simplicity.

I just started the bible study "Becoming a Woman of Simplicity" by Cynthia Heald.

And I'm so excited.  I have absolutely loved it so far.  

There are just a few excerpts from Chapter One that I have to share with you.

"When we are inwardly simple - at rest, free, willing to trust - then we can step into a chaotic world and be at peace."

"Trusting and resting in God grants us inward simplicity that can then lead to an outward simplicity obtained by making wise choices in a complex world."

"There are so few empty pages in my engagement pad, or empty hours in the day or empty rooms in my life in which to stand alone and find myself.  Too many activities, and people, and things.  Too many worthy activities, valuable things, and interesting people.  For it is not merely the trivial which clutters our lives but the important as well."  And then, later, she goes on to talk about abiding in Christ.  She says, "Abiding is not an activity; it is a lifestyle.  It is reordering my whole perspective on life so that my sole purpose is to live simply and purely in devotion to the Lord...Abiding allows the Lord to bring interesting people, worthy activities, and valuable things into my life in the right way, at the right time, and for His purpose."

"We live in a world where doing, communicating, and possessing so rule our lives that we have allowed even good thins to overtake our time and distract form the best."

"Single-minded devotion to Christ is the fundamental principle of this study...The purpose is to encourage you to live life the way God has planned for you.  I think His way is one of inner peace and rest in the midst of a complex and busy world.  My definition of a woman of simplicity is one who lives a God-paced life.  She waits for God's leading, and she has time to be still and know her Lord...She is a woman of profound simplicity because she has only one focus:  being simply and purely devoted to Christ."

"Noise and words and frenzied, hectic schedules dull our senses, closing our ears to his still, small voice and making us numb to his touch."

This is so different from our normal.  Or at least so different from my normal.  So I have a long way to go - but God calls us to "be still" so I'm dragging you along in my pursuit of that :)

Do you have a hard time being still?  Would you say you live a simple life?

Any advice for a novice in the "simple life" arena?