What's Really Important?

Everyone has been talking about the current economic troubles, how to survive, how to cut corners, without cutting your throat, and how best to use the time and money we have left over. Money left over, has NEVER been a problem for me! There's seldom any left over!

I'm reading a book "Addicted To Hurry" by Kirk Byron Jones. In it he challenges me, as the reader to re-asses my priorities, and make time to rest with God, and my family. It was a good time for me to find this book, I have been on a spiritual journey for the last several years. In this journey I have been trying to pare down my life, and include only the essentials for a comfortable life with my children, (adults that they are) close friends and family.

I think it all comes down to the title of today's blog, What is really important to you? Money we need for food, shelter, transportation. Do you need the extra car, the boat, the gym membership, the designer clothes? Take time to cook yourself, do your own laundry, hang your clothes on the line (in the summer when they won't freeze), dryers are good in the winter.

I love to hang my sheets out on the line in the spring and summer, they smell so wonderful when they come in, and also make me feel good while hanging them; even looking at them while they are drying. It is such a relaxing motion, the clothes gently catching the breeze. Relaxing work, like hanging clothes, gardening (growing my own vegetables saves me lots of money every summer) and home repairs, puts our priorities in order. You can see a tangible credit to the work, and in my case at least, it helps keep me grounded in my own past. My parents did their own work, and my sister and me were expected to carry our own load as a part of being in the family.

Maybe this recession will convince many more people to reassess their priorities, and discover what is really important in their lives. A pastor laid out relationship priorities very well for me: My time with God, Spouse (well, no spouse here), Children, Job, Family, Friends. We need a balance in our lives, and when that balance is 'out of whack' then we are going to suffer, either mentally, physically, or emotionally.

I hope you like the quilt, my friend Judy did, I took the picture several years ago and thought it would be a good addition to today's topic. Judy loves to quilt, and it is her way to relax and unwind from a hard day at work. We all have to have a relaxing outlet to our day.

Have a blessed day,

Phoebe