Friday Favorite: 7

A friend gave me the book 7: an Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, by Jen Hatmaker.  There is talk of a going through this with a group of women.  I was all jazzed about it, until I read it.  Now, I am convinced this is something I need to consider, but absolutely terrified at the prospect.

Let me give you some background.  The idea with the book is that each month, for seven months, Jen takes an area of her life prone to excess, and whittles it down to just seven things.  For one month she eats only seven foods, another month wears only seven pieces of clothing, and so on.  It encompasses food, clothing, shopping, waste, stress, media, and possessions.  Strategically she tackles each area and honestly reflects on her month.

I couldn't put the book down and pretty much read it in one day.  It was such an eye-opening experience.  While I don't feel as prone to excess in some of the same areas, some I'm sure I'm more prone and there are other areas I'm sure I need to take a long hard look at in my own life.  It brings you face-to-face with your own perspective on what is necessary and what is frivolous.  When in reality, most of what I consume and purchase would be classified as a luxury to the majority of the world.

So, for what it's worth, I'm going to walk with my friend through this experience.  I'm not yet sure where I will go with this, but if nothing else, it makes me far more aware of where my treasures are, there my heart is also.