{Way Better than the Mall}

Wow! I can’t believe my last posting was October 31^st!  Where did the time go?

Actually, as I read over my previous words, I realize that one of the things I needed to drop for a bit was my blog writing.  I was heading into the last weeks of my first semester at seminary, and between final papers and exams, my focus was elsewhere.  Part of learning to live with simplicity is understanding what areas can and should be shed to lessen the load.  It is a constant reassessment of priorities as the demands of life change.

Over the Christmas season, I was blessed to spend the month in Hawaii, visiting with my parents (who currently live on Oahu).  It was an amazing time of reflection and relaxation; something I desperately needed desired after a long and challenging school semester.  I can’t fully explain it, but there is just something about the Hawaiian culture that makes my soul sing.  The fiery sun.  The soft sand.  The magnificent blue skies.  Yes, it truly is a magical place.  It’s almost as if God shines His smile on this tiny piece of the world year-round and for a moment, we glean a sliver of heaven.

Most of my visit consisted of trips to the beach, although a visit to Oahu isn’t complete without spending at least a day in Honolulu and Waikiki.  Personally, the crowds and tall buildings bring me more anxiety than they do pleasure, but nevertheless, it’s always a memorable experience.

One afternoon, we ventured into a shopping mall to check out dresses for my mom to wear for my sister’s upcoming wedding.  Honestly, it was my first time visiting some of the brand name stores, and I almost fell over from price tag shock!  A tank top, for $432?  Really??  And, that was the sale price!  Store after store, the outrageous prices continued to flash before my eyes.  I could feel my stomach knotting up, knowing that some people easily justify these types of purchases.  And, while I’m not one to judge, I can’t comprehend the mind that sees this as okay.  I have a hard enough time spending $30 on a top.

“It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.”   ~Thoreau

Priceless.

Shortly after the reminder that the gap between me and upper class society is larger than the Grand Canyon, we headed outside to spend the rest of the evening doing something I could afford.  Watching the Sunset.  As the colors of the sky began to twist in color and magnify in intensity, I began to feel myself melting into my chair.  I couldn’t help but exclaim to my parents, “This is way better than the mall!”  For me, this is where simplicity speaks loudly.  I found so much joy from this wondrous site.  No piece of clothing or material thing could ever compare or replace the splendor of creation.  And the best part:  it’s free, for all to enjoy!

“Let us treasure up in our soul some of those things which are permanent….not of those which will forsake us and be destroyed, and which only tickle our senses for a little while…”   ~Gregory of Nazianzus

I look forward to posting more in the weeks to come as I continue to experience and learn about the many benefits of a simple heart.  As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

What parts of your life are stolen or diminished by the endless pursuit of material (temporal) things?