tend to: pick up the same coffee every morning; keep the same gym membership; automatically renew our home and car insurance; pick up the same take-out for dinner in the evening; buy gifts for everyone we know during the holidays because “that’s just the way it is.”

Debt Slayers are not afraid to stop and ask themselves the real reasons behind their spending: Is it out of habit? Laziness? Boredom? Stress? Social pressure? Or something else?

They’re comfortable getting off the auto-pilot spending mode. They are conscious about where and WHY they’re spending their money.

3. They work hard to identify the difference between needs and wants.

Debt Slayers don’t easily fall for advertisements purposely designed to make someone feel like they need the advertised product. For example, they know that clothing and shelter are definite needs. However, buying the latest trends of shoes and clothes, or having a bigger house than required are simple wants.

Debt Slayers are able to dig deep and honestly ask themselves if their purchase is a must-have or a nice-to-have.

4. They don’t “Keep up with the Joneses.”

The Joneses are not only your next-door neighbors and your close friends, but also your 500 friends on Facebook and Instagram.

Debt Slayers are aware that everybody else’s life looks plentiful on social media or when observed from the outside. However, they do not let the vacation pictures of friends or strangers derail their desire to become debt-free.

Some choose to simply limit their exposure to social media, knowing very well its negative effect on spending. Others stay on social media but with the added awareness not to allow it to affect their debt-free goal.

5. They communicate openly, honestly, and regularly about finances with their partner.

It is difficult to pay off your debts as a family if you are not on the same financial page as your partner. Once money becomes a topic that does not trigger fights and arguments, things will go more smoothly.

Debt Slayers perceive debt repayment as a common project to tackle together. Efforts are coordinated to move forward, just like a team paddling a canoe in-sync to move it fast and straight.

They also have regular, honest, and judgment-free money conversations. Finger-pointing is replaced with productive problem solving, especially when they hit bumps on the “debt-free road.”

6. They are patient and disciplined.

Debt Slayers know there is no magic wand that makes debt disappear. It takes a considerable amount of patience and consistent actions on a daily basis.

They do not get discouraged at the amount of time it’s taking them to become debt-free. They remind themselves how far they’ve already come. They focus on their daily efforts, knowing that, in the end, they will add up to a significant feat.

The process is indeed very similar to losing weight. No magic pill has yet been invented to shed weight overnight. The magic ingredients lie within: patience, discipline, and commitment.

7. They find ways to have fun while paying off their debts.

Who wants to live a life based on a restrictive way of being? Not Debt Slayers!

They know that debt repayment is their priority and they derive great joy from seeing it getting reduced. Nevertheless, they still find ways to have fun and celebrate milestones.

People have different notions of what fun is: to some, it may be a fancy candle-lit home-made dinner; to others, it could be attending a concert or going on a weekend getaway. So it’s essential to have something fun to look forward to.

Just like an extremely restrictive diet is bound to fail after some time, paying off debts without ever allowing yourself to have fun will also be doomed.

8. They are not afraid to ask for help.

Some perceive asking for help as a sign of weakness. But Debt Slayers know that properly managing money does not come naturally to everyone. So they guiltlessly ask for help because they see it as a sign of determination to make things better.

Help can come in many forms: it can be joining a Debtors Anonymous group, a Facebook support group or working one-on-one with a money coach.  Help normally comes with accountability and support, which can increase the chances of success.

***

Lama Farran is a Certified Money Coach and an aspiring minimalist, living a debt-free life. Her mission is to help individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind by focusing on the behavioral and emotional sides of money. She also provides practical financial guidance to help her clients become empowered and lead more fulfilling lives. You can claim your free copy of her money guide at  Max Worth.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Never underestimate the importance of removing stuff you don’t need.

Encouragement provides us with motivation to persevere. It invites us to dream dreams of significance for our lives. And it begs us to work diligently with optimism and promise.

Overcoming the pull of consumerism is a difficult challenge regardless of our stage in life. Simplicity requires encouragement. To that end, I hope you will find motivation in these articles below.

Each post was intentionality chosen to inspire simplicity in your life. For maximum effect, find a quiet moment this weekend and enjoy them with a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

Your Desk Will Not Attend Your Funeral | Medium by Todd Brison. When you close your eyes for the last time, the only remnants of a life once lived will be a box, varying in size and style, and the people you affected positively.

I gave up TV, then qualified for Olympic marathon trials and got my PhD | The Washington Post by Teal Burrell. A few years ago, I realized — despite feeling constantly frazzled and busy — that I wasted hours clicking through shows I barely liked or bingeing on series I’d already seen.

Next boss: We’re losing sales because people don’t want to buy more ‘stuff’ | Evening Standard by Jonathan Prynn & Clare Hutchinson. These numbers demonstrate the continuing trend towards spending on experiences away from ‘things.’

What if All I Want is a Mediocre Life? | A Life in Progress by Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui. The world is such a noisy place. Loud, haranguing voices lecturing me to hustle, to improve, build, and grasp for more. But what if I just don’t have it in me? What if all the striving for excellence leaves me sad, worn out, depleted?

How To Kill Your Phone Addiction with 4 Settings, 1 Hair Band, & Post-It Note | Digital Telepathy by Brad Soroka. Because drastic times call for drastic measures.

Here’s to All of You Trying to Make the Most of a Bad Situation

I have a beautiful friend. She is the single-parent of two equally beautiful daughters. Her husband left when the second was born with special needs.

Coincedentally, my neighbor is a single father of two. His wife left him, choosing a life of drugs over a life of responsibility.

My guess is you will never hear the names of these two amazing individuals. You’ll probably never read their blogs or follow them on Facebook. And their faces will probably never be on the cover of a magazine. But I can tell you, without a doubt in my mind, they both work harder at life than I do.

This past Saturday, I got up early to do some work on a new book. In the early morning hours while the sun was still rising, I drove to a quiet location to write. Enroute, I passed a young man, significantly overweight, out jogging. He was sweating profusely. And I was inspired because of it.

His body-shape isn’t the type you’ll see on posters in the local fitness center. But here was a guy, up early on a Saturday morning, working hard to change his life while most of my neighbors were still sleeping.

One more story.

Last week, a colleague of mine led a funeral for a friend who had recently died of a drug overdose. The deceased was a young man who had been born addicted to heroin.

Through no fault of his own but because of the actions of his mother, he waged war against addiction every day of his life. Some days, he won. Some days, he lost. In the end, it took his life.

As my colleague shared his story, he summed it up this way:

Our lost friend will, unfortunately, be remembered by most as a drug addict. But that’s not the man I knew. Quite the opposite in fact. I will remember forever my friend as the man who fought endlessly against an addiction unfairly passed onto him. I will remember him as a man who worked hard to make the most of a bad situation.

Our world loves to glorify beautiful people. We look up to and praise those who have seemingly accomplished much in visible measures. We lift up as role models and examples those who excel in sports, write books, own the stage, or excel in business and politics. And I don’t want to look down on those accomplishments and those examples, there is much we can learn from them.

But let’s face it: Life can also be messy. And not everybody gets to live in the limelight as one of the beautiful people. Some people find themselves struggling to just tread water through very difficult circumstances.

Sometimes, the trials we face in life are a result of our own doing. Sometimes they are a result of a wrong committed against us. But there is little doubt we are surrounded by people facing unfair circumstances in every direction we look.

And many of them, those fighting to make the most of it, deserve our respect and our praise. But they are often overlooked by a society that often praises all the wrong measures of success.

So allow me today… in my own small little way… to recognize those of you who are working hard to make the best of a bad situation. We see you and we applaud you.

Here’s to those of you raising kids without the support of a responsible partner.

Here’s to those of you striving to overcome the cycle of poverty or addiction in your family.

Here’s to those of you working two jobs to provide your children with more opportunity than you had growing up.

Here’s to those of you working to change the unhealthy habits that have defined your life for too long.

Here’s to those of you who have been treated unfairly in the workplace and are working hard to start again.

Here’s to those of you battling a disease that seeks to destroy your body.

Here’s to those of you caring faithfully for a loved one who is nearing the end.

Here’s to those of you who have been knocked down by life, but are staggering to get back up.

We see you and we applaud you.

Not only that, we also thank you. Thank you for inspiring us. And thank you for working hard to make life better—not just for yourself, but for those closest to you. We need more people like you in our world.