Samara’s Reviews > The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World > Status Update

We all live with unfulfilled desires. In this life, all our symphonies remain unfinished. But this doesn't mean we can't live happy. The truth is you can live happy right here, right now "through Christ who strengthens me." Meaning through investing your resources in ongoing relational connection to Jesus.

11. Recognize advertisement for what it is: propaganda. "Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry." Make a game of calling out the lie behind what's being advertised.

12. Lead a "cheerful, happy revolt against the spirit of materialism" (said of Saint Francis and his band of followers). See Jesus' message of simplicity as the same as His message of joy.

8. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.

9. Cultivate a deep appreciation for creation. If materialism despiritualizes us, the material world itself respiritualizes our souls.

10. Cultivate a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures. What kind of attention do you give to God and the goodness of His world?

7. Live by a budget. A budget is to your money what a schedule is to your time, a way of making sure you know your treasure is going to the right place and not getting squandered.

Share your budget with a close friend. Get together each year, speak into spending habits, get approval for any purchase over $1,000.

5. When you can, share. As one early church father said, "we hold everything in common except our wives."

6. Get in the habit of giving things away. Give away things you don't need to people who can actually use them. Have a blessing fund in your budget ready to give when needs arise.

The apprentice of Jesus regular asks not " how can I get more?" but "how can I live with less?"

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

1 in 6 people in the world work in the clothing industry. Only 2% make a minimum wage.

3. Never impulse buy. The longer the item, the longer you should sit on it.

4. When you do buy, opt for fewer better things.

1. Before you buy something, think of the overall life cost of the item, especially regarding your pace of life.

2. By buying this, am I oppressing a person or harming the earth?

To follow Jesus is to live in the tension of grateful happy enjoyment of nice beautiful things and simplicity. And when in doubt to err on the side of generous, simple living.