April – September = 6-month Blogging Sabbatical.  :-}

Ge’ez, where has the time gone!  I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last post!  Spring semester ended, summer came, and summer went.  As we circle back into the fall season, I feel excited about the change in the air.  Living in the Pacific NW, we are fortunate in that we get to experience distinct seasonal cycles.  And while I appreciate other parts of the year, this is particularly my favorite.

My husband turned 30 on Tuesday.  In our culture, the big 3-0 is a big scary deal (for most).  Yet, we’ve discovered and found joy in the fact that each passing year only gets better.  We don’t mourn that our 20’s are gone with the wind, but instead celebrate all the highs & lows.  It was a fabulous decade, filled with memories that will last a lifetime.

Kissed by the Sun

So, what did we do?  Living in Oregon, we are surrounded by endless outdoor options.  Yet, it was obvious that Tuesday’s celebration called for a day of relaxing and reflecting on the beautiful, picturesque coast.  Plus, the weather forecast called for 80’s and sunshine!  WOW — can’t get much better than that!

So, we packed up a picnic lunch and headed west, throwing all “to do’s” out the window.  As we found a prime beach location and hunkered down for the afternoon, I felt a flood of emotions.  Truthfully, it was a day ordered straight from the hands of God.  The sunshine, scenery, light breeze, and soft sand cradled us like newborn babies.  We were in awe over creation!  No words can fully define all that we took in.

Bathing in Creation

As I continue to study and live into simplicity, I’m discovering a new sense of freedom.  Few people shared the ocean with us that day.  Yet, all that were there felt something special.  It was  a day where time just seemed to stand still.  Everything and everyone slowed down.  For an afternoon, we all became children.  Basking in the glorious rays, digging our toes into the silky earth, living in the given moment.  A gift and a day locked into memory.

“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.”

~Helen Keller

Simplicity, as some see it, is not about self-deprivation.  It’s actually quite the opposite.  As we choose less, we truly gain more.  Not more in the sense of material possession.  But more in the luxury of joy and real living.  Our values change and we begin to embrace something better.  Our eyes, the windows to our soul, gain new sight.  We are invited to bathe in nature and take in what we so often miss.  Our day on the ocean helped validate that simplicity and celebration go hand in hand.  Every day, every hour, and every minute of our lives count.  Yet, the rushing and busyness of our present day robs us of this pleasure.

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.  It will never fail you.”

~Frank Lloyd Wright

How will today be etched into your memory?

Mark your calendars!  This Saturday, March 28th at 8:30pm local time is Earth Hour.  Will you join us?  

…….

Simply Stunning.

Over the past several months, my heart has been breaking.  As I was driving along the beautiful roads of Oregon, I witnessed a massive evergreen tree falling from the sky.  As it crashed to the ground, its pristine, thick needles crumbled into pieces.  Something that was so bold and breath-taking; gone in a matter of seconds.  As I studied the scene, I realized that a massive chain saw had been brutally hacking at its thick trunk.  When the tree and dust cleared, what was left behind made my stomach turn in circles.  A gaudy, over-sized sign:

“STORAGE – COMING SOON!  Reserve your space today!”

Your space.  Who’s space?  Truthfully, it made me sick.  Was this necessary?  Another storage unit?  Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed these things going up faster than we blink our eyes.

As much as I’ve tried to forget the scene, the image of the tree falling has stayed with me.  As I reflect a bit on this happening, I start to wonder why.  Who are we to do this to nature?  What kind of “stuff” qualifies for this type of destruction?  Is it a valuable use of space or just another way for us to mark our territory?

Now, I understand that some storage units are necessary.  Moving, living overseas, family crisis, and death of a loved one all constitute use of extra space.  Yet, in our current situation of economic decline, why are storage units rising faster than the sun?  My best guess is that people are stuck.  And when they are stuck, unable to move to larger living, the reality sinks in.  Where do we put all this stuff?  How can we survive with so little space?  I wonder if the inventor of storage units ever rented one of his own?

So, take a moment to think about this.  In no way do I mean to offend or judge.  Yet, doesn’t it seem silly?  The majority of people that I worked with in organizing openly admitted that they had no idea what was in their storage unit.  And yet, they continued to pay the inflated price each and every month without question.  Really?

Reconnect to Nature.

The thing is, when we rent a storage unit, we endorse it.  And when we pay the monthly bill for someone else to store our stuff, we vote with our money, recognizing them for offering a “worthy” service.  These places would not be in business if it weren’t for our over consumptive society.  Most of the time, the stuff that is stored is just that.  Stuff.  It sits, collecting dust.  Slowly purged, but mostly, added to.  Forgotten with time.  Sometimes, the stuff even gets moved to a larger unit because the smaller one started to burst at the seams!

As I continue to study simplicity, I realize that consciousness is part of the process.  Noticing, seeing, and communicating the things that just don’t feel right inside.  For me, this is one of them.  If this has hit a sore point for you or ruffled some feathers, maybe it’s time to reconsider how you look at the things around your life.  Re-evaluate the layers behind the reasoning.  Why is it important that you keep the stuff?  How will you stop bringing the stuff into your life and home?  If extra space is truly necessary at this point in your life, can you work something out with a friend or family member?  Might they have room for you to store your things, temporary?  Personally, I would much rather give my money to a loved one than encourage a business I don’t support.  Taking time to shed this from your life will bring freedom, as well as money saved.

How will you let go of the excess in your life?  If you currently rent a storage unit, how and when can you hand back the keys?

Simplicity has reignited my passion for imagination and creativity.  Why do so many of us lose this as we step into adulthood?  As I seek to look at places, people, and things with fresh eyes, I’m discovering a bright, new world!  I’m excited. 

Just for fun, here are two simple ways that I recently created use out of something that would normally be placed in the recycling bin.

Black Bean Can = Scissor Container, Salsa Jar = Cotton Ball Holder

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.”

~Henry David Thoteau

In what areas of life are you most creative?  How have you reused and repurposed items that were destined for the trash and recycling bins?

How much of life do we exchange for each other? 

As I become more aware of the simplicity that is sprinkled throughout our lives, I’m beginning to see patterns and themes each week.  I try to be aware of similar happenings and thoughts, which is how I often piece together my writing topics.

Lately, I’ve been feeling extremely overwhelmed and encouraged by the amazing community of friends around me.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend a night with seven amazing women at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.   One of our dear friends, Anna, brought us together to help celebrate her six year wedding anniversary and to talk about the love that we’ve experienced in our own lives.  How memorable!

While I was reminded about the importance of friendships and love, I was also encouraged by the sharing and exchanges that took place.  Anna had a wonderful idea of turning the “white elephant” game into an eco-friendly gift giving event.  She has recently begun taking steps to simplify her home and the materials in her life, and as a result, found several items that she wanted to share with us.  So, we each went around the circle and picked a bag from the table.  We were given the chance to open it and decide if it was something we liked or needed.  It was also important that Anna let us know that it was perfectly fine if we saw nothing we wanted to bring home.  I ended up with a beautiful bright green candle dish, which found a home in one of our bathrooms that was thirsty for color.  And the best part; it was free!

Another excellent idea that Anna included in her invitation was a clothes exchange.  Often referred to as a “Naked Ladies Party” , we were asked to bring any items that we no longer liked or fit into.  And, although I had recently been part of a summer garage sale, I was surprised to find myself easily taking things from my closet and tossing them into the giveaway bag.  After the exchange, I felt like I walked away with a brand new wardrobe!  One of the girls even works at Nike, so in a tiny way, I felt as if I won the lottery by finding several new workout pants and shirts.  Ladies, if you have never done this with your girlfriends, this is a must, annual event!  Clothes, shoes, meals, books, furniture, household items, music lessons, babysitting.  The options are vast!

In the world of exchange, another valuable option is trading of services.  As I look around, I see many talents and passions that people in our life encompass.  For instance, Heather, one of the sweet girls in our church community group, is an incredible hair stylist.  Recently, I asked if she would be open and willing to exchange a trim for an organizing session.  Honestly, I felt a bit nervous to pose such a question, but her quick response only helped encourage my newfound spirit of community exchange.  And, after conversations with her, I realize that so many of us are afraid to ask for the help that we need.  As a result of our talking, we ended up discovering another exchange!  A vacation townhome for babysitting!  Marvelous! 

While I understand that many people today do not have the time or energy to exchange talents, I do know that this type of giving and taking will cause a ripple effect of positive change and needs awareness.  Can you imagine a neighborhood of strangers coming together for this type of exchange?  Think of the support, understanding, and compassion that might come through such agreements.  Not to mention, money saved!

This type of mindset is eco-friendly and solicitous.  The communication needs to be open and authentic however, as to not take advantage of another person’s heart to give.  Honestly, I truthfully believe that God intended for us to live in this way.

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

~Henry David Thoreau          

How have you recently practiced the gift of exchange in your life?  What passions and talents might you offer to those around you?