Practical Book Review (Becker) 2
Summary
Joshua Becker’s (2016), The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You
Own, is a powerful, thought-provoking book about how one can live more by owning less.
Becker introduces the readers to the word, “minimalism.” He believes it is the key to living a
better life. The goal of minimalism it not just to own less stuff. The goal is to unburden our
lives so we can accomplish more. He warns the readers that minimalism is going to look
different from that of everyone else because your life is different from that of everyone else. He
urges the reader that by following this type of lifestyle, it would help them not to lose sight of the
things that really matter to them.
Becker tells the reader to set goals that will help them identify the life they want to live.
This will also help the reader to pursue the level of minimalism they need to meet that goal. The
most important type of intentionality lies in pursuing your greatest passions and most cherished
dreams, not that minimalism has freed them up to do so. People should not let things keep them
from the better life available to them to live.
We must declutter our lives of unneeded possessions, people and sometimes
relationships. Sometimes the best move is to cut off a relationship entirely. Abusive and
codependent relationships, in particular, are prime candidates for removal, unless they can be
fundamentally altered. He not only has the reader take a closer look at their possessions in
relation to their happiness, but also gives some universal benefits of using the concept of
minimalism in one’s life.
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So What?! Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the
removal of anything that distracts us from them. The ultimate purpose is to put ourselves in a
position where it’s easier to fulfill our life’s goals. So, before starting the journey, articulate one
or more reasons why you want to minimize. Your purposes will drive your simplifying, and
your simplifying will refine your purpose.
RESPOND:
I have come to realize, as the ‘ME I SEE NOW,” I am always busy, needing to do
something, finish something, and go somewhere. There are days I awake overwhelmed, because
upon planning my day, I never have enough time in the day. This busyness many days keeps me
from ever having time with friends and family, or even enjoying my hobbies. I have become
aware of my disconnectedness. God want us to be a part of His community. I do not have time
to enjoy the fellowship. The part of Becker’s book that will help in my growth and development
in the midst of relationships is “An Intentional Life.” Becker (2016) helps the person becoming a
minimalist also learn how to unbusy themselves so we manage our time well and focus on the
things that were most important to us. He lays out four steps to get there: first, I have to cultivate
space in my daily routine for prayer, meditation and investment in solitude. Secondly, I must
reduce my distractions from the cellphone, social media, and emails. Thirdly, I have to be okay
with saying no to less important commitments. This will open my life to pursue the most
important ones.
The second place I need growth and development is in my relationships. Due to my
distractions and busyness, I have drifted away into disconnectedness. I have come to a season in
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my life there is a need to declutter my relationships as well and nurture some in love. Becker
(2016) speaks of this need. Sometimes the best move is to cut off a relationship entirely.
Abusive and codependent relationships, in particular, are prime candidates for removal, unless
they can be fundamentally altered. Do the breakup kindly if you can but do it. In other cases,
you might just need to put limits or boundaries on a relationship. Every good-bye makes room
for a new hello. When I remove or reduce a harmful relationship, I’ll experience less distraction
and more peace. I’ll have more time, more energy, and better emotional resources to devote to
the people and things that matter most to me. He also teaches that there are benefits to investing
in relationships that do not really benefit me.
REFLECT:
There was a great “ah ha” moment that in the book, that hit me as ton of bricks. The “Me
I Want to See Soon?” will have to practice aligning my personality type behaviors that are
weakness and my self-management techniques given through the emotionality intelligence
assessment. I must practice love, value one-sided friendships, use difficult people in my life to
grow. Ortberg (2010), also speaks on this area. He stated, we all have difficult people in our
life, but hear this: God can use them to help you become the best version of you-maybe even
more than the people you like. Other people don’t create your spirit; they reveal you spirit. If I
need to develop love, then some unlovable people will be my greatest challenge. I have friends
that tell me I do not show my true self around them. I have learned, when vulnerable in the past,
they take your words and use them against you. When I try to listen and help in their situations,
they become defensive and will not receive the truth, from the Word of God. I changed my tone,
and practiced love based on the DISC, it still has not changed anything in our relationship.
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Then there are those who say, they want to be friends to glean from me. They have
nothing to add, and when we are together, it is so draining. They are needy and suck the very
virtue from me. Becker (2016) noted the friend he would call John. He explained that by being
honest, he is not getting much out of the relationship. The friend dose not offer him much of
anything, on any level. The one thing he does off is frequent opportunities for him to give love.
This is the area, I have been told, I am lacking. Like Becker (2016), noted this love expects
nothing in return but a pure unselfish love. One that requires patience and grace, commitment,
and sacrifice. This friendship example is teaching me the greater intentionality into my
relationship. I need people who will lead me, mentor me, and love me, but I also want to keep in
my life people whom I serve and love and pour my life into. He has helped me to realize they
are both required for a balanced live.
ACT:
The “Me I Want to Become SOON,” will be a healthier and more consistent me. I have
been in prayer about breaking the generational curses of unhealthy habits and illnesses. I can see
the affect they have on my parents and my deceased family members. Becker (2016) included in
his book an excerpt from Gary Thomas, the author of Every Body Matters. He says: we need to
start treating our bodies like instruments, vessels set apart to serve the God who fashioned them.
More importantly, our physical bodies are the instruments through which we accomplish our
purpose in this world. I always start out with a bang and do not remain consistent. This mindset
must stop. Being overweight is causing health problems in my life and a lack of energy. I have
joined the gym and commit myself to a minimum of 3 days of week of workout. My diet is also
being changed, so I fuel my body properly. I have increased my water intake daily, as the author
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has suggested. My mindset is being transformed so that unhealthy habits are stopped. It starts
with making my list of those things I am aware cause hurt to my body. Remember the changes
are being made so I can accomplish my purpose in life. Scriptures I quote to myself often are, if
I cannot keep the pace and consistency to finish as footman, without becoming weary, then how
when things need more energy applied, more speed/force, love, and patience (the horsemen), will
I be able to contend? (Jeremiah 12:5). The race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the
strong, neither bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, not yet favour to men of
skill: but time and chance happeneth to them all (Ecclesiastes 9:11). But he that endureth to the
end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Love, connectedness, lessening distractions, consistent exercise all takes intentional
practice. The Scripture reminds me, there is profit in all labor (Proverbs 14:23). Even so faith if
it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:14).
References
Becker, J. (2016). The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own.
Waterbrook.
King James Bible, (1987).
Ortberg, J. (2010). The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You. Zondervan.
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