SIMPLE40 - Day 5 - The Monday Rule
- Katie Donahue
- Feb 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Last week, we learned about the many ways simplicity is defined. Ultimately, to grow in holiness and the virtue of simplicity, we must be honest with where we are at in life, honest with others, and most importantly, honest with God. To acquire this simplicity, the center of our lives must be Christ. We must also understand that simplicity does not happen overnight. It is a progressive growth in our relationship with God, combining both interior and exterior formation. This week we are going to focus on obedience, prayer and discipline as they relate to understanding and growing in simplicity.
spiritual Does the word obedience immediately put you off a bit? It is not surprising if it does. We can trace human nature's distaste for obedience all the way back to Adam and Eve in the garden. Obedience can sometimes make us feel like our freedom is being taken away, leaving us stuck and powerless. This couldn't be further from the truth of what obedience is and what it calls us to. Obedience is a virtue that involves our free will; the free choice we make to willingly lay down our own will to follow the will of another. In doing this freely, we are exercising self-control and love.So, how does obedience relate to simplicity? By being obedient and fulfilling our daily duties to those God has put in our lives, we are doing His will. We have certain circumstances, situations and seasons of life for very good reasons that we may not yet understand. Being obedient to our current season in life actually helps us to simplify by,
1) ridding our minds of thoughts of where we wish we were in life, and
2) focusing on the present moment.
This allows the grace of God to strengthen us to do His will. It does not have to be complicated at all. Simply do the things in front of you that need to be done with an open heart and mind, and keep moving forward.Did you know that obedience is also the shortest path to union with God? St. Teresa of Avila tells us that there is "no path which leads more quickly to the highest perfection than that of obedience. Obedience brings us sooner to that happy state of union with God." This obedience must not be forced, but freely chosen and embraced.As we continue on our Lenten journey today, take a look at your current season in life and recognize who you must be obedient to, and who is obedient to you. Do you have any negative thoughts or feelings about being obedient? Do you see God and His authority in your superiors? Do you have anyone that must be obedient to you? How do you treat them? As we continue on our Lenten journey today, take a look at your current season in life and recognize who you must be obedient to, and who is obedient to you. Do you have any negative thoughts or feelings about being obedient? Do you see God and His authority in your superiors? Do you have anyone that must be obedient to you? How do you treat them?
Oh, the power of obedience!
The Lake of Genesareth had denied
it's fishes to Peter's nets.
A whole night in vain.
Then, obedient, he lowered his net again
into the water and they caught 'a great number of fishes.'
Believe me, the miracle is repeated every day. ~St. Josemaria Escriva
self
Make 40 minutes of intentional movement a priority today! Remember, your body was made for movement, which helps you to thrive. Rewrite any negative scripts you have in your mind about exercise. Instead of thinking that you "need to workout", tell yourself you are worthy of good, intentional movement. Having a positive mindset about exercise, and then actually getting movement in, will positively impact your brain health, your physical health, your emotions, and your hormones.
I am always so amazed and intrigued by how our brain works and this article is a quick easy read, with a video, explaining how exercise impacts our brain for the better...
service
Monday, Monday...Have you heard of the Monday Rule? Simply put, at the start of the day, you choose one pressing household issue that you are going to work on. It doesn't matter what it is, it just matters that it is ONE single thing. It could be meal planning for the week (or even just the day), laundry, cleaning out the freezer, organizing a closet, working on taxes, answering emails, etc. Maybe you are choosing one thing from the list of 100 ways to serve? (click below to download and print)
This is your starting point for the day.
It is easy to get distracted by all the things that need to get done, especially if you have little ones to tend to. Sometimes there are so many tasks to complete that you do a little bit of each of them and nothing gets completed. I'm speaking from experience here! This Monday Rule was born from necessity. The point is to commit and be obedient to one task. This frees up your brain to focus on the ONE thing, rather than be divided amongst many things. Try it and see what you can accomplish. Even if it is "just one small thing", it gives you a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day.
True love of God and neighbor entails complete obedience to the law of the Lord, and the daily disposition to serve Christ in all we do.
~Magnificat, Feb. 2024 (pg. 297)
As you may have figured out by now, I love to serve my family through good, healthy food. Today's recipe has not been made in a while, so I am excited to make these and have them handy for breakfast (or snack if it wasn't Lent)! Macadamia Breakfast Bars
2 cups roasted macadamia nuts
½ cup flaxseed
2 tablespoons chia seeds
½ cup almond butter
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup coconut oil, melted
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons good vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (optional)
1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
Instructions: -Place macadamia nuts, flax, almond butter, coconut, and salt in a food processor and pulse for about 15 seconds. -Add coconut oil, honey, and vanilla and pulse until it comes together. -Press mixture into an 8 x 8 baking dish and place in the fridge until firm. -If desired, melt the chocolate chips and spread over the chilled bars. Press pumpkin and hemp seeds into the chocolate. Refrigerate again until the chocolate solidifies. Keep an eye out on Instagram as I will post a picture of these in my story when I make them!
If you are enjoying SIMPLE40, please share with a friend. It's never too late to join! Check my website under the SIMPLE40 tab to catch up with any days you have missed. Thank you for following along!
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