Years ago my mother in law gave me the book, “Margin” by Dr. Richard A. Swenson and I absolutely loved reading it! I have since read it again (and I rarely read a book twice). I have also seriously considered re-reading it every year so that I do not forget the advice and guidance it gives.
I think everyone could stand to add more margin to their lives and this book helps you understand why it’s so important and how to make it happen.
Dr. Swenson does a great job of giving you simple and practical ways to give your life more margin and also live a more meaningful life. He talks about simplicity and lists out many ways to make your life simpler. Below are shortened versions of his lists, but you get the idea. I have these lists saved in my Evernote files and I also have them written in my daily planner so that I can reference them often. They are great reminders on how to simplify, slow down, love well, be present, focus on one thing at a time, and enjoy all of the blessings in life.
- De-accumulate
- Give things away
- Avoid over indulging
- Avoid impulse buying
- Do not uby anything if the time and money spent on it competes with family or service to God
- Avoid debt
- Slow down
- Do not exhaust your emotional bank account
- Say no
- Schedule free time
- Expect the unexpected
- Create buffer zones (add extra time around meetings, appointments, etc)
- Enjoy peaceful music
- Control / restrict / eliminate t.v. watching and web surfing
- Cultivate closeness with God
- Schedule simple date nights with your spouse
- Teach your children
- Practice regular hospitality
- Help each other – emphasize service
- Encourage others
- Always speak the truth & you’ll never be concerned with your memory
- Don’t judge
- Send cards of encouragement and appreciation when others are not expecting it
- Be grateful for things large and small
- Emphasize a joyful life
- Appreciate creation
- Make the Bible central – read it everyday
- Meditate and memorize
- Pray
- Encourage simple worship
- Make your commitments simple
- Don’t overwork
- Fast periodically from media, food and people
- Simplify Christmas
- Write down what you need to remember – forget everything else
- Exercise
- Bike or walk
- Make recreation active rather than passive
- Avoid over eating
- Frequent a co-op
- Buy local from the source
- Garden
You should definitely check out this book and start creating more margin (i.e. peace) in your life so you have plenty of time and energy for what really matters!