Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

What is a habit challenge?  It's a commitment to a new personal routine.  I've chosen 30 days because it's a well-defined period of time, not too long, yet long enough to settle into a new behavior.  Thirty days provides enough experience to make an honest evaluation. Try it... you may like it. The purpose of the challenge is to find out if a new practice is something that works well and improves your life.  Maybe it:  saves you money or time helps you get rid of clutter motivates you to get more exercise encourages you to eat more healthfully causes you to streamline your wardrobe inspires you to be more mindful and grateful It may or may not become a permanent part of your life.  It's an experiment , meant to be enlightening and fun. 15 challenges with potential to change your habits (and your life) 1.   For 30 days, eat 20 meals per week at home (eat out only once per week). 2.   For 30 days, spend 5 minutes moving every hour (except when you're asleep).  Y

I don't often write poetry, but I recently tried to write new words for an old holiday tune, and decided to share the result. Bright stars shine in a wintry sky, Moon is rising, night winds sigh, Shepherds with their flocks bed down In the fields near Bethlehem town; Silver light glows all around, Glory, alleluia. Angels come with joyous news, A Savior's born for me and you, Choirs are singing peace and mirth To all people of the earth, For God's love grants all souls worth, Glory, alleluia. Through starlit streets the shepherds trod, To see the infant Son of God, Marvel at the lowly place Where God comes down to our sad race And offers His amazing grace, Glory, alleluia. Go and tell both far and wide, Of Jesus' birth at Christmastide, This holy Child, our Prince of Peace, Has come to give our souls release, That greed and strife may finally cease, Glory, alleluia. Now sing alleluia! Merry Christmas

Jo March in the classic  Little Women * says that "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," but is that really true?  We can understand Jo's feelings when we realize that she and her sisters were giving up so much else that might have made their holiday merry.  Their father was away serving in the Army during the Civil War, and they barely had money for everyday needs such as food, heat, and clothing, let alone anything special for a celebration.   *  This blog is reader-supported.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission. When other circumstances are bleak, presents can seem like the one bright spot. Do you know of anyone in a similar situation?  A family with a parent on active duty somewhere in a dangerous part of the world?  Someone out of a job (or working two or more low-paying jobs) and struggling to buy groceries, coats, boots, or to pay for light and heat?  Perhaps you know someone dealing with health issues and doctor's bill

One of the best ways I know to limit consumerism is to replace shopping with time in nature.  The world created by God is an effective antidote to the man-made glitter and hype of the marketplace.  When I'm tired of the crowds or the traffic or the constant pop renditions of Santa songs, even a walk through the park can restore my sense of peace and joy . For me, being more aware of the natural world seems to deepen the spiritual impact of Christmas. As the winter solstice approaches, the period of daylight grows slowly shorter.  Sunsets come earlier, and the welcome glow of Christmas lights and candles, and the sparkling winter constellations, remind me that even when things seem dark, the light of faith can shine brightly .  And isn't that the central message of Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter holidays? A reason for hope So much of our culture is about making money.  Our world is in thrall to consumerism, and the month of December demonstrates that more than any oth

As days get shorter, wetter, and colder this season, you might wish you could snuggle down and hibernate until March.  But with so much to do to get ready for the holidays, you need energy more than you need to take cover. Enter hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah"), the Danish concept of positive self-care, perfect for rest and rejuvenation. The Danes know a thing or two about coziness.  During long northern winters when it can be dark for up to 17 hours a day, Danes lift their spirits with the comforts of hygge.  But while hygge has been aggressively marketed of late, it is definitely not about buying something to improve your mood. Hygge: Not for sale in stores. Meik Wiking, Danish author of The Little Book of Hygge , says that hygge has been corrupted by marketers who have turned something that has always been free into something they can sell.  $100 "hygge blankets" and $40 "hygge-scented" candles are commercial hype.  Hygge, Wiking explains, is not about thi

I'm so pleased and grateful to once again be featured on the minimalist website,  No Sidebar . The piece I wrote is partly about a holiday tradition in my town, and while I like the photo chosen by the editor of No Sidebar, I thought I'd share an actual photo of one house on Toyon Avenue, so you can see the work of some Christmas-loving homeowners. What makes the holidays special for you? Ask anybody what they love most about Christmas.  I've never heard anyone mention receiving gifts.  A few mention making or giving gifts, but most speak of lights and music, snow and coziness, family, memories, and love.   I hope you're making time to savor the people and traditions that mean the most to you during this season.  It goes by so fast – don't miss it!

Nothing. Ask most minimalists what they want for Christmas, and that's probably what they'll say.  "Nothing, thanks!" But maybe you want to give a gift anyway, or maybe you're a minimalist (or an aspiring minimalist!) who wants to give gifts, but doesn't want to add to anyone's clutter. Here's a list of gifts guaranteed to brighten any minimalist's holiday. 12 gifts for someone who doesn't want more stuff 1.  Tickets Minimalists prefer experiences to material things.  If you know he'd be interested, tickets to a play, the symphony, a special art exhibit, a concert, a sporting event, or even a class (cooking, yoga sessions, beginning guitar at the local community college) would make a wonderful gift. 2.  Gourmet items Minimalists prefer consumables to other physical items.  Again, you need to know your recipient.  For some, a bottle of organic wine would be greatly appreciated, others wouldn't care for that at all.  But there are

Guess what?  A minimalist home doesn't need to be all white, with chrome and glass furniture and one piece of modern art.  Minimalism is about owning what you use and love, and it's not confined to a particular decorating style.  A home can be uncluttered yet warm, inviting, relaxed, and personal. 7 minimalist ways to add coziness and character 1.  Choose natural materials. Natural materials are attractive and comfortable.  Possibilities include a wooden table, rattan chairs, a leather ottoman, a wool area rug, a cotton quilt, or pure beeswax candles. 2.  Let there be light. Open the blinds during the day to maximize natural light, or hang sheer curtains if you need to screen an unattractive view or maintain privacy.  Make sure your windows are sparkling clean and the sills uncluttered.  A mirror will reflect light and visually expand your space.  In the evening, avoid glare by using task lamps instead of ceiling lights, and burn a candle or two for a warm, romantic glow

If you're reading this, it's pretty likely that you have a roof over your head, plenty of food on your table, an education, and many other benefits of a modern life. We know, even though we may not like to think about it, that others are not so blessed.  Too many homeless are sleeping on the streets tonight, too many children are going to bed hungry, and too many people are without basic medical care or even clean water to drink.  And, shamefully, that kind of deprivation exists in our own country, not just in some far away locale. Minimalism makes us rich. Minimalism isn't just about decluttering our homes and our calendars – it's about realizing that we have enough, and that we can do some good with our excess.  We can donate items we're not using, and we can be generous with our time or our money to help someone in our own town or halfway around the world. The ability to be generous is one of the greatest gifts we have, and  when we give, the impact is greate

A non-minimalist might not realize this, but the best way to make the holidays happy is to create some limits.  Limits are good for several reasons:   They create financial peace of mind. They curb materialism in yourself and your children.   They create a bit of breathing space amid the bustle and busyness.   They force you to choose from among myriad possibilities with thought and care, and choosing helps you focus on what means most to you. We don't do our children any favors by over-indulgence.  How difficult will life be if they always expect to have their own way and get everything they want when they want it?  What will the world be like if everyone feels that kind of entitlement?   Helping kids understand and cope with setbacks and limitations is one of the best things we can teach them.  And putting limits on yourself is one of the best ways you can teach it. Question your status quo. Ask yourself why you're tempted to buy so many gifts for your child (or for othe

What is "grace," and what makes it essential to a good life? "Grace" has the same root as "gracias." When we say grace , we're thankful.    We pause, notice, and appreciate.  By focusing on all that is good in our lives, we crowd out more negative thoughts.  So by practicing gratitude, our blessings seem to multiply. When we're gratified , we experience satisfaction.    Our needs and wishes have been met, and we are content with what we have. When we're gracious , we give.  We're generous, not envious.  We're forgiving, not petty.  We experience bounty, potential, and optimism rather than deprivation, lack, or defeatism.  We see and celebrate all that we have, instead of focusing on and lamenting what we don't have.  We experience contentment, and we look for ways to share our blessings. When we congratulate , we overflow with happiness for another person.  We rejoice because of another person's accomplishment or

I guarantee that a minimalist mindset will make your holidays more joyful.  And no, I'm not envisioning a Little House on the Prairie Christmas with candy canes and handkerchiefs for gifts. Simply put, managing your money, time, and energy during the holidays will bring more peace and comfort to your days, now and into the new year.  When you find out what matters most to you, and focus your attention and resources on those things, the return is far greater than what you'll get from trying to buy and do it all. Your money Even if you've already begun (or finished) your holiday shopping, it's not too late to create a budget for your money.  If you're anything like me, you tend to hope you'll have enough money, and if you feel like you've overspent, there's always the credit card.  Problem?  Holiday shopping isn't an emergency (which really should be the only reason you whip out the plastic), and you have to pay eventually.  January always comes

There are many ways to start down a minimalist path – it's not a one-size-fits-all blueprint.  One of these ideas might be just right for you. 10 ways to begin with minimalism 1.  Visualize your pared-down life. Take a break with pen and paper and make a list of three to five things that would change if you embraced minimalism.  Would you have a living room that's ready for relaxing and socializing? a kitchen with clear counters ready for cooking and baking? a polished table ready for dinner or a family board game? a bedroom that's private and restful? a bathroom that's spa-like? fewer but better toys that your kids can put away on their own? fewer but better clothes that fit and flatter and make getting dressed a pleasure? a calendar with some empty slots for down time or spur-of-the-moment creativity? a balanced budget, with a plan for getting out of debt? or some other improvement in your day-to-day life? Discover your minimalist priorities. 2.

Happy first anniversary! Yes, it was exactly one year ago today that I published my first post... and today I'll share a revision of that post. "Are you ready for Black Friday?" It was just friendly chitchat from a store clerk, but it caught me by surprise.  The aisles were packed with people shopping for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, just as I was.  But in our consumerist culture, Thanksgiving Day has become Black Friday Eve.  The real event is a long weekend of shopping. I'm not the first to notice the irony.  Thanksgiving, which is supposed to be a day about being grateful for all you have, has become a time to make a shopping list and plan your retail strategy, because everyone you know (yourself included) wants even more . Apparently, the true meaning of the holidays in America isn't family, or peace on earth, or the light of goodness and joy shining in spite of the darkness of human woes. It's about a bunch of new stuff .  Even children are e