(If you can’t see the video review, click over to the Marry Blogger to watch!)
Title:
Author:
Joshua Becker
The Big Picture:
Joshua Becker is the founder of Becoming Minimalist, I really enjoyed his first e-book Simplify and was honored to be part of a group of bloggers who received a pre-release of his latest work – Inside Out Simplicity.
While his first e-book dealt with outside stuff, and how to simplify it, this e-book is dedicated to getting our inner life simplified and heading in a better direction.
Do not be fooled. The better life is not being mass-produced in a factory… you won‘t find it on the shelves in a department store. It has never been found there. And never will be. – Joshua Becker
What is Great about Inside Out Simplicity:
I enjoyed Joshua’s book, and what I mentioned in the video is true – I want to go back and spend some time really thinking about the principles he emphasized.
The book is only a 109 pages, so it is a quick read, but thorough. The Principles presented are simple in form, but not easy to always achieve. In the very beginning of the book, Joshua makes it clear that he doesn’t have it all figured out, but as a fellow traveler in life, these are ideals that he is shooting for in his own life.
Stop comparing yourself to others. You were not born to live their life. There is no sense wasting yours being jealous of theirs. Instead, you were born to live your life – determine today to be good at it. – Joshua Becker
The sections on “Competing Less, Promoting More” and “Forgiveness” are worth the price of the book (in my mind). I find my competitive spirit can be difficult for me – assuming that I am always in competition with others, but encouraging others and promoting them in a way, Becker says, helps us become a part of their success as well.
Other related reads you might enjoy:
Simplify – Joshua Becker
Simple Marriage – Dr. Corey Allan
What can we apply to our marriages right away:
*Realize that Relationships are what is important in life – not stuff.
* Work on Your Finances together. Becker says it well: Dream bigger dreams for your money. Your income can be used to improve the quality of life for others. It can be used to make your community a better place to live. It can be used to deliver clean water and fresh food to a young child. Or you can use it to buy a newer car, a bigger television, or a trendier coat. Dream bigger dreams for your money than the sale rack in the department store. Find a cause that you believe in and use your finances to make a real difference in our world. – Joshua Becker
*Realize your Words Matter, and they carry significant weight in your relationships with your spouse and others.
The Big Wrap up:
Inside out Simplicity was a great read for me. Its easy to clean out closets and get rid of junk. But what happens on the inside if you have garbage and unessential stuff there keeping you from being peaceful? Joshua does a great service with this book in helping the reader begin to dump some of the unhealthy things that keep us from having an ‘inner’ simplicity. That inner simplicity can then flourish into outward choices that reflect your inward decisions.
Stu & Lisa have been married 8 years (together 11) and have a heart to encourage couples in their marriages. They live in Middle Tennessee, have an awesome 6 year old, and a mutt named 'Boo'.
{ 2 trackbacks }