Hello…
This is a place to let down, put your feet up and catch your breath in the space of a quiet moment.
Welcome…come as you are…no expectations here.
I am a woman seeking the benefits of minimalism, but not in the usual sense of the word. It’s much deeper than that.
I want to:
clear the clutter, anxiety and stress
from my mind, heart, home and life
to open up space and opportunity
for what is meaningful;
stillness, simplicity and belonging.
How do I plan on doing that? One.Step.At.A.Time.
Why one step at a time? To be honest, when I encounter a challenge that requires some type of action, I tend to run ahead before I establish feasibility or know that I need to take action now or at all. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Most women I think, can relate, because, hey…we are hardwired that way. We jump to find solutions for our spouse or significant other, our kids, our friends and more times than we can count, ourselves.
This mindset has left me exhausted; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
My obsessions with wanting more stuff, acquiring debt, connection to technology (like an umbilical cord), listening to world and local news, scrolling on social media, texts and messenger, and my own unrealistic expectations for perfection, has left me…what’s the word…I think…“hollowed”. Yes, hollowed…out. Can you relate?
I don’t think I’m unique to this condition.
I’ve been on the fast track for quite some time; addicted to work, busyness; not to mention people pleasing, which ladies is a very dangerous combination!
As a result of this frenetic merry-go-round, a natural digression to experiencing more anxiety, panic attacks, aches and pains, loss of sleep and fatigue became my life.
An old perspective…
I’ve been striving for years to find truth, simplicity, belonging and falling short. Something was always missing.
I bought into the idea that if I accumulated more, was positive enough and worked hard…all that I dreamed would become a reality.
It didn’t.
New perspective…
2019 has been a year of transformation for me.
A stripping away of old beliefs and everything I thought I knew as truth, to be able to accept what I believe is TRUE today.
I needed to “Find my way back Home”; not to old beliefs and systems, but back to the heart of the One who created me.
I began reading the Bible all the way through; something I had never done before.
Matthew 11:28 said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” That’s all I needed to hear!
As I read, I asked for three things: 1) Show me who You are 2) Show me Your will for my life and 3) Lead me and guide me to Your truth.
Just like the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to the butterfly, I am being changed into a new life of FAITH, TRUST and DEPENDENCE in the Creator God of the Bible.
Now, He invites me to lay down what overwhelms me, what is hard and find peace and rest in Him; something that always eluded me in the past.
But that’s not the entire story
I had a plan…for a farm, but my plans were not God’s plans.
My plans were massive; requiring a lot of capital, dedication and manpower to bring it about.
But one day, I was on Youtube watching an interview of Chip and Joanna Gaines of the HGTV show Fixer Uppper.
While listening to their story, out of the blue and as clear as crystal I heard, “…the farm was never meant to be without Me.”
I stopped in my tracks and broke down in tears.
I knew then that my years of struggle was because the farm was all about me, my plans and my self interests; not His.
The verse in Jeremiah 29:11 says…”For I know the plans I have for you”, and that day, I turned the farm over to Him.
There is so much more I want to share about the farm…I hope you come along! You will find more stories in my blog (Click Here)!
My personal blog, My Simple Journey to the Farm, is my journal.
I am a journaling nerd, an inspirational writer, a lover of country living, red barns, animals, reading, home décor enthusiast; always looking for ways to create a nurturing home and ….uh…books! I love books!
Writing this personal blog requires a certain amount of transparency and dedication. It’s not easy.
It’s tough to take a complicated journey and pare it down to “simple segments of life”.
Sharing my personal thoughts and musings with others; ups, downs, successes and failures will all be a part of my story.
At times it may be challenging or heartbreaking.
At other times, there will be heart-warming nuggets of truth and freedom,
joyful laughter “’till you snort” moments and
also some time for “still waters of rest” for the weary souls out there.
I long for a quiet and gentle spirit, country living, red barns and furry friends!
My wish for you is to find inspiration, encouragement, laughter and joy in my story, as I ease into the freedom of simplicity in my new walk with God.
Maybe you will be inspired to do the same.
If you would like to walk this journey with me, I welcome your company (ClickHere).
Until next time…
Mindy
