Book excerpt: Why do we pursue more when we'd be happier with less? In this updated edition of 7, now in hardcover for the first time, New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker tells the story of how she and her family tried to combat overindulgence--and what they learned along the way about living a truly meaningful life. Simple & Free is the true story of how Jen Hatmaker (along with her family) identified seven areas of excess--food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, and stress--and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence. So, what's the payoff from living a deeply reduced life? It's the discovery of a greatly increased connection with God--a call toward simplicity and generosity that transcends social experiment to become a radically better life. In this new edition, written not just for readers of faith but for everyone who craves a gentler, simpler life, Hatmaker shares how sustainability and generosity still impact and challenge her today. Annotated throughout with new reflections from the author, this book offers thoughtful insights on the vastly different world of Simple & Free from back when it was first published as 7, and considers the dramatically different space Hatmaker occupies now. Simple & Free is funny, raw, and not a guilt trip in the making. Come along and discover what Jesus' version of rich, blessed, and generous might look like in your life.