I think, sometimes, I get so bogged down in the day-to-day aspects of living that I forget to take care of me; physically, spiritually, emotionally. Usually, when I'm feeling depleted and in need of a respite from the cares of the world, I go on a walk or take a drive to a favorite place and just soak in the outdoors. Sometimes I'll curl up with a good book---a comforting old favorite---and other times I'll just sit quietly, eyes closed, listening to the sounds of the forest or the ocean or the river. After a few hours, I can feel my spirit and energy renewed and I feel confident enough to leave and take on the mantle of my life again.
One of my favorite spots along the Van Duzen River
Taking time to connect with nature is a vital part of who I am and how I function. I'm sure my affinity with the outdoors, my need for peace and stillness, is directly connected to how I was raised. I love to go and to do, but I love even more to just be. I firmly believe that there is an art to "doing nothing". It is becoming a lost art, to be sure, along with the whole "simplicity movement". There are little pockets of folks all across the world who have rediscovered the joys of simple living and the importance of "doing nothing"and that fact gives me hope.
I have a little booklet that I purchased many years ago from the Elf~help Series produced by Abbey Press. It was written by Linus Mundy and is titled "Keep~life~simple Therapy". Through the years it has provided quiet strength as I try to do what I know to be right. Each "tidbit of wisdom" is numbered with a sweet little illustration by R.W. Alley---I'm going to list all 35 of them just for you.
1. Reduce life to its essence. It is mostly love that matters...and lasts.
2. Reduce love to its essence. It is mostly a knowing and being known. Make the effort, do the work, of getting to know and let your true self be known. You will see the oneness of love and Love.
3. Learn the art of saying "no". When you exclude something, you invariably include something else even more fully.
4. Welcome your role in the drama of creation. Imagine the part you play as a leading role (which it is). But once in a while, keep still and let God speak the parts.
5. Celebrate the ordinary. Your heart knows the comfort and the beauty in common things. Let it tell your head.
6. Don't expect so much from more----and so little from less. Expect a lot from less. You won't be disappointed.
7. It is hard to know when you "have enough". Make the question, "Do I really need more?" part of your life's work.
8. Look to nature for nurture. It is as reliable as the God who provides it.
9. When making choices, opt for the plain, the simple, the functional. Less goes wrong when you stick to life's standard equipment.
10. D0 not pretend to be anything you are not. That way you can always be consistent and truly free.
11. Live in time. Rushing to get one thing over so you can move on to something "more important" is folly.
12. Practice being content. It is both the work and the reward of a lifetime.
13. There is a time for doing---and a time for doing nothing. Don't underestimate the value of porch-sitting and rocking-chairing. They are simple gifts you can give to yourself---and others.
14. Live intentionally. Forget that and your life will be lived for you.
15. Learn to value spiritual things over material things. They last longer, cost less, bring more.
16. Let manual labor, hard work, be a part of your life. You'll be proud of how humble it makes you.
17. Be small and child-like. There is no simpler, better way to see the big picture.
18. Try to eat and live lower on the food and resources chain. You'll be doing a world of good to beings yet unborn.
19. Silence is golden. Seek it and it will quietly enrich your life.
20. Get alone. It is one sure way of getting yourself together.
21. Trust that God supplies you with unlimited good. There is grain left in the field even after the harvest.
22. Remember that the primary reward of hard work is finding meaning and well-being, not money. Forget that and you'll stop being well.
23. Set you desk, your chair, your sink, your sights with a view to the great outdoors. Life is simpler out there.
24. Don't take your life too seriously. Trust in a God who cares for your every need.
25. Don't let work and play be rivals. While each may have a separate place at times, both can also occupy the same space.
26. Know your limits. There is nothing more freeing---or more motivating---than knowing what you can and cannot do well.
27. Learn from life's oldest living things: trees. They impressively break forth with buds and colors--but know innately when it's time to shut down and be unimpressive.
28. Strive to have access to things, not ownership of them. Possess something and it possesses you.
29. Create a ten-second wildflower meadow in your mind whenever you need it. Your imagination can be a great peacemaker in times of chaos.
30. Think small. Planting tiny seeds in the small space given to you can change the whole world---or, at the very least, your view of it.
31. Cultivate the simple virtue of patience. Anticipation is not the only reward for waiting.
32. Don't forget that the longing for simplicity is a spiritual longing. Asking physical things to meet spiritual needs doesn't work.
33. Do only one thing at a time. Putting yourself wholeheartedly into what you are doing---no matter how small or mundane---honors it...and you...and your Creator.
34. Rediscover the joy of a quiet conversation, a simple story or game, an honest expression of affection for another. These simple gifts and pleasures will help keep your life balanced.
35. Know that your true home is in the holy Presence. It's that simple.
Posts
