//Simplicity

I posted this quote on my Instagram a few days ago. It really struck me in this season I'm currently in. 

I've been learning to live a simpler life. This has not been entirely by choice though. God had really been showing me a whole different perspective. 

I used to think I thought with an open mind. However, this has not been the case. I have literally been forced to depend on people, ask for help and use resources I never in my life thought I would have to use. I have been humbled, stretched in the areas of my life that I have tried to keep to myself, and learned how materliastic and selfish I still was. 

I have and am learning a lot. 

I have learned I can live without the extra. 

I have learned what I truly want in life. 

I have learned to spend money on things that will actually get use. 

I have learned to use up things like soap until it is completely gone. 

I have learned to become more generous. 

I have learned to say thank you and pay it forward when I can. 

I have learned to stop judging props and what I think their situations are like and listen with an open mind, ear and heart. 

I have learned to invest into people more instead of things. 

Most of all I have learned to stop trying to trust Jesus and just actually do it.

There is nothing wrong with a higher eduction, nice things or having financial success. However, when you come to the end of your life or even the end of the day do those things trump your relationships? Friendships? Family? 

I have been forced to stop and learn to live on less and invest my time more into my family and friends. At the end of the day, that matters to me. 

And coffee. 

But I know what extras I want in my life and what things are impulses that are actually covering up other things in my heart. 

I want to give Liam all that I can but I want him to appreciate things, not take them for granted. I want him to know that one season you could have plenty and one season you could have little but your attitude and perspective shouldn't change to much. 

I want to be a person who is intentional with my time and money. I want to invest in things and stop being such a consumer and a slave to wanting and always having more. 

I am thankful that I have been forced down to so little because it has helped my perspective and showed me what truly matters to me. To buy things that I truly love, to spend the extra money on things that truly bring me joy( like coffee!) and to always be generous regardless of what I think someone's situation is like. 

Living simple is not always simple. When you're intentional though you can really live a happier life without trying to fill up with extras that usually fade fast. Those are just temporary fixes. I have found more joy because I cannot have extras and it has helped me tremendously. 

This season did not turn out how I expected but I'm grateful for it. I have been shown things I would have been blinded to before. Here is to living more intentional and simple.