A Life Changing Book
Time for a little update on how reading the book “Seven” has really convicted me. I originally shared about it as one of my Friday Fab Faves. (And today I’m giving away a free copy of Seven to one lucky reader!!!)
This book has opened my eyes and changed my heart in so many ways. It is a life changing book that has helped me to take new steps in my life. Steps towards being more “other centered” and basically less focused on myself.
My weekly Bible Study group is currently doing the book as our study. So now I am re-reading it and taking much more action. We take one week to read a chapter and then the second week we put our study in action. Jen (the author) fasted from seven things for seven months, one fast item/focus per month. In my group we are doing one item fast per week, every other week.
Pretty doable right?
Here is a recap from my first three “fasts.”
Food Fast
I chose to fast from one meal a day. To remind myself to focus on the Lord and to keep my priorities in check. It also served as a reminder of how blessed I am to have such an abundance of food in my home. I chose to fast from breakfast and it was really hard. I am not necessarily a big food person, but I felt drained not starting my day with a good meal. Thankfully the quality time I spent with Jesus made up for it. And it also gave me compassion for all the people who suffer with hunger pains on a daily basis. Which breaks my heart.
We also made a pact as a family to go seven days without a trip to the grocery store. Not really that hard, but it reminded us to be resourceful rather than just making an extra trip for a couple of things.
Clothing Fast
I picked out seven items of clothing and ONLY wore those items for seven days. It was interesting. I have never worn the same thing for so many days in a row. It was humbling. Humbling to realize that many people only have a few items of clothing to choose from on a daily basis.
You know what was interesting though? People didn’t notice. I saw several people repeatedly and nobody said anything. And it was much simpler! I didn’t have to think about what I was going wear every morning. My big take away is that I will be investing in my basic pieces much more going forward. In fact I am sharing tomorrow about my jean philosophy. I think that if you have good solid quality neutral pieces you can have fewer items of clothing and change-up your outfits easier by accessorizing. Less IS more!
Possessions Fast
Oh my, I thought this one would be easy. In some ways it was. I decided to try to purge around 200 items. I only made it to around 125. It was amazing to me how many little things I could still find to get rid of and donate. I went through my entire house and even my own closet twice. I really evaluated why I was keeping certain things. In my closet I turned all of the hangers backwards and I’m going to do another purge in September and donate anything that hasn’t been turned around between now and then.
I have also decided not to buy any clothes this year. I have plenty. I have enough workout clothes that I could just wear those the rest of the year and be fine. Instead of adding to my already plentiful wardrobe I am taking that money I would have spent and plan to give it away each month. I want to use my resources to help others rather than just continuing to add to my excess. I am choosing to be more deliberate about what I bring into my home. Ultimately I am choosing to shop and spend with more intention.
I want less.
I want to give more.
I need to sign off now and go look for a compost from Amazon. (You think I’m kidding?)
