I love flying.  Something happens when I step into an airplane.  My heart beats faster and my palms grow clammy as I anticipate the journey and destination.  Buckling myself in tightly, I sit back in wonder over the invention of flight.  It’s fascinating and truly amazing that we can move around the world so quickly and for the most part, comfortably.

Gorgeous!

As the roar of the engine builds up and the intensity of speed increases, I relax.  The window seat is my favorite.  As we climb higher, lifting above the pearly, white clouds, my spirit is welcomed.  Souring high and fast at 35,000 feet, I gain perspective as I am forced to slow down.  All my worries, fears, and anxieties slip away with the jet stream.   On a clear day, I see the tiny world below.  Cities turn into anthills, while the magnificent tapestry of the layered landscape jumps into focus.  From this view, my problems grow small.  Again, I am reminded of my size in this world.  I am but a tiny star in the galaxies of creation.

“You haven’t seen a tree until you’ve seen its shadow from the sky.”

~ Amelia Earhart

I sense that I’m not the only one that enjoys flying.  People around me, from all walks of life, seem to let their shoulders down when they rise above the ground.  As we are forced to unplug from everydayness, many envelop this space as a gift.  Some catch up on much needed sleep, while others dive into the passionate world of words.  Reading and writing (real writing) takes place.  Dreams and ideas take flight.  For a tiny while, we experience what it’s like to just “be.”

“The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious.  And why shouldn’t it be?  – it is the same the angels breathe.

~Mark Twain, “Roughing It”

Last week I flew to Tennessee.  Along the way, I met a beautiful and eclectic group of strangers; each with a story and each with a different destination.  Yet, for a few hours, we shared life together; through conversation and through quiet time.  Through smiles and tears, we shared a child’s first experience of flight.  We witnessed a mother caring for her newborn, who undoubtedly rested in a deep seeded peace, knowing all would be well.

Playing in the Clouds

On my return flight, I met a man.  For a short while, we shared deep, wonder-filled conversation.  We cut through the small talk and wrestled with the real, authentic, “unknowing” parts of life.  We talked about God, the Bible, family, chemo therapy, building prisons (his occupation), and making eye contact with some of the worst of the worst in modern humanity.  The conversation was real.  Challenging, yet fulfilling.  The strange part about strangers is that they’re not so strange after all.  Yet, our modern times have hurried our pace, leaving us little room to interact with those in front of us, all the time, every day.  Our conversation that day was a blessing to my life.  Our words will remain with me for some time.

Flying reminds me that I don’t have all things figured out, and that that’s perfectly alright.  It teaches me to rise above, to see everything from a new view, in order to gain perspective and clarity.  It inspires me to keep going, to keep looking, and to keep curious.  It asks me to just live, and to live well.

“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

~ Leonardo Da Vinci

I love flying.  How about you?

I had a vision the other day.  I was standing in the eye of an intense storm.  All around me, swirling faster and faster, were things representing my life today.  God, school, church, work, responsibilities, hobbies, and relationship commitments.  And, although everything was twisting around me rapidly, I realized I was planted firmly in the middle of it all.  With this realization, I was reminded that I chose many of these things and at any time, I had the ability to drop them.  When this happened, the spinning began to illustrate a slow motion clip from the movies.  As this took place, I started to see each object more clearly, completely defined.  My sight and focus came back.  God most definitely showed up to reveal something important.  He was offering me the gift of being present.  It was imperative that I see these things and know the choices behind the chaos.

How will you step into this season?

For the past several weeks, I’ve been noticing the pace of life picking up rapidly.  One of my favorite things to do is people watch.  I often wonder where everyone is going and what they are doing.  As always, the speed of life is fast, especially as we approach the holiday season.  Our ability to stay present, mindful, and in the moment is tested to its breaking limit.

As we enter into November and December, I’m beginning to sense the tyranny of the urgent in many lives.  Thanksgiving and Christmas become one more thing on the “to do” list.  Between turkey roasting and present searching, it’s all too much for some.  Whatever happened to the spirit of the holidays?  Where have the hearts of gratitude and joy gone?  How did this time of year become something that so many people despise or dread?  When did it become a time of selfishness and hostility?

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Working at the YMCA, I’m experiencing a bit of the holiday, economic, and political frenzy.  It’s almost as if the attitudes of some individuals switched sourly with this season.  Honestly, some people are just plain rude, aggressive, and mean.  Taking their frustrations and negative energy out on a complete stranger seems to be a strategy they are willing to expel.  In fact, anyone working in the service industry can attest to this right now.

So, who will you choose to be this season?  What attitude will you manifest?  If last year didn’t go so smoothly, what things will you change this time around?  How will you bring your spirit back into the Spirit of this sparkling, magical season?  Maybe going out for dinner is an option, instead of the traditional (often stressful) home cooked meal?  Maybe the gift of your time and presence could replace the material things you wrapped so meticulously last year?  Whatever it may be, our ability to step back and clearly see each day, one moment, is a gift.  Will you openly receive it?

“For many of us, sadly, the spirit of Christmas is “hurry”.  And yet, eventually, the hour comes when the rushing ends and the race against the calendar mercifully comes to a close.  It is only now perhaps that we truly recongnize the spirit of Christmas.  It is not a matter of days or weeks, but of centuries – nearly twenty of them now since that holy night in Bethlehem.  Regarded in this manner, the pre-Christmas rush may do us greater service than we realize.  With all its temporal confusion, it may just help us to see that by contrast, Christmas itself is eternal.”

~Burton Hills

How will you be present to those around you this holiday season?  What practices or disciplines will you adopt to invite the Spirit back into your heart and home?

What is authenticity?  Realism, Honesty, Truth, Genuineness.  We all want to live openly, yet how many of us truly do?  We walk around saying, “I’m fine, just fine” when in fact our lives may be falling to pieces.  What happened to our world?  Why is it easier for us to mask our truths than to actually express how we really feel?  I would equate much of this to the busyness we have created and invited into our lives.  For many, time is as valuable as money.  The gift of listening is slipping away as the pace of living gets faster.  Personally, I feel that our current situation and crisis of economy is a blessing.  It is forcing many to reevaluate their true priorities and spending habits.  Unfortunately, many individuals and families are getting hurt along the way.

Lately, my life has become incredibly busy and chaotic.  I love to write, and yet I have no time to write.  I love to read, and yet all of my energy for reading goes to my homework.  I should be excited for school, yet I feel exhausted, stressed, overwhelmed, and frustrated.  My ability to focus and become centered is missing.  I have said “yes” to a lot, and neglected giving my best to my bests.  My sweet, beautiful husband has suffered from my current state of stress, and yet continues to support each part of my day.  When we visit with friends, only half of our current realty comes into conversation.  For the most part, it’s just too scary to admit how truly broken our past week has been.  It makes me wonder how many secrets are behind each wall and house we so easily pass on our leisurely walks.  So much of our true self is hidden in the commotion, distraction, and reactions to daily life and struggles.  While an organized home and a smile reflect a calm and controlled surface, my mind and heart are clumsy and fiercely spinning.  Too often, we silently carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.  We refuse to let anyone in.

Prior to starting classes, I had a conversation with one of my professors.  He said that my life would need to become chaotic and unpredictable for my spirit to grow and be stretched.  At the time, I couldn’t understand the truth and necessity behind his words.  Yet, in less than a month into seminary, I’ve been flipped upside down.  And honestly, the one way that I’m steadly stepping through this is by being completely authentic in my most precious relationships.  I have to admit when I’m tired and need rest.  I have to be willing to talk about my fear and insecurities.  I have to be willing to ask others for help.  I have to be bold in asking for guidance.  I have to listen and be listened to.  I have to love and allow others to love me back.

Today, as I was preparing to step into work and study, I experienced an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion.  In a minute of reflection, I was reminded that God answers many of the negative things we say throughout the day:

“I’m so tired”:  “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“I’m not able”:  “I am able” (II Corinth 9:8)

“I can’t forgive myself”:  “I  FORGIVE you” (John 1:9 and Romans 8:1)

“I’m always worried and frustrated”:  “Cast all your cares on ME” (I Peter 5:7)

“I’m not smart enough”:  “I give you wisdom” (I Corinth 1:30)

“I’m afraid”:  “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (II Timothy 1:7)

When I turned my attention to Him, the darkness in my heart became light.  It’s important for us to be authentic with each other and to show genuine compassion, but it’s even more important for us to be authentic in our walk with Christ.  Ask Him to direct your steps.  Invite Him to sustain you and give you courage.  I understand that many people are struggling today and feeling incredibly weak.  If this is you, I hope these words from Josh Groban lift you up and encourage you to open up and reveal your brokenness to family and friends.  I invite you to be bold and bring authenticity into your words, actions, and prayers.

Have you been wearing a mask with family and friends?  How will you invite authenticity into your life this week?

I recently started work on a masters degree in Spiritual Formation from George Fox Seminary.  And while it has only been five years since I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I have to honestly say I experienced a bit of syllabus shock during the first week.  We have to read how many chapters?  And, oh that paper only has to be 14 pages long.  No problem!  Now that I’ve had a few weeks to adjust and get organized, I’m feeling more calm and focused for each new task ahead.  For the most part, I feel extremely excited and blessed to be learning what I am learning.  Between Old Testament I, Women in Church History, Spirituality and the Mystics, Knowing Self, Knowing God, and Spiritual Direction Experience, I have 8.5 credits!  Needless to say, I’m busy.  However, while I feel like I have no free time right now, I can’t think of a better way to spend my time.  At the core of my studies, I am learning about God and growing in my personal relationship with Him.  I have already been challenged in a variety of ways and look forward to the amazing new community that is surrounding me.  Yahoo for school! 

One of the benefits of my intensified schedule is the fact that I’ve had no time for television.  I can directly relate this to Finding Simplicity because in the past, I have often caught myself sitting on the couch, mindlessly flipping through channels.  Or, you know this frame of thinking.  “I’m only going to sit down for this one show, just a 1/2 hour.”  And, three hours later.  Well, I don’t need to explain.  Without television, I am finding a whole new realm of energy.  I tried to sit down last night to watch one of my favorites shows on HGTV (a network I could never fully give up!) and I found myself distracted with other things.  I wanted to read for relaxation or create a card for someone I was thinking about.  Lately, television for me has not felt like a good way to spend my extra time.  More than ever, I feel how wasteful and distracting it can be to our lives.  It steals our time and feeds into unhealthy addictions.  And yet, how many households across America allow their children and families to be numbed and temporary fascinated by its persuasion?  How would our culture be different if people used this precious time to learn about the One who gave us our watchful eyes?  I definitely see this pattern changing in our own home over the course of this new school semester. 

“Television has changed a child from an irresistible force to an immovable object.”

~ Author Unknown

One of my dear friends (thanks Trudi!) recently shared a powerful and moving song with me that encompasses some of what I’ve been feeling as a result of my new chosen study and reflection on time.  It reminds me of the one who created us from the beginning and who sustains us to the end.  If we don’t take time to learn and grow in our faith (away from the t.v.), what do we really know of holy?  How can we truly appreciate and acknowledge all of the blessings and joys of this life?  How can we face the tragedies and see a tiny glimpse of significance and hope in the pain?  Things of this world don’t always make sense to us, but we have a God who loves us beyond measure and wants to fill the void and emptiness we might often feel inside.  Take a few minutes to listen to this song and see if it moves you the way it has moved me.     

“Television hangs on the questionable theory that whatever happens anywhere should be sensed everywhere.  If everyone is going to be able to see everything, in the long run all sights may lose whatever rarity value they once possessed, and it may well turn out that people, being able to see and hear practically everything, will be specially interested in almost nothing.”

~ E.B. White

How will you use your “free time” this week?  What relationships or activities can you turn the volume up for?

Metaphors serve as some of the greatest insights to our world.  They are all around us, every day.  Do you notice?  What do you see?  How deep do you let them take you?

The other day, I was extremely tired and feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I said a quick prayer before closing my eyes for an afternoon nap.  Twenty minutes later, after a refreshing time of just being still, I awoke to this beautiful sunset.  The trees were neatly lined, covered by a soft, yet brilliantly colored silhouette.  Immediately, my mind focused on the similarity of what I saw and what I had just prayed minutes earlier.  Without a doubt, I was focused on the heartbeat of nature.  It looked so incredibly similar to a human heart on a hospital monitor.  For me, it was a reminder that God’s lifeline is all around us and that He hasn’t forgotten or abandoned His beautiful creation.  That He is so much closer than we know. 

As I was thinking more about this, I had another metaphor profoundly present itself.  To explain, I have to go back in time.  Our cat, Chewbacca, is one of the most loving cats you will ever meet.  He has truly been a joy for our family and has created a lot of laughter in our home through his clumsy ways.  As a kitten, Jeremy and I showered him with toys.  Stuffed animals, catnip, sparkly balls, fancy ribbon, bubbles, and bells.  We even purchased a large cat condo to lessen some of the boredom indoor cats can often protrude.  And, for a while, each new toy seemed to catch and hold his attention….for a while.  After a few days, that new toy didn’t seem so interesting any more.  Sooner rather than later, it ended up in the pile with all the other forgotten “new” toys.  A few weeks after he came into our lives, I witnessed something pretty incredible.  As I was opening a new bottle of milk, I tore off the ring around the cap.  Chewy immediately ran to my feet and began meowing (more like squeaking) at my feet.  He intently looked at me with his big green eyes, almost as if to say “Now you’re talking!  Throw that thing, let me at it!”.  So, without thinking much about it, I tossed it over the couch.  As I was pouring some cereal, I saw Chewbacca coming back out of the corner of my eye.  He had actually found the ring and brought it back to my feet.  Was I dreaming?  Did my cat just fetch?  I had never heard of such a thing!  Just to be sure, I threw the ring again, but in the opposite direction.  And, sure enough, he was off and racing to retrieve that little plastic milk ring.  A ring that was normally just tossed in the trash and cost us nothing outside of a regular grocery item.  How fantastic!  To this day, Chewy continues to play fetch.  If we let him, he’d go on for hours! 

So, as I’ve been focused on some of the metaphors swirling around my life, I realized this game of fetch revealed something extremely significant to our modern times.  As I’ve mentioned before, Jeremy and I do not have any (real) children yet.  However, I have noticed a particularly common pattern among families and parents today.  How many people shower their young children with the latest and greatest toy, hoping to dazzle their interest for an extended period of time?  And with that new toy, how much personal interaction is truly spent with that child?  Do you ever wonder why children have a shorter attention span today?  One of my best guesses is that they are lacking one on one time with mom or dad.  Time, which costs nothing outside of the lasting memory being created.  The fanciest, most expensive toy can never be a replacement for the relationships we share in life.

I could even go a step further and say that God revealed Himself in this metaphor.  With all the sparkling distractions that we allow into our daily living, God often gets pushed out of the picture.  The only thing He longs for and cries for, is our time and attention.  As the Father of this magnificent creation, He begs for us to throw a milk ring!  Will you play?

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”

~Galileo Galilei

What metaphors have you noticed around your life?  How have they helped open your eyes to some necessary truths? 

Over the past several weeks, my heart has been growing for a particular sector of the population.  They are people just like me and you.  The only difference is that many of them live on the same streets we often take our leisurely strolls down, while window shopping and star gazing over all the things we would love to possess. 

When was the last time you noticed a homeless person?  How did you feel?  What did you do?  For a moment, did you feel disgusted?  Intimidated?  Guilty?  Empathetic?

All too often (I’m guilty of this), I notice how easily we walk by these people, while avoiding eye contact.  Even as they beg and plea for money, we push them aside, carrying hurriedly along to our destination.  I mean, why don’t they get a job like every other normal person?  If I give them anything, isn’t that just enabling their current existence?  Through these thoughts and many more, we are subconsciously equating these individuals to be of a lower value.  They are forgotten and trampled over by the affluent.  Many of us are too busy to notice and too busy to care.  After all, isn’t it their choice to be in that position in the first place?

As I seek to live more simply, I am reminded that I am voluntarily choosing to live with less.  And as I release my attachment to things, I am beginning to notice new and amazing things swirling all around me.  God is alive in so many ways, and I am absolutely certain He is standing next to the same people we pass on the street.  He hasn’t forgotten them or given up on their potential to touch and influence the world.  If we would just look close enough, these very same people have the ability to snap us out of autopilot and our worldly obsessions.  After all, while they are poor in money, many of them are eternally rich in spirit.  Whose shoes would you rather fill?

Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.

~Mother Teresa

A few weeks ago, when Jeremy and I were in Vancouver, B.C., we were approached by a homeless man.  It was the first time that either of us stopped to listen.  Through missing and broken teeth, he explained that he was native to Australia and that most of his family was still there.  He also assured us that he was not a bum (by pointing out his soiled sports jersey) and that he was trying to make his way back home.  After listening to his story, we did not offer him money or anything of “value”.  Instead, we asked if we could pray for his situation.  For a moment, he rolled his eyes and grimaced, but then showed a tiny sparkle of a tear.  It may have been over frustration, but I’d like to believe that for one moment, he felt cared for and noticed.  Shortly after our offer, he walked away and began approaching other people on the street.  As Jeremy and I walked back to our lavishly decorated, high rise hotel, we couldn’t help but feel for this man.  He touched our hearts and made a lasting impression on us.  I can only hope that we did the same. 

The other day, Jeremy and I discovered a powerful minimum wage documentary by Morgan Spurlock.  If you have some time, this is definitely worth watching.  It just may challenge and change some of your thinking and ideas about many individuals and families just trying to survive this life.

My hope is that this resonates with some of you.  Next time you pass someone living on the street, take time to notice.  If you can’t bring yourself to make eye contact, just walk by, consciously knowing they are present.  After all, God has not forgotten them, and neither should we.  Our lives are no more than a vapor, and our suffering short thanks to God’s mighty ability and grace to save. 

“I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper’s wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?”

~Mother Teresa

How are you a light to the world?  In what ways have you shown compassion for those less fortunate? 

We made it to Whistler!

Jeremy and I had the opportunity to take some time off and travel into British Columbia this past week for our four year wedding anniversary.  We stayed in Whistler our first night, and then ventured into Vancouver to experience a bit of Canada’s city life.

During our eight hour trip, there were several things that happened that made us question our decision to head north.  The sky was blanketing the roadway in a brilliant blue, as the majestic mountains stood firm in the distance.  In reaction to the gorgeous scenery, I quickly grabbed the camara out of my purse to capture the sight.  To my dismay, I discovered that the lens was stuck, making a unwelcoming clicking sound.  After some struggle and frustration, we realized that sand must have blown into the opening during my girls weekend on the coast.  At the time, I felt incredibly guilty and sad that we were facing the possibility of crossing into Canada without any way to document our journey on the road.  The situation definitely turned our car atmosphere sour for the next hour.  Fortunately, we were able to find a Walmart, which carried a decent camera replacement. 

Once we were back on the road, our spirits began to lighten up again.  The sky seemed a bit brighter as we grew closer to entering a country we were so eager to explore.  As I turned around to get a snack from the back seat, Jeremy suddenly slammed on the brakes, making my seat belt lock firmly against my neck.  Apparently, the driver in the lane to our right, swerved heavily over the line, nearly colliding with our front side.  According to Jeremy, he missed us by inches.  Whew, that could have been disastrous.  And honestly, I don’t think the other driver even had a clue! 

After much anticipation, we finally crossed over the border.  We soon realized (pardon the cliche) that we weren’t in Kansas anymore.  The roadways quickly became narrow and fast as they encompassed a European resemblance.  With 30 minutes into Canada, we came to rest at a stoplight.  As we patiently watched for the green light, the driver behind us decided that she could no longer wait to enter the left turn lane.  As she clumsily turned the wheel, she must have stepped on the accelerator a bit too fast.  Bam, bam!  Jeremy and I looked at each in disbelief.  Did she just hit us?  Oh my goodness, YES, and she’s not stopping!  Truthfully, we had no idea what to do.  For a moment, Jeremy switched the flashers on and was preparing to pull off to the side, but we soon realized that we had just experienced a hit and run. 

After some discussion, we decided not to report the incident.  It may not have been the right decision, however we were so incredibly ready to just make it to our destination.  

Finally, after a very long day and nearly eight hours of driving, we finally pulled into our hotel in Whistler.  We barely even noticed the beauty around us, as we felt extremely exhausted and annoyed.  Why did we decide to go on this trip anyway?

The next few days were filled with more ups than downs.  After all, we did come to celebrate our marriage.  And honestly, once the dust had settled from our minds and hearts, our eyes were opened to the beauty that is British Columbia.  It is definitely a gem and a must see in North America!  The mountains, the trees, the rivers, and waterfalls.  It was God clearly manifesting Himself in so many ways.

“A journey is like marriage.  The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.”

~John Steinbeck   

As I look back on this trip, I can openly say that we learned a lot.  It was a week full of frustration, anger, and amazing joy.  Hmm, sounds a lot like marriage.    I can’t say that we honestly enjoyed the journey, however seeing something new and being open to learning from it is always worth while.  We ended our week with a visit to some dear friends who now live in Seattle.  After finishing up some of the most amazing salmon we have ever tasted, we headed down for a personal look on the shores of the Puget Sound.  God had created a beautiful sunset just for us to enjoy, which validated the fact that He had us in sight all along.  It was a sound reminder that control over this world is not for us to hold.

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what  we imagine of it.”

                                ~Cesare Pavese

What trips have you recently taken?  What kind of emotions and lessons did you experience and learn along the way?

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?