by Sharon O | Jan 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
As we come to a closure of the topic of simplify; another area we have not addressed for the new year is calendars.
I am by nature old school meaning I still like paper and pens, calendars that I can open and write in, I am not one to use my phone or computer for day to day events.
I like a small calendar in my purse, I put notes, appointments, phone numbers or shopping lists.
In fact when I got my hair done this last time the one I had was for last year and I didn’t have a space for my next appointment.
My hair dresser had to give me a lesson on how to use my phone one.
She said, “you got a hair cut and a lesson on your phone today.”
The next thing I use a calendar for is to record my testing numbers, since I have to check my blood score every other day I write it down in a new space and record food that might have created a problem for me.
This is my new one for this year. It is small enough to fit in the same basket as my test equipment.
I also have a calendar upstairs in my den so I can keep track of writing projects and or dates when one must be done and submitted. I like to see progress in a paper form and I like to be able to mark it off as finished.
Then I have a calendar in my bathroom on the wall so when I am getting ready for my day it is a reminder of the weeks agenda.
My husband often will say to me, “did you put it in your phone?” My answer will always be no.
I am not wired that way. I have had paper calendars since we have been married and I will always have one.
I even have a hard bound paper address book. Hand written with addresses of loved ones and friends.
Whatever works for you and your home is the best way.
It is more simple I suppose to put it all one space but I like a variety of resources and forms.
It doesn’t matter how old fashioned one is as long as we use the time given to us in a good and positive way.
Do you have a favorite way of keeping track of life’s details?
by Sharon O | Jan 22, 2018 | Uncategorized
A birthday to celebrate for this husband of mine.
We met when we were in high school. I was about 16 he was about 17.
Our first date was a Sadie Hawkins dance at the high school and we got married there.
It’s all a bit too funny now 44 years later.
We dated a off and on for few years before he left to join the navy.
I dated a few others off and on after he left, then after 46 days in the navy he had to come home with a seriously injured knee.
We began dating again and soon would find ourselves planning a wedding.
At ages 18 and 19 we thought we had it all figured out.
Time has a way for us to look back and be thankful of the years we grew up together.
It’s been a long challenging journey of many birthdays spent together.
Today was your 64th.
All day long I kept humming the Beatles tune, “When I’m 64”
When I get older losing my hair, many years from now. Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greeting, or bottle of wine.
They had this song on their Sargent Peppers album.
It is a great reminder that no matter what age we get it is a good question to ask.
Will you remember me when I’m 64?
Of course is the answer… always of course.
by Sharon O | Jan 19, 2018 | Uncategorized
There are other areas in our lives to simplify; one would be in our faith.
If I am telling someone about God or the stories of his goodness and faithfulness.
I keep it very simple so that the story doesn’t get complicated.
Almost to the point of ‘Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so.’
It doesn’t have to be difficult or intense.
It just has to be real and believable, so the one who is listening can hear the power of the truth.
When our oldest granddaughter was about three years old we were at a church service outside where they were having baptisms. On that Sunday it was a dad baptizing his children which was very tender and sweet.
After the third child was baptized our grand daughter stood up on the chair, started clapping and yelling, “do it again God’s in the water.”
She was ready for an all out revival meeting. It was simple and very real.
It was from her heart and she believed God was there. There was no doubt for her.
Everyone who experienced her energy, saw and heard her excitement.
Isaiah 59:21
[And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from now on and forever.]
That is what I’m talking about.
I don’t bring out 12 steps on how to find your faith, I speak truth from my experiences so that others can hear the truth of what I have known. There is power in a story that is real.
Not too different from those who saw and heard Jesus heal others.
They believed just by seeing, not by rules or ‘how to guides’ on how to believe.
Jeremiah 32:39
[I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for all time, for their own good and the good of their children after them.]
It’s powerful. It moves a hard heart into a softened receptive place within the spirit of the one listening.
Joel 1:3
[Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.]
Matthew 18:2-3
Jesus shared the condition of the hearts of the leaders who were questioning him.
[2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”]
He was making a point to them. Children do not question with intense rules. They believe from their heart and from their experience of knowing.
Talk to any little one and they will tell you what they know about Jesus.
It’s very precious to hear their little voices and it’s always very simple.
Psalm 19:7
[The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.]
Psalm 116:6
[The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.]
Psalm 119:130
[The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.]
Are you getting it yet? Faith is not complicated.
It can be as easy as “Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so.”
Let’s simplify the story so others will believe and know for themselves what is true.
by Sharon O | Jan 17, 2018 | Uncategorized
As we move through this process of simplify, it is important to maintain your goal and decision making.
For instance if my goal is to be healthier in three months, lose a bit of weight and get a better lab test, then I would need to decide what has to take place to accomplish this.
The discipline of doing what needs to be done, writing it down and keeping the task ahead becomes less overwhelming.
Lately I have been going to the store with a list, and I follow it as I shop.
Keeping that task easier removes the wandering around trying to figure out a meal list in the store.
How and what needs to be done in order to accomplish that is just as important as the final outcome.
If I want to have a better organized office space; then I have to focus on how would I do that and what would work more efficiently.
The hardest part for me sometimes is the decision making process and maybe the motivation.
It cannot be another day for me to say, “Oh I have loved this sweater I have had it for 25 years.”
Really? yes I am pretty sure there are those in my closet.
Emotions can’t be a part of this process because it only will bring me to a complete stopping point.
In the past I have said, “If I like a pair of pants I will buy three of the same in different colors.”
Is that even necessary? How many do I need?
Oh and don’t get me started on the paper issues. Bills come in the mail and then get stacked in a disordered pile.
Many people love online bills, I do not. I lose track of them, I want to see them in person, read the print and follow the tracking.
I have them come by mail in paper form then shred them when I am done paying them.
There has to be a system that works. Each of us do many different ways and some may work better than others.
Finding and maintaining your goal will be much easier when trying to do this tough work.
I am going to begin with rooms. Each room will have a unique need, the den is different than a bedroom.
So each will need to be organized in such a way that it is clean and uncluttered at the end of the process.
Are we all ready for this monumental task? If you have already done this, that is awesome.
It is a plan of mine to get this disorganized space finished in less than six months.
That allows a lot of time for purging, destroying and organizing.
by Sharon O | Jan 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
The first thing we need to do in this simplify process is make solid decisions final.
In order for the simplify process to begin; one needs to carve out time to do the purging.
Pick one day of the week then start in one corner and move around within the room you are in.
That is what works best for me.
If I try to tackle too much it makes me more disorganized and frustrated.
Begin with one box at a time. Set up a shredding bag, give away bag, recycle bag, save bag.
Each bag has a purpose and don’t spend too much time with any of them.
The point of the process is simplify.
You can even do this in your every day routines.
The other day I looked at my bathroom counter said to myself, “how many lotions, face wash creams, make up brushes do I need? How many do I use? How long have I had them?”
Oh and let’s not forget those drawers full of stuff and cupboards under your sink?
A goal is to make it so easy to see and know what we have and don’t have, so we are not into the guessing game.
I have often purchased items only to realize when bringing them home I already had them.
It used to be a family joke about me shopping in my closet. Now I am thinking it is more of a budget issue.
I think for me I will try to set up a particular day of the week and make that day just for organizing.
By nature what has worked in the past for me is a three day window. If I start a project it needs to be done in three days or less.
Whatever process you or I have to figure out, then let’s make sure we do it.
The other thing that will be really helpful is to determine the final goal, and what must be done to finish it.
If I want less clutter then I have to purge out the collectible stuff.
If I want organized shelves or desk drawers then I have to think of what needs to be done to accomplish that.
How many times have I reached for a pen and couldn’t find one? or a stapler or a roll of tape?
Organized spaces would make life so much smoother and would feel very calm when finished.
So the new goal is making final solid decisions, without remorse and creating time to get it done.
Shall we encourage each other in this process?
by Sharon O | Jan 11, 2018 | Uncategorized
Now that the new word has come the next thing to do is to acknowledge it and decide how it is going to change your year.
Have you ever done a focused word for the year? It’s very life changing. Last year my word was breathe and it really showed me how much I didn’t stop and pay attention to my breath.
This years word is good for me personally.
There is a lot of cleaning and purging to do in my writing room and also within many boxes that are stored.
Then there are closets still full of clothes that don’t fit right or are out of style.
I don’t worry too much about style but comfort is a huge issue for me.
Oh and the books, lots of books that have been read once. Do I need to keep them?
Not unless they are meaningful to me on some level.
I am planning on doing something every month.
We are also remodeling bathrooms and creating better space for us now that we have decided to stay in our home for a few more years.
When I think of simplify it brings to me a vision of counters cleaned off and bookshelves emptied.
A new kind of freedom in letting go and giving away.
When I was in counseling I had lots of journals that were written throughout the years.
It might be time to purge those too and make use of our noisy shredder.
Some things can be left as a memory only for me, and no one else.
Last month I turned 63 and it makes me really want to get ‘things’ taken care of so other’s don’t have to.
Ultimately when we all pass away all that is left is just a few ‘reminders’ of who we were.
Simplify is a good challenge for me. In every aspect I long to keep it simple.
How about you? Ever thought of how you could simplify your life on a daily basis?
by Sharon O | Jan 6, 2018 | Uncategorized
For the last few years I have spent time listening to receive what the ‘new’ word would be for that year.
There have been a variety of words that have come; each giving meaning to what the year might represent.
Not always knowing how the ‘word’ would come to me, I wait and listen and see if it feels right in my ‘heart’.
The other day I took a 2018 find your word of truth test by dayspring and it gave me a word based on my answers to these questions.
1. A year from now looking back on 2018, what would you be most proud of accomplishing?
I decluttered my life. I prioritized God and His calling on my life.
2. Which of these do you most often need to be reminded about?
Slow down. Tune in. Look up. Make sure your heart is where your feet are.
3. Out of these sets of words, which ones are things you want to prioritize in 2018?
Intentionality, purpose and quietness
4. Which bible character do you want to be like in 2018?
Ruth she loved her mother-in-law with selfless devotion and chose joy through multiple hardships and disappointments
5. Which verse resonates with where you are today?
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:16
6. What is something you wished you had done more of in 2017?
Went for it. stepped out of my comfort zone more.
7. What is God calling you to do the most in 2018?
Make time for his plans in your life
The word I received after answering these tests.
Simplify – so I looked up the meaning to see what that would mean for me.
Simplify: to make less complicated, clearer, or easier
Simple: easy to understand, deal with; not elaborate or artificial; unaffected; unassuming; modest:
I actually like this word.
I might not have chosen it for myself; but it does go along with the calm I am trying to create both in my internal spirit and the external space I Live in.
The goal to purge out extra things and to clean goes well within this concept of simplify.
Each month I could try to do one thing that would be part of this process.
I also find my personality has always been these traits, of easy to understand, real and not fake, modest.
So it might be a great fit on many levels for me.
I have found that after choosing the ‘word’ it seems to flow well in the year and I could see it’s purpose.
Do you ever choose a word for the year? How has it worked for you?
by Sharon O | Dec 31, 2017 | Uncategorized
I cannot imagine another year beginning, it feels like we had Christmas way too soon.
Getting older has it’s share of problems and watching time move in a very swift way is one of them.
I just had another birthday, and so far the sixties have been pretty good.
We are financially set, health is good, and we are emotionally well.
I have no complaints. This has been a pretty smooth year, with not a lot of intense losses which is good.
As the new year begins I find myself thinking of what can be done to make this one different.
I’m not making a new years resolution for they usually don’t finish or succeed.
What can be done is to write down and prioritize the things that have worked for us and find ways to make them integrate in the life we choose to live.
There is a goal of maintaining better health, which includes changing the way we purchase food.
We have been moving in the direction of organic and healthy now for a few years.
It is more expensive but also more healthy and with long term results.
I need to get in a more ‘regular writing’ space.
It is important to keep this open and to challenge myself to find the words and encouragement for others.
I am beginning to clean out dressers, boxes and closets and purge out the old and worn.
By nature I am a sentimental messy but that does not mean it has to control my every corner.
Order brings calm and in creating this calm I need to focus on how to get it done and how to keep it.
New goals are exciting bringing to us new visions of what change may look like.
I am not only anticipating our personal goals to succeed but also goals as a couple.
We have plans for redoing our home and just as the physical space needs refreshed; our spiritual space can be also.
When I think of the air of expectancy surrounding the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story.
I am reminded of the air of expectancy for Jesus to return as he promised he would.
The story is not over. Even so we can still plan for a new year and for change to happen.
Until the Lord comes I will continue to write, continue to share and continue to pray for the lives of others.
The ending of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 is upon us.
May we anticipate a new awareness of an exciting year to come. Let us be intentional with purpose.
Are you ready?
by Sharon O | Dec 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
As we have moved through the Christmas story, we find that whose who were a part of it shared an air of expectancy.
I read somewhere that the time frame between the Old Testament and the New, were over 400 years.
Generations had come and gone and none had seen the ‘Messiah’ who was to come and save them.
It had been Prophesied in the book of Isaiah; 7:14
[14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.]
There was silence… A quiet stillness in the heavenly realm until it was time for the birth of a baby.
Immanuel, God with us, The Holy Son of God, Mary’s baby… Jesus. Was coming soon.
I imagine the angels were excited and perhaps guessing who would be chosen to say the words,
“Do not be afraid.”
This is only a guess on my part but one can imagine the expectancy even in heaven.
The time had come and the anticipation and preparing for the son of God to come to us must have been amazing.
The orchestration of players who were chosen to be involved even without knowing their perfect role.
It began long ago, the planning. The details and the way it had to be for scripture to be fulfilled.
We learned of Zechariah and Elizabeth, they had an air of expectancy for their miracle child was to be born.
We learned of Mary and her deep faith and intense role in the birth of her miracle child.
An air of expectancy for sure.
We learned of Joseph and how he was chosen and spoken to by an angel. An air of expectancy for him too.
We learned of the sequence of events when the roman emperor Augustus called for a census the first in many years.
How it was important for the ‘journey’ back to Bethlehem, so scripture could be fulfilled.
Then we learned of the baby born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Even that was significant.
An air of expectancy surrounded the shepherds as they were told in a ‘field’ to go see the one born.
We are told in Luke 2:14 that Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
Then we learn about the moments in the temple when Jesus was 8 days old and ready to be dedicated.
Simeon took him and held him in his arms and prophesied over him.
He had an air of expectancy for years before and it was finally the time.
Luke 2:34 [Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”]
Can you imagine Mary and Joseph? Their expectancy of what was to come?
Then Anna saw and heard it all in the temple. The air of expectancy for her was present and prayed for a long time.
[38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.]
Then later on the Wise men found them after journeying for almost two years. They had an air of expectancy of what they would find.
It all shows us how deep the Fathers love is for us, that HE would orchestrate all of this, so scripture could be fulfilled.
The Christmas story is full of expectancy. I pray it is that way for you too.
by Sharon O | Dec 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
As we have journeyed through the Christmas story we find it amazing how many characters represent the ‘story’.
We learned of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph and the assorted angels who spoke to them.
The Shepherd’s and the wise me, Anna and Simeon who had waited all their lives to meet the Messiah.
We learned of the miracles surrounding each character chosen and appointed to be a part of the Christmas story.
Each were unique in the part they played within the birth of Jesus.
I don’t believe any were coincidental, each were orchestrated just as the continuation of the life of Jesus and the cast of characters who play it to the end.
Even the donkey who carried Mary to the manger scene had a role. A very important role.
To carry the mother of Christ Jesus was a role that was tremendous in this story.
When we sing, “Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining,” even the skies played a role in the birth for we know the stars shone bright for all to see.
Nothing was without reason or importance.
It was all orchestrated and ordained, chosen by a God who loved the world so much.
I have always loved the song, “Mary did you know?” for it brings life and a question to the whole miraculous birth.
Did she fully know, could she fully know, she kissed the face of God?
Joseph found himself in a situation of life changing acceptance.
From that moment on, he would always be Joseph the earthly father of Jesus.
Mary has been known throughout history and portrayed in many ways as the mother of Jesus.
What a life changing and life altering situation for her, to start out as an unknown and finish as a name in history forever.
She had acceptance because of her faith and because she knew the ‘old story’ of a Messiah coming.
I do believe when Elizabeth confirmed her babies ‘reactions’ to Mary, she understood more of the power of the moments.
The Christmas story is full of prophecy, miracles and wonderment.
I pray that as you allow yourself to experience the story perhaps for the first time, your life will be changed too.
[God sent his son into the world so that all who believed in him would not perish but have everlasting life.]
