What I Learned from 30 Days to a Simple

I just wanted to do a recap today on what I have learned practically on this 30 day journey. Many of the concepts that I listed I already do and some may just not work for me right now but there were a few that I have implemented in my life and it is amazing how it is really making a difference in my life. There are a few that I haven't done yet but plan to.

Every post has caused me to reflect and evaluate if I am doing good in that particular area and to check my perceptions. The one area of my life that I am the least disciplined in is the financial area, this is the area I knew I needed to work on the most. So naturally, these are the areas that stood out the most as something I needed to change in.

So here is what I am doing differently since beginning this 30 days to a simpler life

1. I am really becoming very aware of my tendency to procrastinate. I am working hard at doing things ahead of time instead of waiting until the last minute. I am not perfect at this probably never will be but I am more aware and making an effort to do things ahead of time and plan a little better. I have a long long way to go but at least I am doing something

2. We started a "tax your family jar" from Day 18. There is only the two of us now but we both put $1 a day into a jar.....not to be touched until end of year. We will have around $700 by Christmas.

3. The dreaded "envelope system" :) Well, it's not dreaded anymore and it is actually working! I have a new sense of empowerment with my money.....a little scary. Here is what I do and the results. This is the biggest change I have made and it so far is amazing. I take my cash that I get for 2 weeks and distribute it into envelopes according to what I am responsible for. I have one envelop for my tithe and one for my savings. I do not use a credit card or even a debit card, just cash. I only put the amount of cash in my wallet that I feel I will need for that day.

Results: I find I think carefully about buying things. I think about the fact that after the cash is gone for the 2 weeks it is gone. There is something about handing out cash instead of a plastic card that gives you pause. Well, I have finished my first 2 weeks, and have not used anything that wasn't in my envelopes and even saved some. I am impressed with myself and my hubby is ecstatic. :) If you are a spender give it a try - I would never have thought it would work for me. I'm doing it again this week.

I'm taking a month off from 30 day blogging - I will do the usual once a week but I will be back in March with a new 30 day blog in March.....so stay tuned.. and thanks to all who have joined me in making life a little simpler!

Love,
Kathy

Day 30 - of 30 Days to a Simplier Life!!!!

WE DID IT!!! Here we are our last day and look at all we have learned. Well, I did anyway. :)
I'm going to cheat a little today and I'm calling this post - TRUE SIMPLICITY!

The reason is because today I saw the example of "true simplicity" Where would that be?? In the actions and joy of children.

Today we celebrated my oldest granddaughter 6th birthday. As usual, her Mommy did an amazing job at creating a beautiful atmosphere for Kaitlyn. the theme was "a lady bug party" and everything was ladybug and gardening. I am going to put a few brag pictures up for you to see but I first want to explain the simplicity part.

First thing was the beautiful simplicity which my daughter put together the decorations for the party. Of course, keep in mind she is very creative and good at putting all kinds of handmade things together. But it was simple but in it's simplicity it was all amazing and beautiful - better than anything you could ever buy at a store.

She made little lady bug purses for each of the girls - and you would have thought the little girls had been given a million dollars when they got the little ladybug purses. (again simplicity) They were so excited. She made a ladybug cake that looked as good as anything you would buy at Publix and tasted better. Then for the grand finale - she purchased online 1500 ladybugs for only $8 and at the end of the party we took them outside and put them on all the plants.

So my point is you can make a kids party or really any event wonderful with very simple things and little money, although you do need alot of creativity. :) My other point is that children are very happy with the simple things in life and need much less material stuff to make them happy and excited than sometimes we think.

It was a great day and I just want to send a shout out to my daughter Debbie, for all her hard work and creativity that gave her daughter a party she will never forget. Now, she needs to start figuring out what to do before October, which is Anna's (her littlest) birthday. :)

The Ladybug Cake

The Ladybug Purses

Papa and Daddy potting plants
for the girls to take home in the pots they painted
Letting the Ladybugs out!

The Birthday Girl and her mommy and sister

Tomorrow a recap of all I have learned and even changed during this 30 days to a Simpler Life!

Day 29 - of 30 Days to a Simplier Life

Two more days! I think I am ready to be done with this. It really has been great and I have learned alot but I am really stretching to find new topics so I'm glad there is only one more day! Today I'm going to talk about "Simple" ways to show someone you love them.

The tendency we have in this area is to show people we love them the way we want to be shown love, but that is not always what that other person needs or wants. I great book to understand this better is Gary Chapman's " The Five Love Languages" Here is a link to take the test, http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/

Here are the five basic ways people want to receive love:

1. Word of Affirmation: Encouraging, kind and humble words. Example: Compliment them on something that's personally important to them.
   This could have something to do with work or a hobby. It helps if you're saying something in public that builds them up. It also feels good to have something nice said behind your back make it's way to you.
2. Quality Time : Being together, quality conversation, quality activities Example: Take an interest in what they're doing even if it's not something you'd normally do. You may not be a sports fan or like the same type of movie, but go anyway just to spend time with them.
3. Receiving Gifts: Moneyless gifts/thoughtful gifts,gifts of your physical presence Example: Not just on Valentine's Day but on a typical day where it really would be unexpected. Pay attention to what a person finds interesting and base the gift on that.
4. Acts of Service: Household duties, outward duties (run to store, pick up kids) and special favors done (make dinner, change diapers) Example: Do something nice for them around the house so they can spend that time doing something they enjoy. The gift of time is a very good gift, especially for moms who have hectic schedules.
   
5. Physical Touch: (Holding hands, back rub) Hugs for no particular reason--they're free and never get old.
   

These are mainly just a starting point. Ideally, you want to pick out things that will be unexpected to the person as far as timing and still fit their personality. So go out today and show someone you love them!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)

Day 28 - of 30 Days to a Simplier Life

Ok, 3 more days! Today's post may seem to be more for those who are a little bit more mature.... :) but I don't think it is. I have many times seen young moms frazzled with not being able to remember things. Of Course, the cause is probably for different reasons. As we get older we do lose some brain cells so our memories does decrease and when we are younger I think it is more a case of an overfull brain. Too many things going on.

So whichever it may be, today's post may be a help to you.

Simple Ways to Improve you Memory:

• Indulge in Caffeine and Chocolate. I know you think I'm making this up! But I'm not, this is true! Don't you love it! In fact, as I write I need to be indulging!!! Memory experts say consuming a little caffeine and chocolate each day may help you remember information better. But you need to choose the right kinds. Strive to get your caffeine from black or green tea. (but my personal opinion is that coffee is good to) You'll also be taking in important antioxidants that stave off brain cell damage. Just don't drink your tea with milk because milk interferes with the absorption of those antioxidants.When you buy chocolate, choose dark varieties made with at least 60 percent cocoa.
• Get Enough Sleep - To maintain memory, most people need to get about eight hours of sleep a night.
• Work Out - There is just no getting around it...in just about every area of life exercise is going to help you. Experts agree that aerobic exercise improves your memory by doing more than just enhancing your sleep quality. Anytime you do at least moderate exercise (like brisk walking), your brain receives a larger-than-usual supply of blood, Aerobic exercise also improves memory by relieving stress, Most experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or biking, daily.
• Eat the Right Fats - You need to eat fat daily to maintain brain power. But as with chocolate and caffeine, you need to choose the right kind. Certain kinds of fish and fish oil supplements, flaxseeds and flaxseed supplements, and canola, soy, and walnut oils contain these fatty acids, but some research suggests that whole fish is the best form for brain function. Eating 4 ounces of fatty fish [like salmon or sardines] four times a week probably does your brain a lot of good." On the flip side, experts agree that trans fats (found in hydrogenated oils) are the worst fats for your memory.
• Challenge Your Brain - Research shows that the more intellectually stimulating your occupation is, the better your brain functions throughout your life. But don't despair if your job is dull. A few studies suggest that adopting intellectually challenging hobbies like crossword puzzles or reading can also boost your brain power.

Day 27 - of 30 Days to a Simplier Life

Well, 4 more days left of "30 days to a simpler life" I'm running out of ideas! :) But I will say doing this has been good for me. I have learned alot as I researched all these different areas of simplifying and I have actually made some changes in my life as a result. It feels good! On the 31st I will write a review of the things I have actually begun to implement in my life and how that is going for me. And yes, I am doing the envelope system and it is working!!! My hubby is sooo impressed and surprised, I will write more on the 31st. So let's see if I can finish this up. If anyone has any ideas out there I would love to hear them!

Today I am just going to share my little list of what I am going to call, "Simple Pleasures" These are the things in life that just make you feel happy and content. They are usually very simple, familiar everyday things. They are the things that when everything is crazy in life that when that thing or that smell is there for a tiny little moment, all is well with our world. This is my list and your list will probably be different than mine, but make a list so that when you need a little getaway and you can't go anywhere - possibly you can pull one of these out.

Kathy's Simple Pleasures:

• My first cup of coffee in the morning.
• Digging into a new bible study series
• A good book
• Seeing a great movie and have a large bag of popcorn on my lap. :)
• Sitting in front of the fireplace. (doing this right now.)
• Spending time with children (especially grandchildren)
• Familiar smells - fresh bread, coffee brewing or a pie cooking. My mom and dads house had a smell - a good one - that just reminded me of them.
• Taking a hot bath - even better if you have a jacuzzi tub - I don't :(
• Fresh clean sheets to climb into
• An unexpected compliment
• A real letter or package in the mailbox
• Sleeping while it's raining
• Finding money you didn't know you had
• A morning run
• Walking barefoot in the grass - I loved doing this in Pennsylvania - not the same in FL
• Listening to a great song
• Eating a piece of chocolate
• Getting a Dunkin Donuts coffee or a Starbucks latte - are you seeing a pattern here??
• Having a "lazy" day

I will stop there but I really could keep going...it's amazing how many wonderful, simple things there are in life that can just make you feel like all is well at least for that moment. Make your list and when needed most take a few moments to enjoy a "simple pleasure"

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Day 26 - of 30 Days to a Simplier Life

Simple Ways to a longer life

As we are nearing the end of our 30 Days to a Simpler Life I thought this one would be an important one. Most of these are small adjustments we can make to our lifestyle that can reap big rewards. Even if you don't live longer by doing these you will live better.

• Laughing: 100 to 200 laughs are equivalent to ten minutes of jogging or rowing, says US cardiologist, Dr William Fry. Research also shows that it lowers levels of stress hormones, and heightens the activity of the body's natural defensive killer cells and antibodies.

• Eating the right food: A better diet appears to be a deciding factor in living longer. French people have the longest life and tend to eat more fresh food, shop every day at local markets and rely less on convenience food than we do.

• Make your marriage work: Being happily married for a long time leads to greater life expectancy for men and women. However, divorcing then remarrying actually increases the risk of dying prematurely, says a study in Health Psychology Journal.

• Walk, run, jump: People who exercise have a 40% less chance of developing heart disease and studies have also found that people in the lower 20 per cent of fitness were three times more likely to die prematurely than the fittest group.

• Have sex: I am talking about being married here! Couples with a healthy sex life can look up to seven years younger than those who don't, according to a study by Dr David Weeks at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. This is because sex reduces stress, leads to greater contentment and better sleep.

• Live in the country: People living in rural areas have a higher life expectancy than those living in cities. I'm ready to move!

• Watch your weight: Overeating is one of the main causes of ageing and increases the risk of heart disease and cancers of the colon, womb, gall bladder, ovaries and breast.
  

• Have lots of children: A study in Psychology of Ageing found that the more children women have, the greater their life expectancy. Interesting!

• Learn something new: Brain cells work together, so learning new skills improves your brain function generally. '

• Be a Positive person: Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US found that optimistic people live about 12 years longer than pessimistic ones. Pessimists are more prone to viral illnesses, such as colds and flu

• Enjoy chocolate: I absolutely love this one! Research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who eat a moderate amount of chocolate live longer than those who never touch sweets.
  

• Find God: I love this one too! Going to church increases life expectancy, according to a study in the International Journal for Psychiatry and Medicine. It's particularly good at helping people's stress and emotional problems, and seems to protect against diseases such as heart, respiratory or digestive problems.
  

• Enjoy a cup of tea: Green and ordinary black tea pack the same amount of antioxidants and have equal benefits. Harvard researchers found that drinking one cup of black tea a day cuts heart disease risk dramatically.
  

• Get a pet: Families who own a dog or cat are less stressed and visit their doctors less often than those who don't, say scientists from Cambridge University. Pets make you feel optimistic and relaxed, which lowers your blood pressure. Even a goldfish in a bowl works.
  

Psalm 91:14-16 (New Living Translation)

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Day 25 - of 30 to a Simplier Life

Simple Ways to Help

We live in a time where the needs in our world, country and community are overwhelming. So much so that sometimes we can feel we can't really make a difference. That is not true, if you can even make one person smile today or encourage someone who is weary with life's difficulties you HAVE made a difference, you make a difference in that one person's life and that is what matters.

So here are some SIMPLE ways to give hope and encouragement to the world around us:

1. Smile and be friendly. Sometimes we get so busy we don't even look at the person at the checkout counter, or the people we work with or where ever life takes you today. So for today, notice the people around you and if you can, "smile and be friendly" Just give them an encouraging word.
2. Call a charity to volunteer. Volunteering is one of the most satisfying things you can do. Find an organization you believe in or volunteer in your church - even if it's just once a month or even just a one time thing.
3. Donate something you don’t use. Or a whole box of somethings. Drop them off at a goodwill or churches that are taking collections for Haiti
4. Make a donation. There are lots of ways to donate to charities online, or in your local community. You can give $10 through a text message to the Haiti relief fund to the Red Cross. Go without your DnD or Starbucks for a couple weeks.
5. Comfort someone in grief. Most of us get really nervous in these situations and actually avoid the person, just remember the greatest thing you can do for a person who is grieving is to be there, just to give a hug or a listening ear, that is what they need most. This is a great site to help you do this: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/helping_grieving.htm
6. Show appreciation, publicly. Praising someone on a blog, in front of coworkers, in front of family, or in some other public way, is a great way to make them feel better about themselves. Just make sure it is sincere.
7. Be patient. Sometimes people can have difficulty understanding things, or learning to do something right. Learn to be patient with them.
8. Create a care package. Soup, reading material, tea, chocolate … anything you think the person might need or enjoy. Good for someone who is sick or otherwise in need of a pick-me-up.
9. Begin a "Do something nice day". Pick one day a week that every week on that day you will specifically do something nice for someone. Here is a site that will give you some great ideas. http://www.helpothers.org/ideas.php

"The core message is that in spite of everything that is going on in the world, you can make it better. You don't need a lot of time or a lot of money."

How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
- William Shakespeare