May 7, 2026

After The Story | Episode 49

After the Story - Choices Like Rivers - Episode 49

This podcast discusses each chapter of Choices Like Rivers and each episode is posted directly after the book episode. This corresponds to Chapter 17 Section 3.

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In our busy lives we so often lose sight of the simple pleasures of life. Just like Donna used to have, I have had my clothes closets so full I couldn’t shove another item into them, many rarely worn. I am better now, but still have so many more clothes than I need.

In her simple world, Donna still found pleasure in creating. She sewed and then embellished them. There is something about being creative that gives us comfort, joy and healing.

Then there is the joy of that first bite of hot buttered bread. We have no shortage in our world of food to choose from. Sometimes we eat, or snack, mindlessly out of boredom or the need to feel that joy of eating again.

There are many things that at first brought us joy that we have long since lost. The first car we ever owned. The joy of reading a good book. There are many things that once brought us joy that don’t any more.

It can send us on a quest to search for anything that will bring us that joy once again. Often if it once brought us joy, or let me say happiness which I feel is more accurate, we keep going back to that thing to search for that feeling again.

If it doesn’t bring that feeling, then we decide we need a new or upgraded one, and then it will bring us that feeling. And on and on it goes. Maybe that is why we have to rent entire buildings to house all our things now. Things that once gave us a good feeling that no longer do.

We have an emotional attachment to them because at one time the did connect with us and we felt good about them, so it is hard to let go even though many of those things have long since been replaced.

I think even though we would never ever want to be in Donna’s shoes, we do long for the joy that simple pleasures bring to her. We know how she maintains her joy, and yes it is joy. It is because she focuses on the things she is thankful for each day. And it isn’t just an exercise, she truly is thankful to God for what she does have. Reminding herself of those things frequently and thanking God for them generates true Godly joy inside of her.

We don’t have to be in captivity though to experience the joy of simple things. We can do that in our own lives no matter how much we have.

I heard of someone who helps people purge and declutter for a living once say to go through your things and if it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it. Let me go a step further and say that no item in and of itself can ever bring you joy, but it can provide a sliver of fun or enjoyment for the season. If that season if over, get rid of it. Give or sell it to someone else who will enjoy it.

A few years ago I downsized from a 4,700 square foot magnificent home, which I dearly loved, to a 900 square foot apartment. I know for a fact what it feels like to come home here. It is just like it did there. I have made this apartment my own.

The thing that makes these two homes the same is that in each one I felt the peace of God there. You can find peace and God’s joy wherever you are.