Mindful restraint.
Not original to me, the opposite of poverty is not wealth, but enough. It goes without saying that in America that word is seldom heard. We are very mindful of our comfort and particular about our pleasure. Where I work, every day is a reminder of the difference enough means in different cultures. We see both ends of poverty - hopeless and hope fulfilled. We see it in the life of a young woman released from poverty and becoming a judge, a lawyer, a doctor.
What do I hope for as a middle class white mother of three? A bigger house? A new car? College tuition for my kids? I'm not advocating that we shouldn't have that stuff, but I'm mindfully aware that my comfort and pleasure take a high priority in my life. It's time they take a back seat for a spell and practice mindful restraint in what I eat and take time when I drink coffee ...or wine...to drink with a friend. To truly take a break. To work hard and rest well.
In curious to know what you're doing to slow down this season or to get more out of life. Abundant life is a promise. It's how we spend it that's the key.
