These days, there are way too many demands on our time. We feel pulled in a hundred different directions. We’re stressed and angry. We’re guilty. The opposite of peaceful Simplicity.
If your kids are in almost any kind of organized activity, you’re expected to volunteer in some capacity. Even their schools make demands on our time for PTA, fundraising efforts and classroom helper.
Our churches need us. Our communities need us. Our families need us.
Many of these activities are good things. They’re for a good cause or they bring us pleasure. Some things (like the root canal you’ve been putting off) are unavoidable; we just have the bite the bullet and do them.
But if you really strive for more Simplicity in your life, I invite you to take a good, hard look at your commitments and chose one or more of them to stop. Sure, it’ll be hard. Yes, people might get upset. But we have to learn to say “No” to the Good Things so we can say “Yes” to the Great.
I’ve been invited to join several book clubs and Bible studies over the years. Some of them were tempting. One, in particular, was especially hard to say “No” to. It was hosted by a good friend of mine who was having trouble getting the club off the ground. She asked me to commit to just 6 months until she could build a more regular attendance. I could tell the club meant a lot to her and I wanted to help her out. Plus, the club would focus on parenting books, so it was definitely a topic near and dear to my heart.
I wanted to say yes. I almost said yes. But then I took a good, sober look at my schedule and saw the things that I would have to drop in order to participate in this new thing. One thing I noticed is that between working outside the home 2 days a week, my MOPS commitments, and my daughter’s swim classes, our homeschooling time was being compressed more than I felt comfortable with. I simply couldn’t add another thing.
So I said “No.” It was hard. My friend was disappointed. But, thankfully, she was a good friend who respected my commitment to my priorities.
Do you have trouble saying “No?” Practice it with your kids first. “No, you can’t have another cookie.” “No, you can’t stay up late.” “No, I can’t get you a popsicle while I’m in the shower.” 😉
I heard this phrase a long time ago, and it’s stuck with me as a graceful way to bow out of requests. Simply say, “Thank you for thinking of me. That sounds like a great opportunity. I simply can’t add another thing to my plate right now.” Go ahead: practice it in the mirror a few times if you have to. Try it out with your kids. Then use it with grown-ups 😉
We can’t do it all. When we try, we fail. Then we feel guilty for failing. But when we don’t try to do it all, we feel guilty for not trying hard enough. I say enough guilt is enough! Say “No” to the Good so you can say “Yes” to the Great. You’ll be more fulfilled, more relaxed, and more at peace. And that, my friend, is at the heart of Simplicity.
What commitments have you said no to so you could focus on the most important things? Are there commitments you can let go of to bring more Simplicity to your life?
