Lately I've been inspired by simplicity. Maybe it has to do with the book that I just finished reading about a woman who went through WWII...or maybe I've always been the kind of girl that gravitates back to simpler times. When I read stories about people who have gone through really tough times...times of famine and oppression...or times of extreme poverty and meager, simple surroundings...there's something in me that wishes I had gone through something like that, too. Does anybody else feel like that? I wonder what my survival instincts would have been like...and how I would have faced each day.
In high school I had to write a research paper on any topic of my choice. I chose to write about the Amish people because of their simple approach to life. And while I don't agree with all that the Amish believe....I think that they, and groups like them might share a secret that America at large has yet to discover:
*Make use of what you have (re-purpose, restore, refurbish, use up)
*Take care of what you do have (family, house, yard, belongings)
*Grow something on your own
*Enjoy people & relationships...instead of always needing to be "entertained"
*Enjoy the simple things in life
I think I'm happiest when life is simple and I'm enjoying even the most basic things: sunshine, flowers, smiles, hugs, seeing things grow and delicious food. Does anybody feel like life is too hectic these days? I know I do. My life is so cluttered by things and junk mail and just plain busy-ness! I relish in the days where I have absolutely nothing to do but wash the laundry, clean the house, cook dinner, and spend time with the people I love.
Today was one of those days. Matthew had already gone to the office by the time I woke up, so I had the entire day to myself to do whatever I needed (or wanted) to do. So I washed the laundry...made the bed...straightened the house...cleaned the kitchen...enjoyed the sunshine on my patio...and breathed in the fresh, warm air. Ahhh....delightful.
I also managed to fix a delicious lunch for me & baby. In the spirit of wanting to use up things I had on hand, I fixed some cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat bread and re-heated some yummy vegetable soup I had made the night before using home-made chicken broth I saved & froze from when I had cooked a whole chicken.
Mmmm...mmm. Me & baby were both happy. :)
3 comments:
Those cucumber sandwhiches look good. Did you make some for me?
-Matthew
I too seem to always be about the quest for a simplier way of life. To live in a way that focuses on what really matters- God and how He wants to enable us for His glory, people and how investing in them always brings great joy, and the beauty around us as a gift from our great Creator God. I believe that many of us yearn for this simple life because the busy and distracted nature of life gets in the way of a real relationship with God. Gail, I love to see the fulfillment you get from caring for your family and home. Doesn't get any better, does it? Love you.....
Those look delicious.
I stopped by from Layla's blog after reading your comment. I hope you don't mind if I offer some ideas. Don't worry about it being a rental and not being able to do too much. You can put your creative energy to use in your belongings that you can use now and that will be going to your next home. Define your style, keep and look for things that go with your style and buy or fix up pieces that can be used in more than one room. When you do own one day, you will have a really good base of things that can be used in any home. I wish we had done more of that before we bought the expensive home and are still trying to affordably decorate it.
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