Two years ago, Shirley, wife, mother and doctor, found herself worn out. She got up earlier, and went to bed later, just to meet everyday ____, but lacked ____ for the things that mattered most.

She and her husband, a lawyer, began searching for ways to ___ their lives. “We had to decide what was really ____,” says Shirley. They knew they wanted more time to ____ with their three-­year-­old son, to exercise and eat right, and to develop friendship.

So the couple chose to live more simply, shopping with care for necessities and enjoying inexpensive ____ such as reading, cooking and going to the park.

Then Shirley ____ her job and began working part time. She printed business cards that ____ “At your service, buy ____ a little time” and helped clients (客户) with personal tasks like shopping, paying bills and ____ parties. “I still work hard, but being able to control my hours makes a ____,” she says, “I can spare time to take my son to the ____ or play basketball with him. My stress and headaches are ____.”

Shirley and her husband are ____ alone in wanting to ____ and live a satisfying life. A survey found that 54 percent of parents say they have little time with their children, and 47 percent of married couples ____ that they lack time together. ____ does the time go?

For most people, ____ and commuting (通勤) take up most of the day. Simplifying means becoming ____ of the ways we use money, time and energy, and finding ways to make things easier. Then we have to gain ____ over life and have time for the pleasures.