Amos Books

Living a quiet life

Episode 79 Daily Lists

A Quiet Life
A Quiet Life
Episode 79 Daily Lists
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Annie Dillard said, ‘How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing.’ 

Let’s use our daily lists to make sure that how we spend our days gives us the opportunity to give to the world the gift that only we can give.

Do you have another way to organise your day? Do you use pen and paper, or an app on your phone? How do you make sure you don’t try to squeeze too much into a day? Write and tell me at ruth@ruthamos.com.au or find me on Facebook at Ruth Amos Author or Twitter @aquietlifeblog. I’d love to hear from you.

Ep 78: Focus

A Quiet Life
A Quiet Life
Ep 78: Focus
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Our culture seems to be a little addicted to overwork. I mean, working hard, putting effort in, getting heaps done. That’s all good, isn’t it? That’s valuable. That makes us feel like productive members of society.

I don’t have a problem with good productive work. But I do have a problem if it takes over your whole life and leaves you no time for anything else. And one way that I see that happening is if you half-work when you should be focusing. It means your work drags out, doesn’t get done, comes home in the evening, takes over your weekend.

Instead, try setting a timer and really focusing on your work. That way, when you get it done you can really relax, have some fun, be creative, play, with no guilt at all.

Ep 77 Values

A Quiet Life
A Quiet Life
Ep 77 Values
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Do you know what your top values are? Do you know why you make decisions to do, or not do certain things? Do you have any idea what it is you’re really reaching for?

Today I share an excellent exercise to prayerfully undertake. I don’t think you need a week’s retreat to do it, but I suggest you do it over a few days. I did not find this an easy undertaking. But I have found it super helpful.

And if you would like to share your top values with me, I’d love to hear them. Write and tell me at ruth@ruthamos.com.au or find me on Facebook at Ruth Amos Author or Twitter @aquietlifeblog. I’d love to hear from you.

Ep 76. Silence and solitude

A Quiet Life
A Quiet Life
Ep 76. Silence and solitude
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‘I had 90 minutes to myself,’ the tweet read. ‘No questions, no demands, just 90 minutes for me. OK, it was a root canal, but still.’

When was the last time you had time alone?

Can you do it? Ten minutes a day. You could get up ten minutes early, or you could go to bed and sit quietly before sleep. You could spend ten minutes in silence while going for a walk in your lunch break. Yes, you don’t have to just sit, walking meditation is a thing, or swimming, or cycling.

I cannot recommend this practice highly enough. Ten minutes a day of just you and God. Give it a go.

If you want to learn more (and I highly recommend that too) read Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton. This is the book that I’ve been using to start my practice.

Ep 75 Lists

A Quiet Life
A Quiet Life
Ep 75 Lists
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Today’s post is for you beautiful people who are feeling really overwhelmed right now.

The people who are finding that every time you turn around there’s yet another thing that you have to do.

I have an excellent tool for just this situation. A tool that will work, just for you.

I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Write and tell me at ruth@ruthamos.com.au or find me on Facebook at Ruth Amos Author or Twitter @aquietlifeblog. I’d love to hear from you.

Ep 74 Rest

A Quiet Life
A Quiet Life
Ep 74 Rest
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Today I share with Scottie my very important top productivity tip of all time.

Rest.

I encourage you this week to take a day off. Just one day out of the seven. I don’t care which day it is, but whatever day works best for you, take it off for rest and recreation. I promise you that you’ll feel better for it, and that you’ll work better the next week.

Do you take time to rest? Write and tell me at ruth@ruthamos.com.au or find me on Facebook at Ruth Amos Author or Twitter @aquietlifeblog. I’d love to hear from you.