From Our Head to Our Feet

“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe.” ―Mitch Albom

A short while ago, I had an interesting experience—one that I don’t recall happening before.

I was asked to speak at a local organization here in Phoenix twice, exactly three weeks apart. It was really interesting, here’s why.

When I have opportunity to speak about minimalism and make the case for owning less, I jump at the chance. It is an important message.

The typical response I receive goes something like this: “Joshua, you are right. I have too much stuff in my house. You should see my garage/office/closet. I am going to get started right away.” Then we say good-bye. I leave. And we never see each other again.

But this time, it was different. This time, I came back three weeks later. And I was able to engage many of them in a follow-up conversation which usually started with, “Hey, so how did it go cleaning out your garage/office/closet?”

I heard various responses. Some had done great. Some had started a little. But some responded by saying, “Oh, you know what? I haven’t even started yet. I really do need to get going on that.”

It is only a 60-inch journey from our head to our feet; but often times, it is the most difficult journey we embark upon. To move an idea from our head to our actions requires discipline: discipline to cut out distractions, discipline to get started, and discipline to get better.

But the reward is always worth the journey.

May I encourage you today? If you know there is something in your life that you need to be doing, please go do it. If it will provide you with greater simplicity, more peace, or a better life in some way, get started now. Life is just too short to wait.

And if I show up in three weeks to ask you about your progress, I better not hear, “Oh yeah, that is a good idea. I really need to get doing that.” Instead, I’ll get to hear about your journey.

Because you will have already started.