You would think that after coming back from vacation that I would be feeling peaceful, rested and ready to jump back in to my busy life. But even if we hadn’t had such a miserably sick week on vacation, I would still not be ready.
Before we left, I read a great book and a little light came on in a corner of a pretty room that I long to visit. I can picture the room . . . it has two comfy chairs, the softest of blankets, pretty lighting and no technology. It is the “slow” room. It is a the spot to connect with others. It is the place to forget lists, productivity and remember life.
You see, I am tired of not getting to housework because my plate is too full. I am tired of stretching myself out so that I am always exhausted. I am tired of seeing my kitchen counter littered with the latest and greatest scraps, bills and paperwork. I am flying through life and focusing too much on productivity.
I long to slow down and live intentionally. How about you?
Enter Tsh Oxenreider’s new book, Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World. Tsh is the founder and main voice of of The Art of Simple (formerly SimpleMom). I had met Tsh at Allume 2012 and also really enjoyed her other book, Organized Simplicity. This book did not disappoint.
Notes from a Blue Bike is full of charming stories and convictions on living intentionally. Rich with details and anecdotes, Tsh pulls from her time living abroad as she compares the traditional rushed life of the west.
She inspires her readers to live counter-culture and to elevate what it is that is most important to each person.
Here are two of my favorite quotes:
“They, too, craved a more meaningful life, a life that made margin for doing nothing, for not bowing down to calendars, for saying yes to long walks with their kids and cooking seasonally from scratch because there was time. . . . As though we were somehow made for a slower life.”
“Here stood a tangible symbol of the very meaning of working with intention – knowing both my gifts and my limits, my calling and my opportunities that need a “no,” and being at peace with understanding the difference. To give myself the time and freedom to create my best art, and to confidently turn down those roles and opportunities that aren’t the best fit.”
Living intentionally may very well mean living counter-culture. My kids won’t be in every sport possible. I won’t be saying yes to everything that sounds like a fun idea. I will be more selective, more deliberate and more intentional. Filtering the vast choices of our society through the goals and dreams I have for my family.
Notes from a Blue Bike GIVEAWAY
Would you like to win a copy of this book? Leave a comment telling me why you need to slow down and live more intentionally. I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday, February 24, 2014.
UPDATE: Congratulations Denise H, winner of the giveaway!
This post is part of the Blue Bike Blog Tour, which I’m thrilled to be part of. To learn more and join us, head here.
My name is Kristen. I'm a former Wedding & Event Planner blogging about fun ways to celebrate each and every day and the special occasions of life. Here you'll find inspiration for family fun, children's activities, party planning and a faith-filled life. 
So I can soak in my boys while still younger, they’re ten months apart preteen and before I know it they will be teenagers into their own world…
I would live to read this book! Sounds wonderful!
Congratulations Denise! You are the winner of the copy of Notes From A Blue Bike.
I would love to learn ideas from her on how to slow down and enjoy the moments right now. Thank you
I don’t want to look back and wish I had spent my time differently.
Book sounds great.
Sure need this 🙂
I would like to get a vopy for my daughter. She is a Miniter’s wife and very busy. She could use some time “to smell the flowers”.
If I don’t stop and slow my life down a bit, I may just miss everything that God has allowed to be a part of my life. I think I need this more than I realize.
I need to slow down and live more intentionally because I feel like I am constantly flittering from one place to the next, without rhyme or reason. It gets exhausting and really wears down both me and those around me. I could real use a copy of this book. It sounds like just what I need. I want my daily actions to have purpose and to be structured within the framework of God’s hopes for me and my life.
My one word for the year is FOCUS. And my daughter actually has a blue bike.
Would love to read this book.
No regrets!
I need to enjoy and savor dinnertime with the family rather than thinking about all that I have left to do before bedtime!
I really want to read this book! Sounds wonderful. I need to try and enjoy my mornings more. I’m always so rushed!
I want to try and not be so frazzled all the time. There always seems to be so much going on at once!