Happiness consists not in having much, but in wanting no more than you have. ~ Lydia M. Child
This word prompt comes from The Five Minute Friday website for Christian writers. As I began reflecting on the word MORE, I thought about all the times I felt like I needed to be more, have more, do more in order to be what the world expected. There were times in my life when I felt “less than” because I believed that others in the world were more, had more, accomplished more than me. It took me a long time to learn to love my life just as it was at any given moment.
I don’t need more…
- things to clutter up my home.
- clothes to shove in my closet and be forgotten.
- friends on social media
- TV programs to mindlessly watch
- credit card debt
I need more
- smiles and laughter
- days with my grandchildren
- time with my husband
- “playdates” with my close friends
- meals shared together around the table
It also reminded me of a book I love to read to my students, Just Enough and Not Too Much by Kaethe Zemach. In this story, Simon the fiddler lived in a cozy little house and had everything he needed. One day he looked around and wanted more, so he started amassing a great quantity of different things until his house became too cluttered. He invited many friends over for a party. When the party was over he encouraged his friends to take all of his excess belongings. In the end Simon the fiddler was happy once more because he had just enough and not too much.
I strive to be like Simon – wanting just enough and not too much.
Rita DiCarne 
I love your list of things we don’t need more of (certainly describes me!) as much as all the wonderful things that “more of” would make life even sweeter!!
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Thank you Rita fir reminding me to stop comparing myself to others and be happy with myself!
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It’s a work in progress!
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We just did our second downsizing. It’s amazing the ‘stuff’ we don’t really need. 🙂
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This is a great post! I really like the contrasting lists of what you don’t need more of and what you do need more of. I also like how you pulled in a text that reflects your thoughts–I’m going to check that one out. Thanks!
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Lovely post!
Fancy a sonnet, inspired by your words?
I have been a pilit and a builder of aeroplanes for all my life. Now, dyingof pancreatic cancer, I can still do a bit of the work to which my soul calls.
Now that I am dying,
there’s little that I need.
Reminders, yes, of flying,
that was my heart-growth seed.
Aeroplanes are in my blood
and engines in my soul.
Now adrift in cancer’s flood
this still can keep me whole.
The parlour now contains my tools
(I have a patient wife)
and fabrication still fuels
the mainspring of my life.
Still fashioning the dream of flight
I’m drawn closer to the Light.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/03/your-dying-spouse-589-beautiful-people.html
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Aargh! ‘Pilot’, not ‘pilit’.
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Thank you. I visited your site for the first time. You beautiful words are an inspiration to me in many ways. I will pray for you as you make your way through this journey.
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Thought-provoking post! More is not always better. Need to remember to cherish what we do have!
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Your post actually reminds me of a verse that says godliness with contentment is great gain. I notice that having more than enough actually creates a vacuum in one’s life. I do like the list of what we should crave more of.
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Wonderful post, Rita! Thanks for the reminder of what it means to be content.
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Thanks, Rose.
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Love the need more list, especially smiles and laughter and meals shared around a table.
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Thanks
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This is truly my kind of thinking. I crave simplicity first, and from there I can explore the richness of what lies beneath.
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Inspiring thoughts. Have you read 7 by Jen Hatmaker? I don’t know if I could ever cut back as much as she did, but I definitely need to get down to less, as you said, and focus on the more time with family and friends and shared meals.
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I will put it on my list. Thanks.
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Your “I need more” list is beautiful. I hope you get what you wish – lots of time with the loved ones, common meals, smiles and laughter.
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That’s actually a great idea! Throw a party and let everyone take home something that they want! I wonder if I would have the guts to do it! lol Visiting from FMF #33
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That’s actually a really great idea! Throw a party and let people take home something they want! I wonder if I have the guts to do it. lol Visiting as your FMF neighbor #33.
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Visiting from FMF community…in this culture it’s such a challenge to not look around and want more – thanks to social media! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on what everyone needs more of
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