AND THE WINNER IS...

MUSINGEGRET!!! Congratulations! Now if you would just send your mailing address to me at becky.lane(at)vownet(dot)net, I will pop your prize in the mail.

And what is her prize? The lovely book Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter, by Elaine St. James. This little tome was published in 1994, right at a time when many of us were beginning to realize that all of these modern conveniences, super gizmos, supposedly shorter work weeks, and round the clock shopping had not really delivered on the luxurious life of ease, and smiling, happy families, that the ads had promised us. If anything, we were more frazzled, and had less time for those we loved, than ever before.

As I mentioned earlier, before one can continue on this path towards good living, it is sometimes necessary to clear the path of weeds and debris, so that you can really see where you are going. I think this is just the book to help you do that. St. James believed that the more complex life becomes, the more people crave simplicity. As she and her husband worked to alter their life's path, she took note of all that they learned, and put it here in this book. Not every suggestion will work for every family, but you are bound to find many that will, such as reducing the clutter in your life, leaving your shoes at the front door, getting rid of your lawn, building a simple wardrobe, not answering the phone just because it's ringing, getting out of debt, reducing your need for goods and services, working where you live and living where you work, getting rid of the exercise equipment and taking a walk instead, giving up on trying to change people, keeping a journal and doing one thing at a time.

As I glanced back through these chapters, I was quite startled at how very many of these suggestions - ideas that seemed so startling and contrary to what was the norm back then - have now been absorbed and incorporated into my everyday life. Pick up this book, and read your way to a simpler, more satisfying life.

P.S. Many thanks to blog.onourwayonline.com for the above image.