it begins with the year

Julie, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it all started with a pair of gloves and a matching hat, purchased on a whim, and completely unnecessary. 

She's the mastermind of this revolution, really.

And I use the word 'revolution' purposefully. Not because there's a search for people to join or to change the world, but because I think the world could stand to ask the questions we're asking ourselves this year. The answers would be surprising. 

I use the word revolution because in some ways, it's a revolt against "needy" society. Really, against a needy mentality.

Over the past couple months, in the time since Julie and I started talking about this, I've come to believe that there is this mindset that we are needy. 

'We' is defined subjectively, and 'needy' too, although maybe a little less so. 

There are too many avenues with which we can be instantly gratified, whether that is looking something up on the internet for lighting-quick results (9,000,000 of them) or running quickly to one of the four surrounding corner stores for a snack or a sandwich, or a quick coffee. I hope you see my point. We want it, we get it.

Well, this year is a time to try to be resourceful. We want it, we find a way to get by without it, or we find something that can act as a substitute (something that we, say, already own or possess) or hey, the best yet: we just get over it! 

It's a cry for simplicity: to get back to basics and to realize that the excess in life can be trimmed away. This year-long exercise is precisely about discovering just what is excess, and what it will take to trim it away. 

So, to say what I mean: no buying anything this year. Apart from food and gas for the car, and toilet paper, of course, there will be no purchases made. At least not without an extreme examination of the deeper motives for desiring some sort of purchase...to see what happens in a life led without worldly want. 

Save money, save time (shopping is time consuming!), appreciate what we have, give away what we don't need, focus on the more important things in life, and

let go, trusting in the One who gives us everything we could ever truly desire. God's really in control of this whole experiment, and our whole lives, so all glory be to Him. +