Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Learning to Simplify

I like to keep my thoughts in order.  Since I have been very focused on simplifying - I decided to write this quick post so I can refer to it and so the progression of my focus will read more fluidly.  If I am seeming a bit extreme lately, maybe reading the way my thoughts have progressed will help others to know where I am coming from.  Here are the posts so far:

- One motivation: My desire for "whole living"
- Making the effort
- Choosing what toys to keep
- Headgates ebook
- My new vision
- A simpler schedule
        - A time to work
- Lessons from the pioneers
- Discerning what is fun
- Too extreme? 
- Clarifications and addressing some concerns
- Creativity (without crafts)
           -Creative thinking and expression
           -The foundation of creativity
           -My Plan of Action
- Going with the flow in these times (and our taste for the better)
-How this helps the kids learn to respect
-The "Virtue" of Stuff
-The "Virtue" of Time (and a small miracle)
-How Our Stuff Weighs us Down
-Headgates and the Closet
-Looking Beyond the Mark

Time to Toss Stuff... Again
           -Computer/Baby Room: Before and After
           -Toy Room: Before and After
           -Master Closet: Before and After
           -Project Room: Before and After
           -The Rest of the House: Before and After (and what I learned)
           -Dulling Our Children's Senses 

TV and Other Headgates: what I have noticed so far

How a Simple Creates an Inspiring Learning Environment

2012 Spring Cleaning

I'm sure there are more to come.  I'll add them here as I go.  I'm just getting this all figured out.
Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord’s kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.” ~Julie B. Beck, “Mothers Who Know,” Oct.2007
*Picture from netstate.com
*Thanks for the quote Donna

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for this, I have been wanting to share and impliment some of what you have posted about in this area and this is helpful. You have been an inspiration in using the TJ Ed model in our lives and in Gospel living.

    The Mothers Who Know talk is one of the ones I have put in a folder for classic talks, essays, etc. to reguarly review.

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  2. Yay! Thank you - I've been wanting to tell my sisters some of the cool stuff you've been doing, but I wasn't sure where to have them start looking on your blog. This will be perfect.

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  3. Just wanted to let you know I'm linking this page to a blog I wrote. I'm really hoping those I know can gain from your posts like I have. Thanks for sharing!

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