I was making myself some lunch today, and I thought about what I would do if I were to cut out everything extra to live simply. What would I eat? What would I have? What would I wear? What would I do?
Of course, I started with what I was doing in the moment: What would I eat? The thought came on suddenly that I would stock up on jasmine (or basmati) rice, quinoa, frozen peas, canned tuna or chicken, butter, soy sauce, ground coriander, ground yellow mustard, pink salt, and black (or white) pepper. I can eat some version of rice every day. Honestly, every day. I would have coffee with creamer (or milk whether whole, 2%, or evaporated) and sugar (or Splenda). I could probably go without coffee if I really had to, and I could drink water. But I really like coffee, and it isn’t a breaker of the bank. My kitchen area would only need a small pot (to make rice), a small skillet (to make fried rice sometimes), a pasta bowl (to put my food in), a spoon (to cook and eat with), a coffee cup, a can opener, a hot plate (to cook the items on), a mini fridge, and a small cabinet to store items in when not in use. Of course, I would also need a small trash can.
Moving on to what else I would have, I would have a medium sized, rectangular table and a chair to utilize as my desk. On my desk, I would have a lamp, my laptop with charging cord, a charger for my iPhone/Apple Watch/ air pods, writing utensils (including pens, pencils, and highlighters) stored in a small cup, Post-it notes, and a notebook. Next to this table, I would need a medium sized bookshelf to hold some books that are important to me, especially my Bibles. On top of the book shelf, I would have some pictures of family and friends. On the bottom shelf, I would have my printer, printer paper, and printer ink. I would place these items in front of a window. Natural light is important to me.
Hygiene is important, which is why I would want a bathroom that has a shower, a flushable toilet, and a medium sink that only I could access. I would have toilet paper, bar soap (Dial), shampoo and conditioner bars, lotion, contacts, glasses, tooth brushing powder, toothbrushes, a first aid kit with Band-Aids, Clorox clean-up, peroxide, two or three towels, 10-15 wash rags, a broom with a dust pan, plunger, toilet wand, and a medicine cabinet with mirror over the sink.
As far as bedding is concerned, I am happy with a roll up mat on the floor, a comfortable blanket, and a small pillow. I would roll up the bedding and store it on a shelf in a closet where I keep a small amount of clothing, which brings me to what I would wear. My clothing would be plain and comfortable. Depending on the season, I could wear loose fitting pants with a pocket on each hip and a loose, modest shirt. If it is cold outside, I could pull on a sweater over the shirt. I would wear ankle high socks and slip on shoes. My entire outfit could be monochromatic. I don’t need specific colors or designers. Plain is my kind of design.
The last point to tie up everything in the simplistic life I would choose for myself would be what I would do. If I could, I would write daily on this blog and teach the Bible studies that I lead weekly. I would develop a routine that would revolve around my relationship with God which would lead me to sharing about God to others. And by eliminating a lot of things that just upkeep of stuff, I could develop richer relationships with others. Each day would be filled with prayer, reading, writing, and conversing about God.
I could be in a studio apartment or a one room cabin somewhere. I would just need some sort of transportation to and from a store sometimes, and I would need internet access and cellular service. This very simplistic life is just a trail of thoughts that I pondered on today. However, real life involves responsibilities of husband, children, cancer, medicines, and a whole lot more. It is nice to think about the things that I have that I don’t need though. It allows me to be grateful for what I have and what I don’t have. This exercise allows me to see where in my life I am spending extra time, energy, and resources where I don’t necessarily need to be. And it allows me to think about redirecting my time, energy, and resources toward things that I do need to focus them on. God is so good.
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 