By Lois Hewitt

Today is the day. A new start with new healthy habits.

I claim to be a minamalist but our 500 sq ft apartment overflowth. Already are four bags to donate and two bags of garbage.

And that’s only a corner of the first room. Lucky there are only three rooms.

We came to the mountains with only what fit in our car. We rent a lovely furnished apartment, so where did the stuff come from?

Oh I know….Amazon.

As I struggle to move and clean things in a small place I am amazed at how much of the stuff I thought I actually needed.

Things never taken from the box. A porch full of broken down delivery boxes. Messes everywhere.

One thing accumulates and then another and another. Next thing you know it’s so overwhelming that you cannot do anything. Well that’s how it is for me anyway.

I’m drowning in things again. Things I thought I had to have. Things meant to make life easier. Things that take my joy.

It’s so easy to fall into the thinking that the shiny things on Tik Tok are important.

I’m sad at myself for letting it get so bad again. Of course it’s not the scale of when we lived in a house. Luckily there is only so much we can do in this small space…but I over did it.

The things made my heart and soul heavy. I want light and airy not dark and cluttered.

First World problems you say? Yes without a doubt. I have too much. I can’t rationalize it away anymore.

I know God allows blessings but we are called to be good stewards. He owns all things and we just care of it. I feel that I fell short once again.

So today as I start yet another epic journey of self awareness. Step 1. Come to terms with stuff once and for all.

And stay ever vigilant against the forces that thrive on consumerism. I don’t say that owning things is necessarily bad but it is easy to overconsume.

Today I ask God for my daily bread. What I need for today. What will enrich my soul and bring me closer to Him.

I hate to admit my love for shiny things. I disappoint myself. But if they take away my peace and light, they have no place in my life.

I forgot that I learned the lesson of less already. I don’t honestly think I was ready to believe my own words about all the stuff. But I am now.

Peace means more to me than any shiny item. Space to breathe is paramount.

Let me try this again and lest not forget the beauty of less.

By Lois Hewitt

It’s time to take back peace.

Make a to do list of what makes you happy, you know the simple pleasures, and prioritize them.

Don’t listen to those who have no idea where you have been and what you’ve been through. Their opinion means nothing.

Accept that not everyone is going to like you.  Just means you are probably doing something right.

Quit listening to people with agendas telling you how to live.  You know how to live, it’s inside of you…listen to that.

Money is ok but it’s not more than that.  We need it to live but the pursuit of it, especially when others are used, is a hanoius behavior. Learn to respect money but not be seduced by it.

Don’t listen to the lies, they are based on hidden agendas. Remember the lies taste sweet and usually sound good.  But look underneath and find out the truth. Trust your gut!

Stop worshipping people.  They are just people. Maybe the make up hides the ugly, maybe the billowy words cover up the nasty. Beware when a celebrity/influencer gains too much power.

The whole idea is to take back your peace. To prepare a warrior spirit. To be the kind of person you always wanted to be.

If someone told you that you weren’t smart enough…they were wrong.

If someone told you that you weren’t pretty enough…they were wrong.

If someone said you were not talented enough…they were wrong.

Refuse to retell yourself those old incorrect stories. Those words that reverberate over and over in your head. Stop now.  Change the narrative.  Be a warrior.

I know you are tired. It’s been harder than you could have imagined. But the race isn’t over yet,  don’t give up.

Look around at the world today. The popular ideas are not working. At least not for everyone. Turn the tables and fight for your life.  It’s yours…own it!

My life has to change.  The way I’m going isn’t healthy. If you are in the same place, I beg of you to stop!  Stop listening to all the voices…stop reading comments…stop being influenced by random people.

Take care of yourself my friend. The likelihood of a knight in shiny armour coming is low, become your own knight. Save your sanity and save your peace. 

If this is too harsh, I honestly am very sorry. But many of us were raised to be nice. We learned that religion wanted us to be nice.  Don’t make waves.  Go with the crowd.

Well, the One I follow never once said to be nice. Be kind but that’s different. He said to be courageous and have a warrior spirit.  That doesn’t mean picking fights but standing up for yourself, your family, for those who can’t and your beliefs.

In fact, Jesus said His way was hard.  And He wasnt lying.  But living in His truth brings peace, regardless of circumstances.

I wrote something the other day (I’m sure someone else said it before me but I liked it).  We need to stop looking right or left and start looking up.

The revolution starts with you!

By Lois Hewitt

Do you ever just feel like there is something you have to say or do, but you are not exactly sure what it is?  The urge is so strong but there is no clear path to get it done.

Like a painter who just can’t get the image to look like they thought it would.  Or the author struggling to find the right words.  Or the dancer who can’t get the moves just right.

I feel so many things, always have.  So many, in fact, it has left me frozen in place for so long.

I live inside my head, probably a bit too much.  It’s funny inside there.  The sun could be blindingly bright in my head while a tornado passes through.

Inside my head is such extreme love coexisting with hatred.  Peace and joy are always fighting disappointment and anxiety for a seat at the table in there.

I laugh when I want to cry.  I’m strong when I’m scared to death.  And the reverse is always true too.

No matter how hard I try, I cannot regulate the chaos inside my head and heart. 

I want all things and I want nothing at all.  I feel magnificent and I feel sick at the same time.  I care too much and I care not at all.

The days lately have proven to be exhausting.  How can they be?  I don’t work like I used to.  I certainly don’t “play” like I used to.  My life is so much “less” (stress) and not in a bad way by any means. 

So what’s happening?  I prayed for healing.  I prayed to be better.  I prayed to change.  All I got was chaos.

Or so I thought.  It’s like going into the kitchen after Thanksgiving dinner.  Every pan and pot is dirty.  Dishes you didn’t even know you had are dirty.  There are mashed potatoes on the wall.  It’s a mess.

But you start at one end and just move your way to the other.  It may go quickly or it may take some real time.  But if you keep on task, it will eventually get clean again. 

Then the next meal needs prepared but, hopefully, the chaos is not as much.

I prayed to be better and I saw flaws I didn’t know I had.  I prayed for peace and opened my eyes to the “clutter”.  I struggled and may be have gotten worse but then I was clean and my vision clear…er.

That’s how God works. Not like an ATM dispensing requests. He is not a genie in a bottle or a magician with a magic wand.

God will always do His will. Even if His will is not quite what I was hoping for.  But the end result, His will, will be better than anticipated. You will have a deeper clarity. You will be changed.

It may hurt.  I’m in a hurtful stage right now but I do have more clarity.  I see more of my sinful nature.  I feel more.

I love comfort and I am learning that most of life is not learned in comfort, much to my dismay.  Life is learned in those times that don’t make sense. The times you can’t verbalize. The times that seem confused.

I love to watch the daffodils fight their way through the spring snowfall to be in the sun’s light.  The struggle must be exhausting. But once the warm sunny rays touch their leaves and petals, the struggle lessens and the rewards are clear.

So it is with life. Don’t be afraid to do the hard things. If it is truly God’s will, He will give you the strength needed. And He promised to never forsake you…in the good or in the bad.

We are all looking at an unsure future. It can be scary, but I’m learning to keep my eyes on God.  He is the only way to peace. He has this.  Cling to Him and He will calm the storm.  He always does.