Less Is More

 When I began blogging, I just wanted to write. I never imagined that the wonderful people I'd meet would be part of the plan. One of the very dear friends I've made is Gigi, of KludgyMom. Gigi guest posts here today, on a subject we've both discussed at length: how wanting what you have is the key, and not vice versa. Thank you, Gigi, for this beautiful reminder.

The other day, we were at a friend's house. This friend has a mack daddy house. It's a beautiful Tuscan-inspired mansion on the shores of Lake Austin with everything you can imagine: firepit, BBQ, pool, boat dock. It's rockin'. Before they built this house, they were renting a very modest home. As my 5 year old daughter looked around this palatial setting, she said to me, "I liked their other house way better."

Less is more.

My son was asked to complete a Father's Day questionnaire about what he loves doing most with his dad. He wrote, "Just spending time with him at home."

Less is more.

In my twelve years with my husband, we've lived in a total of 6 different houses ranging in size from 900 square feet to 3500 square feet. We don't reminisce about the days of living in a giant house. We talk about our happiest times being in that charming, tiny old house in San Franciso.

Less is more.

About 2 years ago, we went through a period of financial struggle. We had no babysitters, no luxuries, and budgeted about $30 each month to do one fun thing outside the house with the children. Once we explained that we had to save our pennies, they never once asked for anything extra. And they were so incredibly grateful for the small things we got to go out and do together. Now that we have more financial flexibility, they can't seem to ever have enough splurge items.

Less is more.

 

Isn't it easy to fall into the mindset that acquiring things is important? I fall prey to it far too often. .

It's not wrong or bad to have "things." But they need to have a proper place on the ship of one's life. You stack your car, and your house, and your Iphone, and your designer clothes, and the rest of your stuff too close to the front of the ship, and you're going to start to nosedive. Then a wave comes. It might be monetary difficulty. Or it might just be an innocent child's wise observation. It slams into the bow of your ship, sending it reeling upwards.

Yes, life always steps in to make sure you re-learn the lesson you've already been taught several times. Stuff is really all just noise, and clutter. It obfuscates that which is real, that which makes a marriage strong, that which makes a child feel loved, and warm, and safe.

The stuff slides to the back of the boat. Your ship is right-sided again. Teaching you once again that less is more.

Do you fall prey to the "more is more" mindset?  Has life right-sided your ship?


Thank you, Gigi, for a wonderful guest post.  If you are new to Gigi, please be sure to stop over and get to know her at her blog, KludgyMom. She is the original versatile blogger, and whatever she writes on for the day, is always expertly and excellently done. So glad to have met you, Geeg.