I don’t clean for a living, but it’s probably the one statement I’ll be remembered for when I leave my job.
“Clean your cache.”
I’ve repeated it over and over in my line of work to students, to colleagues and even to myself. Cleaning the cache is like giving your computer a clean slate to think and process.
Cleaning out all the browser traffic is a regular maintenance procedure I swear by when it comes to keeping computers running smoothly and efficiently. Yet, more times than not, when the simple fix is given, I receive an expression of disbelief and confusion. And I know the statements that will follow.
Surely it can’t be that easy.
Surely that’s not the issue.
Surely it’s more complicated than that.
But after taking them through the process, without fail, most eventually realize that the issue wasn’t really the issue.
Honestly, in my efforts to live a simpler life, I’ve experienced this same truth.
The issue isn’t really the issue.
We know from experience; it’s not enough to simplify our life by decluttering our credit cards, our technology, our schedules, our spaces, our wardrobe or our belongings. If the issue were really the issue, we wouldn’t find ourselves repeating the same poor habits of collecting more, indulging in more and obligating ourselves to more than we can possibly manage in one lifetime.
But, when we realize this, then we can embrace the truth that the ‘how’ of a simple life is found first in clearing out our cache; all the history and traffic our brain has collected through the years which stops us from functioning freely and effectively through the process.
The insecurity…the fear…the anxiety… the imbalance of a life consumed by misplaced cravings, ambitions, and approvals.
Last week we talked about the ‘why’ and hopefully, we were able to dig a little deeper to identify the patterns and reasons behind those areas in our life which are cluttered and cumbersome and also where we find ourselves living with anxiety and fear. We’ve considered why our misplaced need for security, status, and significance have enabled us to develop negative patterns.
The issue involves connecting with ‘how.’
So, this week, let’s spend some time in the ‘how.’
A good way to connect with the challenge of how and press into a simple life is to take a few minutes to clear our cache and start with a clean slate of thinking. Thinking that’s now free to focus on the truth…
How we are already significant so we don’t need the approval of others.
How we already have worth so we don’t need to find it in things.
How we’re already accepted so we don’t need to impress others
How all we have is a gift so we can be grateful.
How we can trust God to meet our needs so we don’t need to be anxious.
How we can choose to spend our time free of guilt and obligation.
How we can entrust God with all we have so we don’t need to hoard.
How we have all we need so we can be content.
How we can live with no fear of the future so we are free to share what we have with others.
A clean slate sets us up for success. It empowers us to let go. It propels us forward in freedom. Share on XWe can make smarter choices of how we want to spend our time, our money and our resources. Our choices are made out of freedom and with a spirit of trust, contentment and joy. When we start with a clean slate, we actually have the space to evaluate what we want, what’s important to us and how we are going to get there.
We don’t have to settle for anything less…
because we’re living for MORE.
In the spirit of clearing out our cache, let’s start with the small stuff… our technology.
“I'm loving THE SIMPLE LIFE SERIES - 6 Weeks to MORE Freedom, Joy, and Balance. A clean slate and a fresh look at simple and intentional living! Share on X”
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