I always hear about life changing books and maybe I’m just a skeptic but while I find many of these “life changing books” to be thought provoking and inspiring I very rarely find it to be life changing. But now I believe I have found a serious contender as far as life changing books go.
I came across the book Rest: why you get more done when you work less, and my interest was quickly piqued by the title, and man am I glad that I did. The book starts by discussing the great thinkers and change makers from the late 19th century and early 20th century and their work habits. The author discusses how many of these people approached work, the lines that they drew between work and their personal life. The author challenges that rather than working all the time in order to win a badge of honor as it were, these people separated work and their personal life in order that they feel truly rested when they returned to work, thereby increasing their longevity in their field.
The chapter I found most interesting was that many people who were most prolific and well-known in their respective fields. People like Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens were not people who worked 60-80 hours a week, but rather ones who focused on dedicated work for 20-30 hours a week. The most influential people of the 20th century rarely broke a 40 hour work week. They didn’t work long, but they did work hard. The author stresses the importance of habit on work productivity and truly focused work. Truly focused work can be draining, and therefore a lot of these people worked in 90 minute bursts with a short break in between, followed by another 90 minute session, then there was usually a large break in the day sometimes followed up with in the afternoon with one last work session. This to me was very helpful! Think about all the side hustles out there today. There is no limit to what one can do in this day and age. But when to do it? If the greatest minds of the last century, (and the author did give examples of non genius people who followed this work model), could do all that, what could we do with a small amount of truly focused work each day, day after day?
The other chapter that really stood out to me was about “deep play”. Deep play is something you do that you enjoy and that you lose yourself so entirely that you lose track of time. The benefit of deep play is that it gives your mind a chance to rest, to wander a bit as you tinker, and perhaps will help you solve a problem that you were previously stuck on.
Other chapters in the book dwelled on the importance of sleep, what walking can do for our creative problem solving skills, and how exercise can help improve longevity in careers. While none of these topics are new, I did appreciate the nuanced approach offered in the book and found it to be very thought provoking.
While some of the advice and models set forth in the book will not work for everyone- hourly workers do not have the luxury of working a 30 hour week- there are nonetheless, little nuggets to be gleaned from this book that I think just about all of us could benefit from. If you are struggling to start a side hustle, know that you don’t have to pour endless hours into it in order to make it successful. You can effect a big difference by truly dedicating a few intense hours to it each day. If you know you need to exercise but are afraid of the time it will take away from your job- read this book and see the evidence of how it could help improve your performance and expand your career life. Lastly, if you are needing permission or a gentle nudge to pick up that hobby, go for it- there will be more benefits from it than you realize.
I’m sure there are people who will not be impressed with this book; but if you are one of the many people who like it, I myself being one too, who feel the constant need and pressure to operate at full capacity and never take time for the things that matter to you, I urge you to give this book a go, and see what you think!
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“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, ”you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
Martha. I can’t help but feel bad for her. If you don’t know the story—Jesus had gone with His disciples to His friends Mary and Martha’s house who were also the sisters of Lazarus. While there, Martha was busy trying to make sure everything was ready for her guests: preparing a large meal for 13 men (not an easy feat in any day let alone in Bible times!) and generally running around keeping the house tidy and welcoming so that her guests would feel comfortable.
Mary, on the other hand, had plunked herself down right at the feet of Jesus and was hanging on His every word and not doing a thing to help Martha in the kitchen. If Martha was anything like me, I imagine her casting side long glances at Mary and grumbling to the servants saying, “We talked about this . . . Mary said she was going to be better at helping this time.” And then Mary wasn’t and Martha had had enough.
When there’s a break in the action, Martha goes to Jesus—she figures He would be sympathetic; Jesus has always been just and seems to favor the underdog. I can just imagine Martha saying, “Jesus, will you please ask Mary to help me? I have been so busy preparing a nice dinner for you, and Mary said she would help, but she hasn’t. She’ll listen to you if you tell her to help me. Please tell her!” But, much to Martha’s dismay, Jesus defends Mary! Oh the injustice of it! He does have a point though—the work will always be there. He would only be with them for a little bit. I imagine Martha sighing, putting the last few touches on the meal, and then coming to sit by Mary and having one of those visits where you totally relax and lose track of time, enjoying the company of friends and family.
I wonder how glad Martha was a few years later that she did that—when Jesus had been crucified and she knew their days of long chats were gone for good. She probably never obsessed over all the details when she had company over again, learning that time spent with company was what was important.
This story reminds me of an event in my life several years ago. It had been a crazy, busy season: work was crazy, there were extra events eating up my weekends, and I was frantically getting ready to leave on a mission trip in less than 2 weeks! It was Father’s Day weekend. I was so overwhelmed. I remember discussing with my parents the possibility of moving our Father’s Day get-together with them and my grandparents so that I could check a few more things off my to-do list. Ultimately I relaxed a little bit and we proceeded with our plans for the day. I spent several wonderful hours really relaxing with my parents and grandparents and we had a great visit. Then, less than 2 days later, my grandfather died. I was so grateful I had one last really good visit.
We never know when the last visit will be. We aren’t privy to how much time anyone gets on this earth. We look back and wonder how Martha could have ever chosen housework over sitting at the feet of Jesus, but Martha didn’t know the end of the story like we do. We can’t live our lives expecting the worst and in scarcity, grabbing at any opportunity to see loved ones out of fear that we may never see them again; but, we can live with eternity in mind—filtering our decisions for today through the lens of what will matter in eternity.
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I am always on the hunt for good historical fiction since that is my favorite genre, and though I know there is already more historical fiction written than I could ever read in a lifetime, I still always feel like there can never be enough! The new year has me reviewing my 2020 reading and thinking about what I would like to read more of this year—historical fiction has made the cut again! I made the conscious effort to branch out and be more intentional in my reading in 2020. I picked up several genres that I hadn’t touched in years, and while I enjoyed them, I still want my reading life to be filled with an abundance of historical fiction, not just any historical fiction, but page turning, captivating, historical fiction!
I love looking back over the titles I’ve read in the past year and there are always a few titles that jump out at me more than others. You know the ones—they are the books that pull you in so much that you find yourself thinking of the characters more as friends than just characters in a book. Or you’ll find yourself thinking of a scene like you would a t.v. scene and realize it was from a passage in a book, painted so realistically that you got sucked into it!
Below is a list of books that I read in 2020 that sucked me right in, some of them I have talked about before, and others I haven’t mentioned. Regardless, they are all ones that pulled me in, held my interest, and painted a vibrant world that I find my thoughts still drifting back to.
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff I listened to this as an audiobook and I couldn’t stop!! It is told from the rotating perspective of three women, the author, Pam Jenoff, does a great job of keeping you enthralled through the entire tale. This is a story about the women spies, stationed in France, who worked for the British intelligence during World War II. One wrong move could mean death, not just for one of the spies, but for all in their network. The women are working diligently and making progress when a few odd things start to occur and it seems they may also have a spy among them…
A decade later, young Grace Heasley discovers an unattended valise tucked under a Grand Central Station bench. Opening it, she finds 12 photographs of young women, around her own age. Grace impulsively tucks the photos into her purse and leaves. Overcome with guilt for stealing the photos Grace returns later that day hoping to replace the photos—but the valise is gone!
Grace now begins to feel a responsibility to the girls in the photos and pressure to seek the owner of the valise, a task that proves near impossible. Why were their pictures being carried about in a suitcase? Grace can’t stop her inquisitive nature and so begins her journey to get to the bottom of this mystery, a journey that ends up being much more much than Grace bargained for.
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton I did not know much about life in Cuba, either before Castro took over, while he was in power, or what life is starting to look like after his death. If you want a real life depiction of what totalitarian control looks like, this book will give it to you.
Not that this book is all doom and gloom—far from it! Marisol has lived her whole life in Florida, the granddaughter of a Cuban refugee who fled to America when Fidel took over. Now that both Fidel and her grandmother have passed on, Marisol is tasked with traveling back to Cuba to spread her grandmother’s ashes, per her grandmother’s last wishes. She travels to Cuba and stays with her grandmother’s dear friend and childhood neighbor, and her handsome grandson. Escorted about Cuba by the handsome grandson, Marisol slowly uncovers family secrets she never could have imagined she’d find.
Lovely War by Julie Berry This book takes place during WW I and is narrated by the Greek Gods, which I thought was really fun! Aries tells the war scenes, Aphrodite tells the love story, and Hades tells the parts when someone dies. The story is about 4 young people who all find themselves on the war front in WW I. You will follow each one of these young people as their lives crisscross and intersect, and you will see how war will take its toll on each one of them. War takes a toll on everyone. (See my other post where I mention Lovely War Here) {5 books}
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner This book takes place right after WWII in a small village in England that has the fortune to have the home that was Jane Austen’s in the later part of her life. Throughout this book a group of people who, for their own reasons, have taken solace in Austen’s work, band together to try and save Austen’s house and her legacy.
The story was good, based on real events, the people are fictional although there were real people in the village who did what the characters in the book do, but what really pulled me into this book was the believability of the characters and the descriptions of the English village. This is one of those books that my mind wanders back to the characters, more so than to the story. Not to say that the story wasn’t compelling—it was! But if you enjoy really getting to know the characters of a book then you will be enthralled with this one.
As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner I bought this one for my mom and my aunt for Christmas after reading it! I talked about it at length in my post, As Bright as Heaven, but let me just say again this is one of those books that will pull you in and keep you turning pages. This book kept my interest as the story is told from the alternating points of view of the main characters, and thus always has you on the edge of your seat eager to hear from all of the characters. You will discover what life was like from the point of view of an undertaker’s family during the Spanish flu pandemic in the early 1900s.
I hope this helps give you a few more titles to check out for your future reading. Don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram and tell me about the books you have been enjoying lately!
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Well it is winter. Still. And here in Pennsylvania it will continue to be for a while, but we are finally at the point where the end of winter is just about in sight- we hope!! However, while I am still trying not to succumb to total spring fever just yet, I am cleansing my home of any remaining winter items, and refreshing my home for spring. I will not be pulling out anything overtly springy yet, but the stage will be set to add touches of spring when the weather breaks and I feel that I can safely do so without fear of the winter weather coming crashing back in and destroying hopes and dreams of winter’s end.
In my post, How to Decorate for Winter, I said that I do not take down all of my wintery things in January- it’s just too depressing! So now is when I do a clean sweep, and when my house will be a little more bare than it has been since fall! I try to look at it through new eyes. Is there a way I keep arranging things that I don’t love but have just gotten used to? Would I like to swap rooms with some of my pictures? Is there something that has seen better days and I finally need to let go of it?
In all honesty, I find this season the most difficult to decorate because while it totally makes sense to take all things seasonal down and give my home a season of rest, I struggle to do this since I feel like it’s already so bare boring everywhere I look. Outside is gray, and while I love the four seasons we experience here in PA, I have to say this is probably my least favorite season- a season of waiting for winter to end and spring to fully begin. In addition since I am not decorating for a season, this is when I rely on the core of my decor more than any other time of year. If you haven’t built a decor capsule yet check out my post here on How to Build Capsule Decor.
Now, when I am doing my spring refresh is when I always find a few “holes” in my decorating. Seasonal items that have filled out a space quite nicely are gone and I am left scraping for something not-to-seasonal to replace what I just took down. But, you know what? It’s ok! It’s ok to look around your house at least once a year (maybe even more!) and assess the bulk of your decor and decide if you are happy with it. Has your style changed slightly? Is there something you’ve been meaning to buy for a while and just haven’t made time to do it? Now is the time! If you are on a tight budget and really don’t have extra money to spend right now don’t let that stop you from playing with your decor! Sometimes we need to buy something, but we can often fill or fix, even for just a little while), a decor glitch with something we already own. Look through your dishes in your cabinet, take a peak in your craft supplies, see what you come up with and if you are still stumped, try googling or looking on Pinterest for creative ways to use the items that you found! Have fun with it, and I know this is annoying advice but try to approach it from a fun creative point of view, rather than one in which you are upset because you can’t buy or find something new at the moment. I have never had a great idea while throwing myself a pity party, but some of my favorite decorating ideas have come when I have challenged myself to use what I have and try to come up with something fabulous just using those items.
Keep Some Cozy
This time of year I really like to focus on candles and blankets to warm up my home and keep it from feeling too sterile! I still love a chunky knit blanket at this time of year, and while it may be about time to pack up the fur pillows and throws, make sure to still leave enough around to snuggle up with on the cold days that are still to come!
Is Your Home Friendly?
Did you switch things up over the holidays and never return? Did you make your home slightly less livable in the name of beauty? It’s ok for your home to look like people live there- at least to some extent! Find a box for your tv remotes to live in on the coffee table, have a mat by the door for shoes, style a few cups near your coffee or tea station for a quicker grab in the morning! Make it easy to live in- it can still be beautiful!
Re Introduce Greenery
Plants are definitely welcome all year but when is more appropriate than in the spring? I know for me I moved a few plants around because of my Christmas decor and now I really like where they are living and I just may need to pick up another new plant or two!
Add Pictures
I have a few pictures in prominent places like my piano and mantle but I looked around and realized that there were startling few personal touches around my house. I have a bunch of pictures- time to pull them out! A picture is a great way to fill out a vignette! See my post on Vignettes: Tell Me A Story, and add a personal touch to your home!
Color Check
No matter what colors you have chosen for your home’s color pallet, see How to Create a Cohesive Color Pallet, there will be a color or 2 that is more suited to spring than the rest. If you are looking at getting a few new throw pillows lean hard into these colors!
Collections
If you are someone who likes to collect and has a collection now is the time to show it off! Generally with a collection you want to rotate through how much of it you show off at a time, (unless you have a huge collection and a great place to show it off where it can really be a wow factor!), however now, when your house is a little more bare is a great time to display more of your collection than you normally would!
Need a little Inspiration?
Ok so you have all your winter decor down but you also have cabin fever and you don’t want it to just be plain?? What else can you do to refresh your home for spring and add some transitional coziness to your space?
Here are a few ideas: Plants Lanterns Candles Deer antlers Flowers- fresh, faux or dried! Handmade pottery Vintage glass bottles Unique or vintage figurines- try crowning a stack of books with these! Geometric spheres Adding a touch of rustic Vintage busts or small animal figurines.
As always happy decorating- enjoy!
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“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,”
1Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Ambitions. We are all about them in our current society. Everywhere I turn I see advertisements about chasing your dreams, building that big 7- figure business, to be a face everybody recognizes, and to go, go go. That has never sat right with me, I have never aspired to fame. What about you? What if that fancy life never felt right to you either? I’m tired of the message that if we aren’t doing everything we can to build the biggest business we can, that if we aren’t leading massive non profits, then we are then wasting our potential. I am tired of it even as I partially agree with it.
I agree that God has packed so much potential into each one of us that we will never reach the end of it in our lifetime. I believe that subtle restlessness so many people feel and ignore is not a sign of being discontented,(though of course it can be!), but rather a sign that there is something, even a subtle change that could be made in one’s life.
But. I also believe that not all of us were designed to build huge businesses, travel all over the world, and be gone from home more often than we are home. Maybe that is your calling, but it isn’t mine. I heard the verse from 1 Thessalonians 4:11 when I was probably around 12 and it struck a chord within me. It is my ambition to lead a quiet life.
Ambitions are great, we need people who aspire to build big businesses, we need the people who talk to large audiences and inspire thousands, and we need the people who only ever aspire to impact life in their community.
You see a quiet life is nothing to be ashamed of, and a quiet life does not mean that we are not working with everything we have to further God’s kingdom. Instead I believe it means participating in a small group, opening your home to others, going out of your way to be a support for someone who has no one else to support them. It means helping out with the youth group, making meals for the family that just had a baby, visiting the elderly, and helping out the homeless in your city.
You see if we all were called to the big things in life there would be no one left to do the little things. My ambition has been to lead a quiet life, what about you? Are you restless? What is the source? Might you need to lean in a little closer to home and start serving your own community in seemingly insignificant ways?
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