Simplify (Paperback)

by Paul Borthwick (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The prophet Isaiah urged the people of God living under extreme stress to remember that their strength would be found in quietness and trust. The Psalmist urged worshippers that to be still was key to their worship. Jesus reminded people that sitting in quietness was better than a life of hectic busyness. Even the writer Henry David Thoreau when asked the secret of life, replied, Simplify, simplify, simplify. Almost everyone feels the demands on the limited resources of time and moneyso how do we build quiet, rest and simplicity into our lives? Technology can help, but it often adds more stress. Planning is useful but it often means that we end up doing more and increasing our speed in the hours that we have. Multitasking might mean that we get more done but its no substitute for the peace of a more balanced life. Realistically, these demands on our resources will only increase as the pace of life and the options on how to expend our limited resources multiply. "Simplify" is about making choices to restore balance, to build a life schedule founded on the sane realization that we cannot accomplish everything, and to learn to live within our limits. By covering issues related to scheduling, pacing your life, saying No, and even eating more sensibly, "Simplify" helps the reader live with a greater sense of inner contentment, enjoyment of life and increased sense of purpose.

About the Author
Paul Borthwick serves as a senior consultant on the staff of Development Associates International (DAI), a training group dedicated to the character and ministry development of leaders in the underresourced world. Paul also teaches missions at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Paul and his wife, Christie, dedicate themselves to mobilizing others for crosscultural missions from their ministry base in Lexington, Massachusetts. Before joining the staff of DAI, Paul served twentytwo years on the ministerial staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts in a variety of capacities including youth pastor and minister of missions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Authentic (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934068012
• ISBN-13: 978-1934068014
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #518,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Simplify" is as informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring., April 2, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

If the simple life equates with the good life, then it stands to reason that the more complicated, cluttered, disorganized, and complex the life the less likely life will be experienced as 'good' on a day to day basis. That's why Paul Borthwick (a Senior Consultant for Development Associates International -- a training group dedicated to the character and ministry development of leaders in third world countries) draws upon his years of experience and expertise to write "Simplify: 106 Ways To Uncomplicate Your Life", a compendium of tips, tricks, techniques, and strategies to get more out of life by decluttered the daily schedule, reducing wasted efforts on things that don't really matter, keeping fit, becoming aware of how our time is being spent, and fostering a life-style that is truly suited to our needs and deftly adapted to our aspirations. Practical, articulate, and very highly recommended reading for anyone seeking to improve the quality of their daily life, "Simplify" is as informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simplify, April 7, 2008

By	Tami Brady "Whole Health Therapist" (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Simplify is not exactly the book that I thought it would be when I picked it up. To me, the title suggested that this book would tell me how to manage my time and focus on the really important things in my life. That by the end of the book, I would feel just a little more centered and would have deleted a half dozen things off my to do list. Perhaps, I might even come away with an idea of why I overstress myself and be armed with a few new strategies to counteract this unhealthy behavior.

Instead, as I read through Simplify, I realized that this was a book about downsizing your life of material objects and saving money in the process. I'm already pretty frugal (downright cheap) so the majority of the ideas presented in this work are already part of my routine. Still, it's a very important concept, especially in this material driven world. I am sure that many people are looking for ideas to help them save money so that they can focus on their faith and family.

5.0 out of 5 stars Put to good use!, June 4, 2008

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Cathy Yanda for Reader Views (5/08)

Has there been one day in your life where you knew if you could just get things together, your life would be much better? Has there been more than one? If you are like most of us, the answer would be a resounding YES! In this case, this book is for you. If you have never experienced the need to simplify and uncomplicate your life, you can stop now, as this book is not for you. Borthwick writes, "Lack of focus often manifests itself in multi-tasking that results in unfinished projects." I never thought this was true for me until his words caused me to think more about it. He was right. I began thinking about what I needed to do to make things happen, to tend to the more important things in my life and found that I would have more time and focus if I let go of some things that I really didn't need or want to do.

"Simplify" is a small book that is laid out in short chapters around topics that look at determining whether you need or want something, staying fit, how to spend your downtime, and much more. The book has many references to Biblical principles and a resource appendix. With 106 different topics, you can choose to read one a day, two a week, or even one a week, or you can do as I did and read the entire book, highlight the ones you need to concentrate on and re-read them as needed.

Borthwick reminds us to remember that our life is not the norm for others, and that we should make decisions about how our life goes. We cannot depend on someone else to do so. He shares that "God's priorities for us are summarized in Micah 6:8. What does God want from us? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God." When we begin to look at our lives through this test, we will begin to live with moderation in all things. "Simplify" is highly recommended reading for those of us who have at any time felt like we lost control of some of the important things in life and want a simpler, better life.