Welcome to my new blog.

I've decided to restart my blog. I decided to start blogging about a year ago this time, for not necessarily the right reasons. In the past year I keep thinking about blogging more, and then I opt out. But then I realized something. Blogging is intentional. And intentionality is good.

There have been a few buzz words that have not left my brain in the past year, including the word intentional. To be intentional is to be "designed, planned, or deliberate." For example, I may be intentionally writing this post right now because I want to do anything but write a research paper. Intentionality is good. It shows that you are compassionate and passionate. I would like to learn to be more intentional.

Another word that has not escaped my mind is simplicity. Within the past year I have felt that my life needs to reflect the simplictity of our intentional God. He was intentional in his designing of creation, planning to have a relationship with us, and deliberately sending Jesus to show true simplicity.

Yet I constantly buy into (literally) our materialistic, consumer-driven culture. I don't want to seem like I've just jumped on the bandwagon with this, but it really is true. In the past year I have heard more and more people talking about how we are such consumers, consumers of everything, and how greatly this affects our lives. It's hard to realize until we deeply (and intentionally) look at all of our consumption.

I believe that if I can learn true simplicity, I can help not only myself, but those who have been enslaved to satisfy our consumerism. So lets just say this blog has a few purposes. One, to hold me accountable to living a more simplistic life. Two, to raise awareness as to how our non-simplistic lifestyles victimize the lives of many innocent people. And three, to learn how God intended for me to live.

I think this is going to be an extremely humbling and growing experience. I look forward to seeing how I can uncomplicate and unclutter my life.