What Do You Want?
By
Jamie Ridler is doing the Joy Diet by Martha Beck as a book club and I am joining in the reading. I really enjoyed reading about other’s experience with the book. I’ve been continuing with my nothing from between 5 and 20 minutes and asking myself about the truth.
The chapter on desire was an important one for me. I always say that you need to know what you want in order to simplify your life. Otherwise you are getting rid of things and activities that you truly like and adding more time for things you don’t really want.
I thought I had pretty much what I wanted. We have the house, the simpler life, I work from home with work I love, spend time with family. But, lately I’ve been thinking – o.k. what’s next. I have two high schoolers – one who is a senior and I think the next part of my life is peeking out at me.
So this week I have been asking myself every day, "What do I want most right now?" So far I have not gotten any huge revelations – one new client, time in a good book relaxing, to live a life I enjoy. I also have a volunteer prospect to mull over.
But, I think continuing to ask this question will bring me closer and closer to a life I enjoy and that is fulfilling. It takes time to cultivate a life you love especially when your wants change throughout the years.
I know asking that question can be difficult, especially for those of us in the church. We are taught to only want what God wants, thinking He doesn’t care what we want. But, I think He does – otherwise why create beauty, community and love? I think He loves the times we are happy just as much as the times we are learning and growing. And I think often the desires of our heart are desires He put there.
Martha Beck also warns against false desires – you know the ego ones that feel anxious, grasping and withholding wanting to impress or control. True desires are freeing and joyful and generous.
Along with asking what I want, I am redoing my goals list. I looked at it and it felt draining, full of shoulds.I am now creating a list that energizes me and brings joy to me and others.
What do you want most right now?
You can find similar articles below
I like the idea of writing a goal list. As I started reading everyones posts on desire today, I realized there were more desires to add to my list. Writing them down is a very powerful thing.
Simplifying and wanting at the same time. It can seem to be push/pull can’t it? And yet, what we “want” needn’t be “things”, they can be more intrinsic too can’t they? I love that you are asking yourself the question every day and listening to hear what you have to say to yourself.
I love this statement it is so true. “Otherwise you are getting rid of things and activities that you truly like and adding more time for things you don’t really want.”
Thanks.
You’ve reminded me of the day to day journey of noticing and honoring our desire… even moment to moment. Thank you for that. Beautiful post!
Beautiful post. Thanks.
Thank you for this post. You have also reminded me how important it is to live in the moment.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on DESIRE. “And then what”, indeed?
Thanks for sharing your journey with desire this week.
I really like the goal list concept – it has definitely worked well for me in recent years