Simplifying seems like it should be, well --- simple.
I can attest to the fact that it most definitely is not. My life needs to be simplified in so many ways that I am sometimes overwhelmed by it all. However, knowing that it has taken me a lot of years to complicate my life to this point, I am giving myself permission to start small, to move slowly and to celebrate the small triumphs I make.
One of those little triumphs came a couple of weeks ago, when I was able to sit down and identify the things that really matter the most to me. Inspired by the book, Simplify Your Life, I decided to give myself some time to think. Early on a Sunday morning, I headed out the door, armed with a pen, a notebook, scriptures and a copy of one of my favorite talks, Of Things That Matter Most. Within an hour I had identified the things that matter to me, and several ways I could work to prioritize those areas.
Yet, what I learned is not nearly as important as how I learned -- by slowing down. It is amazing what you discover when you turn down the volume of your life and take one hour to listen and to feel. Inspiration comes. The answers to challenges come. The question is, how often do we give ourselves those uninterrupted moments?
So here is the challenge - take one hour this week to just think. You need to be free of distractions - no kids, cell phones, computers, work tasks, or any other type of interruptions. One hour with nothing to do but consider your life. You will be amazed at what happens.
4 comments:
I am living in a different phase in my life where I have too much time to think and be all by myself. I'd give some to you if I could. I actually just posted on my Facebook wall that I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day when he eventually realizes that he should take advantage of living the same day over and over. With all this free time, I have decided I need to put more effort into studying Chinese.
I hope you and your cute little family are doing well.
On a side note, your blog looks really nice, Kellie.
Thanks for the great post Kellie, I'm going to try to take your challenge.
Kelly, isn't it funny how life is? The summer before I met Trevor I didn't work or have any responsibilities (I was a teacher and didn't work all summer). I learned to swim (better), mountain biked a lot, and attempted gardening. I haven't had that much free time ever since (that was 8 years ago). Good luck with the Chinese. You are in the perfect environment for that, and, by the way, we are doing well.
Amy - I want to hear back on how your think time goes. I'm going to try to make it a weekly habit.
My think time is the the 10-15 minutes it takes me to drive to work everyday. I decided to turn off the radio and think about the beauty of the seasons, the many things I am blessed with, my family, how to solve problems, and how lucky I am to have many good things in my life to enjoy. I have been doing this since August. It really has made me a happier person.
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