Soooo, a long blogging hiatus once again? It's cause I'm so stinking busy, and it's ticking me off. . .so much so that when I was offered the chance to review this book called "Amish Values For Your Family" I JUMPED at the chance. Why? Cause I'm sick and tired of having the word BUSY come out of my mouth every time someone asks me how I'm doing. .. it's ridiculous, and there has to be a better way. .. strategies on how to live in the NOW. I'm convinced there's a way to be productive without being stressed out. . .so I figured I'd give the Amish my ear for a spell and see what happened!
When crusing around the internet, I found this article from CNN Entitled "Why Amish Businesses Don't Fail" it's a great read. Did you know the Amish have a 95% business success rate?? That's crazy right?! Food based businesses have a 95% failure rate. . .so I figured I better up my knowledge and do some studying under some folks who obviously have some stuff figured out. .. the Amish also have one tenth the rate of depression, lower cancer rates and lower heart disease than the rest of the population. . .hey, the numbers don't lie. . .I'm not too proud to bend an ear. . it's not like I'm going to go around town sporting a head covering and dress anytime soon (I'm way to fond of my frizzy curls and rubber boots) . but I will take some notes;)
I'm almost done the book, and will be sharing my favourite Amish bit of goodness on August 18th. .until then, here's a bit about the author, and a guest post from her:)
Guest blog from Suzanne Woods Fisher for “Amish Values for Your Family” (Revell)
Five More Things I’ve Learned from the Amish that Have Nothing to Do with being Amish and Have Everything to Do with being a Christian:
Live humbly. This is the basis of the Amish life. They don’t waste, they reuse and recycle, they live simply and without luxury, they provide for each other’s needs. Daily life is embroidered with gratitude for all God has given them. Two prayers bookend every meal—a meal begins with thanks to God for the nourishing food, and ends with gratitude for what was received.
Amish proverb: “The blessing of sharing outweighs the blessing of having.”
The Lesson: Choose simplicity over clutter. Economy over luxury. And give thanks!
A task takes as long as it takes. It seems like such a paradox—the Amish are busy, yet unhurried. They have a deliberateness in their actions—one job isn’t more important than the other. And they don’t have televisions or computers or radios or telephones—which gives them more time to cook, fish at the lake, enjoy a good book, and spend with their children and grandchildren. They have time to slow down a bit—to smell the roses along their path.
Amish proverb: “Every day that dawns brings something to do that can never be done as well again.”
The Lesson: Reduce the time where attention is focused on electronics (computer! Cell phone! Television!) and strive to be more emotionally present when with others.
Success and Size are not related. The Amish have rapidly adopted to the demands of the modern business world. Their self-owned businesses are remarkably successful, but not at the cost of everything else. They view money as a tool, not the goal.
Amish proverb: “Love, peace, and happiness in the home is of infinitely more value than honor, fame and wealth.”
The Lesson: Never let ambition destroy life’s better goals.
They teach us not to seek vengeance but to forgive. The Amish take the Lord’s Prayer seriously—if they are asking God to forgive them their sins, they must be willing to forgive others who have sinned against them. Being a forgiving person is an everyday intention.
Amish proverb: “It is far better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember.”
The Lesson: No doubt you’re familiar with the Nickel Mines tragedy. If the Amish can forgive the killer of their children, can’t we forgive a friend for not inviting us to a party? Or a driver who cuts us off? Make forgiveness your default button. A habit. An everyday intention.
God has a plan. To the Amish, everything passes through the hands of God. Everything. Joys and sorrows, both. God is sovereign over all—from weather to illness to births to who’s in the White House. They yield to God’s perfect will, trust Him for what they don’t understand, and thank Him for what they do.
Amish proverb: “God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depth can hold my small affairs. His hand, which guides the universe, can carry all my cares.”
The Lesson: Trusting God isn’t passive—it takes a lot of work! But what peace and joy are available to us when we put our faith in the Almighty God. Everything, ultimately, works out for good.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and non-fiction and the host of a weekly radio program called Amish Wisdom. Her most recent book, Amish Values for Your Family released in August. The Waiting is a finalist for a 2011 Christy Award. Amish Peace: Simple and Amish Proverbs were both finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year (2010, 2011). Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.
I just love the book so far. . .it's just what I needed coming into fall. . .time to set new priorities, establish some healthier schedules, and link in with God on a daily basis. . .I'm getting inspired to go slow, but go with intent, go with purpose and go groom some down home values into 4 lovely kids who desperately need me to take some quality time with them. . .
Whoop:)
Now go be mighty!
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Blogs need to have a "like" button. :)
Posted by: Marsha | August 16, 2011 at 06:25 PM
:)
Posted by: roo | August 16, 2011 at 07:12 PM
wow, so true:))) Great share!
Posted by: Holly | August 16, 2011 at 07:28 PM
I LOVED this post Colleen! I'm going to print it out to remind me of those things. I especially like the statement "Trusting God isn't passive - it's hard work". So true. Thanks for sharing, this is what I needed :)
Posted by: Brandy | August 16, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Awesome! I've totally been inspired by this book. . .there will DEFINITELY be more Amish inspired blogging to come:)
Posted by: Colleen | August 17, 2011 at 08:47 AM