Tuesday Book Blog: Simplify - A Guide to Caring for the Soul

Today's Tuesday Book Blog is a book called "Simplify" by Carolyn J. Rasmus.  It's a guide for caring for the soul.

We've all been there - too many pressures, too little time.  Life starts to feel out of control.  Learning to simplify our lives is much more than avoiding phone calls and trimming hectic schedules; more than cleaning closets or paring down possessions.  Based on the premise that the most destructive aspect of stress is what it does to us spiritually, the author explains eight principles - using each letter of the word SIMPLIFY - to keep us from becoming so distracted by trivial commitments that our spiritual and emotional view is dulled.  With these eight principles a guide, we can engage ourselves to choose proper priorities, remain calm amidst the daily chaos of life and focus on the things that really matter most.

The principles include:

S - Stillness
I - Integrity
M - Mercy
P - Prune
L - Let Go
I - Impossible
F - Fortify
Y - You

To simplify is about enhancing our ability to focus on the things that really matter, to deliberately choose our priorities, and to refuse to let unimportant things take over the things of real importance...To simplify requires that we look at things in a different way, with a larger, even eternal perspective.  To simplify our lives is a spiritual quest; it is to "care'..for the life of the soul". -- Carolyn Rasmus

I've read this book a few times and just re-read it again this week.  There are fabulous stories and quotes throughout the entire read to uplift and motivate you to live a simple life both inside and out; internally and externally in your life.  Simplify explains concepts on how to live a life that reflects your priorities.  I wanted to show more pages of the book, but mine is so marked up that you'd probably not be able to see anything.

The 166-page small-book Christian-based format isn't meant to be speed-read, but to be savored and enjoyed.  The idea of this book is to listen to the promptings we receive as we read it, make corrections in our life and help us slow down and enjoy the fullness life has to offer.

This book can be found at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Deseret Book, Good Reads, and Thrift Books and costs anywhere from $4 - $18 depending on where you find it and if it's new or used. 

Rating 5 star.