The Songhai people have a proverb that says, "One foot can't follow two paths". This is the theme in Jan Johnson's book, Abundant Simplicity. She encourages us as believers to have a "single eye". What is my focus in life, my goal, my aim? If that aim is to live a life that is glorifying to God and treasuring a relationship with Him, then we need to live simply so we don't focus on all the stuff we have, on all the junk we need to take care of, on all the ways we are trying to impress or to please others. Though Mrs. Johnson gives suggestions of ways to live simply at the end of each chapter, she also says that how you choose to live simply will differ from how others live simply and will differ at different times of your life. For example, simplicity may involve having only one car. But if only one car means hours of inconvenience for somebody in your family, then maybe having two cars will actually contribute to simplicity. Mrs. Johnson gives a lot to think about and my big take-away from the book was learning to ask myself three questions: What do I want? What do I REALLY want? What am I longing for? So, let's say I want to buy a new pair of jeans. What do I want? A new pair of jeans. What do I REALLY want? To look nice, to be noticed. What am I longing for? For people to appreciate me and to think I look great. or, What do I want? A new pair of jeans. What do I REALLY want? Jeans that fit and that aren't falling apart; to replace the ones that I can no longer wear. What am I longing for? To look neat and tidy and to not draw attention to myself. In other words, we need to learn to examine our motives. I highly recommend this book, but I'll be the first to say that you need to already be at a certain point emotionally where you are ready to give up clutter, confusion, and chaos. If you thrive on those things, maybe this book isn't for you.