Minimalism: The Japanese Art of Declutter to Organize Your Home Life (2018) by Kiku Katana, Somewhat REVIEW

 

Minimalism: The Japanese Art of Declutter to Organize Your Home Life (2018)
by Kiku Katana

One of my habits while reading a book is that I also take time to listen to the author’s interviews and/or talks on podcasts and YouTube and, if available, I listen to the audiobook. In this way, I can absorb more information, catch what I might miss when I’m just reading it and figure how the author thinks or the reasoning process. Also, it helps me to know what is his or her main points (if you can find the author’s TED Talks online that would be superb!). If I’m very interested in the subject, I explore other authors or speakers that cover the same topic. Because of this habit (or rather discipline?), I can somewhat figure out either the author is original – in a sense of the way the author expressing the thoughts or ideas not the actual subject itself, for “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) – or just straight-up plagiarizing.

So, what do I think about Kiku Katana’s Minimalism? Well, to put it mildly, she falls in between. Before this book, I’ve read Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Fumio Sasaki’s Goodbye, Things, and Kiku draws heavily from these two books. It is not word-for-word or even thought-for-thought similarities but more like paraphrasing ideas and techniques. Although it is very familiar, repetitive, and not-so-original for me, I find that this book is helpful: 1) as an introduction if you haven’t read any of the minimalist books (one of the definitions of a minimalist that I like is someone who “keeping things very simple”); 2) to remind us that we are living in a very consumeristic society that wants more and so we must examine ourselves and control our impulses to be passive consumers; and 3) the approach to extend the philosophy holistically in our lives not just our dealing with things or stuff is seem unique to Kiku for she also talks about health, finance, and food consumptions. Other than that, it is similar to other books (and most of the popular authors are from Japan, the same culture). Understandably, the subject of minimalism is not that broad and straight to the point. If you ‘get’ the philosophy, then, the execution is a matter of context, purpose, and experience.

I own only less than a dozen of plain t-shirts, use a plastic cardholder as my wallet, I don’t watch TV, no wall decoration in my place so far, almost non-active in social media except for LEGASI.tv, only leave essential apps on my phone, no debt except one, etc., I’m not calling myself a minimalist because a) I might change; b) I’m a maximalist when it comes to physical books and motorcycles; c) It should become a lifestyle not just following the trend; and d) although the term ‘minimalism’ (and even ‘essentialism’) first use as an art term*, I found out that the modern-day teachings of it are rooted from the Zen Buddhism (the practice, however, are ancient). This requires discernment. One of the mottos of minimalism is: “Less is more.” But as Christ-follower, my motto is: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). If it seems like I go with the minimalist mentality, it is because it will lead me to contentment 😊💪

#1Book1Week #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #Minimalism #Essentialism #GodlyContentment #Lifestyle

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

Young Men and Women, Christ Is The Centre of Everything

"Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ…"

(2 Timothy 2:8, Philips)

As Paul advice the young Timothy on how to be a faithful minister, he injects this powerful exhortation: Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ. Only when Timothy keeps this in his mind and heart he will be able to keep his priorities right. We, too, do well to observe it. The risen Christ is the centre of everything for Christianity is – Christ.

He is central in history, for in a very real sense history is His Story. Time is divided by His birth (BC = Before Christ; AD = Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord). The course of world history has been defined by His presence on earth. If Christ is omitted, history does not make sense. Nations may ignore Him, but He controls the destiny and sways the future of them all. Ernest Renan wrote, "All history is incomprehensible without Christ"; Kenneth Scot Latourette declared, "Gauged by the consequences that have followed, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have been the most important events in the history of mankind"; and Charles H. Spurgeon observed, "Christ is the great central fact in the world's history. To Him, everything looks forward or backward. All the lines of history converge upon Him."

Now, who can deny that He is central in art? Visit the famous art galleries of the world and note the subject of the greatest paintings. In literature, He occupies the central role and subject. The greatest masterpieces of music found their inspiration in Him. In architecture, no structures combine such symmetry, beauty, and grandeur as the buildings created for His worship.

He is the centre of the human race. In His alone do we find ideal humanity. He revealed in terms of human life the full perfections of Deity. In many places, Scripture introduces Him as the central figure. We see Him in the midst of the teachers, the experts in religious instruction, to learn of His Father's world purpose (read Luke 2:46-47). He is seen in the midst of sinners, bringing salvation (read John 19:18). He died as a criminal and He was in the central cross.

He appears in the midst of the churches, Revelations 1:13 says, "And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man…" Having triumphed over death, He now judges over the work and witness of His Church. Our final glimpse of Him is in the midst of the throne in heaven. "I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne…" (Revelations 5:6). Oh, what gladness and joy to see Jesus Christ reigning and being worship by the whole redeemed creation! He occupying the central theme of the universe! Wow!

Surely this must be the climax. But no, there is something more wonderful. Jesus Christ is in the midst of us all. He said, "For where two or three gather together as my followers (or gather together in my name), I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). Christ is the centre of everything!

Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

I Love Rock Music!

In his book Art and the Bible, Francis Schaeffer (I found it in our office library today) describes four categories of art: bad art with a true message, good art with a true message, bad art with a bad message, and good art with a good message. These four categories of arts reminds me of the modern rock music which I hear almost every day of my life. I love rock music!

Rock music is very exciting and yet very dangerous at the same time. Upbeat rock can increase our mood, make our mind alert and give the sense of freedom to our souls (especially when we sing along). Rock also has the invincible power to unite rock lovers from very part of the world. Just come to the live concerts and you will see how easily strangers can become friends.

The dangerous part is when good music combined with a false message, we can get confused. I don’t believe that Satan creates music. He has no power to create. God is the One who create music for His own glory and for us to enjoy. But Satan (as he always does) can misuse and manipulate music as an instrument of sins. Catchy music and clever lyrics give false messages a credibility they would not ordinarily have (This reminds me of how our generations today draw their many foreign ideas about God and world views from their favourite artists instead of the Scripture). By naturally responding to the song’s quality, we may suspend judgment and accept its false message, too. More over rock music primarily fall short in the areas of materialism, sex (‘love’ usually mean sex) and hedonism (pursuing pleasure and the ‘good life’). This is dangerous!

But why I still listen to rock music? Because the problem is not the music, it is our ability to discern good and acceptable songs from bad and manipulative songs. In reality we can’t get away from listening to rock music and the likes. Television, internet, radio and technology gadgets are full of many kind of music – good and bad and somewhere in between – that bombarded our ears with many confusing messages. To try to get away from this is not just unrealistic but also unchristian. The Scriptures says we are not “of the world” but (yet) “in the world.” Therefore, I still listen to rock but with cautious and discernment. This applies to any songs I hear every day. Just because there are words like “Jesus” and “God” in the lyrics, it doesn’t mean that the message is biblical. Thus, be careful!

But a word of warning: if we want the freedom to listen (or not to listen) to certain songs, then we must reserve judgment and allow others to make their own choices, too. We shouldn’t impose on others to “listen to this” and “don’t listen to that.” Let others have the freedom to choose. I think, rather than condemning rock, God’s people should be in the position of encouraging whatever is good, worthy and true to popular music. And rather than blacklisting, condemning or otherwise writing off rock bands and even Christian rock bands that don’t fit our stereotypes of what Christian musicians should be (unless it is obviously contain false messages), we must encourage them to higher achievement. The Christian community and the world at large desperately need the creativity, enthusiasm, courage and vision Christian artists can bring. Peace!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.