What is Easiest Isn’t Always Best

It is no secret that we live in a world that says yes to ease and convenience. It’s reflected in our entertainments choices. In the fast foods we eat. And by the debt we incur with the buy-now-pay-later mentality. Even the gadgets we have in our homes reveal that we want to work less and have more time for leisure!

I’ve been mulling over this infatuation that exists in our world today.

Over the past year, I’ve been examining what I want (and need) for my heart, mind and home to be in a healthy place. Instead of just doing whatever is easiest and most convenient, I started asking myself “what is best for me?”

Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between what is best and what is just easiest.

It’s easy to make a meal from a box or to pull a frozen dinner from the freezer. Much simpler than planning from scratch meals in advance!

Pulling out the phone to browse Instagram for the 6th time in a day is easy and fun. And it’s much more enjoyable than cleaning the bathroom or unloading the dishwasher!

When I’m feeling lazy, it’s nice to relax and watch some of my favorite shows from the 1960’s, instead of getting outdoors and taking a short walk along the country roads that surround my home.

Now don’t get me wrong. 

I’m not saying any of these things are right or wrong. Instead of putting black and white tags on things, I’m learning to observe myself and ask the following questions, so I can more wisely live my life.

Does this activity leave me feeling refreshed?

Quiet in my mind? And still in my heart? 

After saying yes to this thing, will I feel better about myself? Will it leave me feeling grounded and settled inside?

I’m also learning that good things aren’t necessarily good for me at all times.

A perfect example? When I wake up in the morning, I usually hit the ground running. I like getting stuff done when my energy is there in full force, and it feels good to accomplish all the things. But you know what? As much as I like getting things done, I’m learning that I feel happier at the end of my day if I first take 10 or 15 minutes to journal, read Scripture and pray.

I can get so busy doing all the things, that I lose myself somewhere along the way. Taking those few minutes to ground myself, helps.

Because what is easiest isn’t always best. Things that are easy to say “yes” to, don’t necessarily leave me in a good place. All too often, its the mundane, simple things in life that leave me feeling grounded and more fully alive.

Like taking time to wash up the dishes after supper, so I can start with a clean kitchen in the morning.

Or making a point of exercising in the morning, even if it’s just to stretch and warm up my stiff muscles.

Introvert though I am, I feel better when I make a point of seeing a friend at least once a week.

And taking time to put my thoughts to paper helps me stay grounded and in touch with myself.

As I (try to) mature, I’m learning to listen to myself, so I can discover what best serves me and enables me to serve others. I’m learning when to say “yes” to the easy thing, when to say “yes” to the good things and when to say “no, not right now.”

It’s a journey I’ve been on this past year and like you, I often still say “yes” to things because they are easy, forgetting (or choosing to ignore) what is truly best for me.

Because it’s not easy to say no to ease. But it really is necessary in a live well lived.

Isn’t it?