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?
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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?
So, what kind of gifts do you give? Creative? Meaningful? Special and unique to that person? Made in China?
Over the Christmas season, my sister-in-law (thanks, Jen!) sent a unique gift that definitely warmed our hearts and
The Gift of Adoption
made us curious about a worthy cause. The Defenders of Wildlife organization works for the protection of all wild animals and plant species in their natural communities. For those of you still looking for that special someone on Valentine’s Day, adopting an animal is a great way to give back! And, what a fabulous idea for any birthday!
After receiving this gift, it got me thinking. I really want to be more conscious in my gift-giving efforts. Where do these things come from? How are they made? What cause or population does it support?
So Sweet. So Local.
To get our minds rolling, I want to introduce two more ideas. Although I have not yet done this myself, another wonderful gift idea can be found here. You receive a reusable bag (better for the environment!) AND you get to feed one child for an entire school year! Now that’s a worthy gift!
And, the gift of time. I recently had the opportunity to treat my good friend, Jessica, to a special afternoon at the Lavender Tea House. Shopping and dining locally is another valuable way to not only give gifts, but to support those in your immediate area. The Tea House is also a strong advocate for women in business. They elegantly display and sell various homemade products and foods to help support the surrounding communities. People working together to make a difference. Now that’s something I can put my money into!
“If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.”
~George MacDonald
So, how will you give back in your gift-giving? Who or what will you support? Let me know…..really, I’d love to hear your ideas!
What is the obsession with busyness, speed, and multi-tasking in our lives today? Why does it (in our minds) equate to success and a “job well done”? Now, don’t get me wrong, busy is not always bad. There are seasons and reasons in our lives to be moving faster. Hard work does not come easy, yet I often wonder, “What is it all for?” Really. Why do we do what we do? If you take an honest look and peel back the layers, you may be surprised at what you find. Good or bad.
During my time in Hawaii, I became fascinated by a tiny creature. So small, yet so determined. He would make his way each morning across the vast green covering. Slowly, but steadily, inching his way to the other side. One focus, one task. Doing one thing, and doing it well. Some may see this as strange, but I saw it as an important reminder and relevant metaphor. In the rat race we often call life, I want to sit back in my old age and see that I lived well. I want to know that I enjoyed the smaller moments, and praised the normal and routine parts of every day. I want to know that slow was acceptable and that beauty really could be found here. To study the lines and curves of creation (as the snail had to do to make its way through the tall blades of grass), I want to know I made time to do this. I want to see, really see. Yet, if speed and hurry run my days, I will miss the real gems and reasons for life.
Personally, I struggle deeply with worry and anxiety. My mind regularly slips into the future and wonders how things will all work out. I catch myself running into a black hole, where I lose sight of what is right in front of me. I forget God and try to convince myself that I control my life. I fool myself into thinking that I am so much bigger than I actually am. Recently, I read a book called, The Way of the Small, by Michael Gellert. While I have always been perplexed and awed by the grandness of space and infinite number of stars, Gellert helped remind me to keep things in perspective. In the scope of it all, we are but a tiny speck. Earth is a dot, sustained by the hands of God. Have you ever considered how truly amazing this is? Our lives are precious, and how we live them, matters. Yet, addiction to speed and anxiety are thieves of our modern time. They pull blinders over our eyes and convince us of their necessities. They rob us, every day.
“My Chinese side wonders why Americans are so uneasy with time on their hands and must busy themselves with activities, the sweatier the better. Why do they keep changing their minds and ways, jobs and towns and spouses?….Americans are a self-selected breed programmed by their genes to be forever on the go and cursed by the Fates never to enjoy luxuriating in the material comforts and spiritual splendors of home. Is it any wonder then that they are always asking themselves who they are? They just don’t stay put or reflect long enough to find out.”
~Bette Bao Lord
So, become aware of your time and how you use it. Can you justify the hurry in your life today? What if you focused this energy elsewhere? How would your daily perspective and life change?
