{The Beginning}

It all started in October of 2007. My husband and I were preparing dinner in our kitchen (yes, I am blessed to have a hubby that cooks!) when I heard a sweet, soft whisper – “Finding Simplicity”. What was that? What did you say? Again, the voice quietly repeated itself, “Finding Simplicity”. Oh my goodness, that’s it!

Over the next several months I began dreaming up my home-based (future, kid-friendly) business. The name alone spoke volumes and began to lead me on a journey of discovery and renewal. I felt alive and awake! For once in my life, I had a clear, directed, passionate vision. It was hard to contain my excitement!

On January 11th, 2008, I left my position with a fabulous company called Building Champions. Honestly, it was a leap of faith, but a necessary decision. I needed to get out of my comfort zone. I needed to explore and create. I needed to find me. I just simply, needed to BE me.

Over the coming months, as I feverishly dove into the magical world of Simplicity, I began to believe that a precious key had been dropped in my hands. It was a key that unlocked so many darkened areas of a sometimes mundane life. And to my excitement, many people were already living in its beautiful, stately (light-filled) presence! I had to learn more. I began reading everything I could get my hands on that related to simple living. Any notions that I had about moving to the woods and growing our own food slowly melted away. Today, although it is still an attractive thought, I now understand that simplicity can be lived out in the middle of the busiest, most chaotic city in the world. While living more simply does require some physical change (material detachment), the change that happens most, is within. A sort of transformation of the heart.

So, I invite you to join me as I journey down this road of living with simplicity. My dream is to convey and share personal insights and findings to those that desire a new, inspiring way of living. Areas that I currently see significant to a life of simplicity include: spirituality, organization, conscious and eco-friendly living, environmentalism, consumerism, relationships, community, imagination, joy, traditions, hobbies, and time. I also feel strongly pulled to writing and the colorful words and phrases that come through it. As an avid reader who relishes cozying up to a good book while sipping a steamy cup of pepperment tea, my prayer and desire is that my writings through this blog will help find that voice that moves and inspires the soul. Your soul.  At this point in my life, I am pursuing a masters in Spiritual Formation from George Fox University and hope to have more clarity as to how I can bring this powerful lifestyle into family living. 

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter . . . to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”

~John Burroughs~

How would you define simple living?