Carvers of Reality: Making Time for What Matters
During the last few months, I have been intrigued with minimalism.There is this distinct reality that exists in people who live with less meaningfully. In my research of various YouTubers, articles, and podcasts, there is one singular notion which stands out; that is to live life purposefully with less. To find the meaning, not in the material, but in the essence of life itself, making time for what matters.The other morning when I woke up, the last sentence was roaming in my head, "make time for what matters." As I laid in bed and contemplated getting up just an hour earlier, I had to remind myself that getting up on purpose is what changes my motives for getting out of bed. I had to ask myself, what mattered to me most at 7:30 ish that morning.Lately, my goal is to spend more time reading my Bible. I have multiple Bibles, physical and digital, but I wasn't really reading any of them. So, I decided to change that. It isn't so much just reading them to have them read, but to see my Bible and all it holds as a beautiful entry into the heart of God. I want to be captivated and enraptured in the love of God and not do what I feel like doing, but learning to grow and do what matters in my life.Much like minimalism, I am developing an understanding of doing more of what matters to me and my life. I haven't fully adopted a minimalistic lifestyle in the true sense, but I have adopted principles of learning to lessen the material possessions I have. (Minimizing stuff is a process.) But, minimizing doesn't always have to apply to physical stuff, but mental, emotional, and spiritual stuff as well. I see how easy it is to fill my time with things that benefit me in no way. Sometimes, the extra hour or three of Hulu isn't worth it. Sometimes perusing through social media ALL the time, isn't helpful. When I do these things I have to bring to my remembrance the power of living every single moment purposefully.
What Does This Mean
I have learned to be a carver of my own reality. There are measures I've had to take and personal boundaries I've had to set, which seems like a lot, yet I realize that if I want to succeed in my goals, my dreams, and visions, it's needed. If I want peace and wholeness, making time for that matters.If I want to be a woman grounded in the Word of God and develop a relationship with God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit that has substance, it's my responsibility to make time and make habits and lifestyle changes that bring about the results I want as a human being and an effective and whole human at that.Making time for what matters allows me to set aside myself and focus on God, which then allows me to see myself not through a lense of my own brokenness, but through His lense of grace and forgiveness, and ultimately love and purpose.
What Does This Mean For You?
How does this all relate to you, reader?Identity | I've said this before, but I know that some of my readers may not be Christian, and that's totes okay because I still want you, dear reader, whoever you may be, to feel welcome on this space of the internet.In continuation of that thought, part of peace and wholeness comes with getting alone with yourself, dealing with hurt, pain, and all the things you may have tried to avoid, yet they persist. Open up so that light can be allowed in. One of the ways I do this is with God. My sweet Jesus is quite literally the best person for me to deal with myself and my own mistakes and brokenness. (If you ever have questions about faith, I'm down to answer, to listen, or just have a convo on the topic of faith.)Goals & Habits | There is power in making lists of your goals and habits, the ones you want to change or keep. Imagination is a useful and important tool. Imagine where you want to be 1 year from now, 5 years from now, and take responsibility for how to make it happen.Mindfulness | Oftentimes we can underestimate the significance of being mindful of what we're listening to, watching, reading, and even WHO we're listening to. What we allow to come into us, in our space, affects so much and that's why carving out time in your day for every day makes you responsible for how you live the life given to you. Be a carver of your reality today. Seek purpose and wholeness and light and lavish it. Life is not meant to be filled with pain and stricken with unhappiness and anxiety. Life is meant to be abundant in grace, abounding in love, and full of peace in the midst of chaos. (Check out John 10:10) See what you can minimize in your life so that other spaces of you can be filled with meaning and purpose. I'm not saying that doing all of this is easy, but it is so worth it, choosing life is so worth it.
Podcasts & YouTubers on Minimalism and Lifestyle/Habits Changes
- The Ground Up Show: Productivity (& any other episode on minimalism
- The Ground Up Show:
- Terri Savelle Foy Podcast: 3 Spiritual Keys to Self-Discipline
- Terri Savelle Foy Podcast: Visualize Your Dream Life
- The Minimalists Podcast: Habits
- School of Greatness: A Spiritual Path for Success with Erwin McManus
All of these podcasts can be found on Spotify and Itunes alike. The Ground Up and The Minimalists shows are really great for creatives and entrepreneurs and those interested in minimalism.Terri Savelle Foy is a super energetic woman whose love for God and passion for doing life with meaning comes through every single podcast. She can also be found on YouTube.School of Greatness is one I just recently found and the episode with Erwin McManus is powerful and sincere and I think every person should listen to this one.
Sincerely,
~Antavia
Photo by Artem Riasnianskyi on Unsplash