Peace of Mind with Less Stuff
Have you ever felt anxious and frustrated at home more than any place else? I started feeling this anxiety when I was in my house more so, than at work or out with friends. I found myself finding excuses to leave my home for another appointment, or a shopping outing. Then I realized it was the stuff in my house causing my stress. When we have too many things to manage, life is more stressful. I started listening to the Minimal Mom podcast and I loved the way she described minimalism in such a way that was doable for my lifestyle. She made me want to clear my stuff – to clear my mind. This desire to have more and more is futile. I am now in my mid-40’s and I spent most of my 20’s and 30’s chasing goals, ambitions, and this dream of what I thought a happy life looked like to me. That perpetual rat race got me chronic stress and constant worry. The Bible states “You work and worry your way through life, and what do you have to show for it?” Ecclesiastes 2:22 This quote was said by David’s son, a King of Jerusalem, in his older age. He is reflecting on how meaningless life can be if you only seek material worldly gifts. We are in such a material world full of influencers, celebrities, and friends and family telling us we need the next big thing to feel worthy of love and happiness. I try to focus on my spiritual and moral growth as a Christian mom and wife and less on comparing myself to others. That’s the beauty of humanity. We all have our own stories to tell and we all come from different experiences and yet we all yearn for the same things – human interaction and hope. In this book of the Bible, the author realizes “it is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 This view is the opposite of the “hustle culture” we are in today. So on the days I feel stressed and it seems like everything is bothering me in my house, I start with a trash bag and a sweep of my house. Living with two kids, a husband, three dogs, and multiple family friends visiting on the regular.. our house can get out of place quickly. Just doing that quick scan for trash and things we don’t need and trashing, recycling, or donating items helps so much to relax my mind and my space. When you have more time, a deep decluttering of closets and drawers trains your brain to let go of material objects. I found myself having more time for “me time” when I decluttered. The Minimal Mom, Dawn Madsen says it well in one of her episodes – maybe at this time in your life, you are only supposed to manage a small amount of items. In another season of life, it may be different. I hope you take the advice of the book of Ecclesiastes and slow down and enjoy life with the ones you love because that is what life is truly about -God and love.
Faith to Begin: My Journey
Faith Journey I grew up in a non-practicing Catholic family. Everyone was Catholic except we didn’t go to church. Well except for the occasional baptism, wedding, or funeral. Weekly Mass was not practiced at all. Sundays were for relaxation, football games, and projects around the house. I always believed in God and even the Trinity, but my understanding was weak. Religion has always been an interesting topic for me. I had friends of all different religions, and regularly checking out books about Buddhism, Christianity, and different ways of life was my college extracurricular activity. In one word, I was spiritually confused. I was missing a critical faith foundation, which I believe is a crucial component against life’s obstacles. Faith is the answer to ALL worries, angst, and general adolescent concerns. I didn’t start practicing and understanding more about Catholicism until I was engaged to a Catholic young man – my good friend I grew up with through high school. To be married in the church I started my journey in classes, and ultimately being baptized, accepting communion, and confirming all in one special Easter Mass. Little did I know, my understanding of the faith and the purpose God has for me, is an ongoing journey of faith. It doesn’t stop at the sacrament of Communion. It is only the beginning. formed.org is a great resource to get started learning in your faith journey. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, a newly converted Catholic, or new to Christianity all together, we all have room for expanding our capacity for faith and trust in God. It starts with prayer. Pray to open your heart to the word of God, so that when you go to Mass you may hear Him guide you. So many of us go to Mass because it is tradition, or what our parents told us to do. Some only attend Mass on Easter, Christmas, and family events like a Baptism. I challenge you to go to Mass each week intending to give thanks to God for the week of life you were able to experience. The good of the week, the struggles of the week, and the lessons of the week – bring it all to the Alter – and pray for thanks and ask for understanding with an open heart. Do this for a while.. and you will build a relationship with God, and learn how to hear his guidance. Many blessings to all of you. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26