Rural Simplicity

If you are reading this post and haven't checked out the previous (and first) post in this series, you can find it here - Habit and Routine . This series is about the 6 steps to a better organized house and life. Last time we found routines and habits that help us through the day, secretly hauling the heavy loads of decision for us. Today we are going to start by selecting a room and making it yours! If you are standing in the middle of your house seeing chaos in every corner you peer into, then this is  your next step. (Assuming you've read the previous post, I would start there ). If you are living off of wishes, long term goals and ideas, or Pinterest ideas you won't make it far in the world of organizing. You need a "next best step" approach. When you are ready to start getting things under control you can't start by picking up a little in each room, (your kids and housemates will fill in those holes before you even get a foot out of the room.) You w...

Addiction is most commonly thought of in the realms of pornography or drugs/substance abuse. But there are so many other addictions, many which don't receive the same severity from users or onlookers.  Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, food (eating), pornography, working, using computers/phones, exercising, shopping, pain (seeking), playing video games, and gambling, are a list of the major overarching addictions. One can not overcome an addiction by having great amounts of will power or determination, but only once they focus on, and internalize the power of God can one see a possibility for freedom. Psalm 103:2-5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul,  and forget not all his benefits,  who forgives all your iniquity,  who heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit,  who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,  who satisfies you with good." Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west,  so far does he remove our transgr...

I read quite simply what I believe is one of the best books on parenting and I can't wait to share with you my thoughts on it. Once a month I do a post about books, and today's book is so good, that it is the only one I'm featuring. Stay tuned. First off I want to say, this is not a book about disciplining your children , this book is not Bible based, and you won't be needing to take any extra trips to the store for items suggested. I also firmly believe that the core truths of this book would do a wonder of good for anyone - not just parents. The book - "Simplicity Parenting" Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids." by Kim John Payne, M.Ed I am in no way receiving credit, funds, or any kind of payback for promoting this book. I was inspired by it's pages and want to pass along my great find!  Here it is, in all it's library stickered glory!  “When your child seems to deserve affecti...

Habit "For a habit is a delight in itself; poor human nature is conscious of the ease that it is to repeat the doing of anything without effort; and therefore, the formation of a habit, the gradually lessening sense of effort in a given act, is pleasurable."  ~ Charlotte Mason  Because of the age of this quote you might need to reread it a few times and mull it over in your brain. But once the lightbulb goes off, you will see why I felt the need to add it.  We make hundreds if not thousands of decisions in a day. If you do too many new things, say go on vacation, or visit a new place, you may feel tired at the end of the day from the overload of new decisions you needed to make. People complain of getting  stuck in a rut, but it's the ruts that carry us through, giving us familiarity and comfort, taking the majority of the load for us.  Why do we say we need a vacation from vacation? Why is it that a husband who offers to st...