Simplifying Your Life

If you are like me, you have probably seen magazines with articles proclaiming that you should simplify your life.  There are books written on the subject, friends have said they were going to do it.  But I have to be honest with you...I never really knew what that meant. 

Life is complicated, how does one simplify it?  If you read those magazine articles or books or even talk to your friends...it can be any number of things.  Maybe it's about organization. or maybe it's about cutting things out of a busy schedule.  For one friend years ago it meant not dating so many men at one time.  

Today I ran into old navy to return something I had ordered from their website.  I am not sure who designed the dress, but it was clearly meant for woman with a size F bra or something.  Really strange.  When I was there I saw a pair of navy blue sneakers.  I had no idea I wanted navy blue sneakers til I saw them, and then something just clicked.  I thought I can wear these with so many things...jeans, shorts...you name it.

After I left Old Navy with my prize in hand, I had to stop for a few groceries on the way home.  As I was going in, I saw a girl wearing a little sundress with black sneakers.  Now I have to tell ya that is not a pairing I would have thought of, but she looked adorable.  I wondered briefly if it was a fashion choice or if she just didn't have much in the way of shoes.

Suddenly it clicked...the way to simplify ones life is by cutting down on the choices, whatever those may be.

I have been sorting and cleaning lately...we had a huge fire here recently, and I took bags of stuff to Goodwill.  I figured it was a good time to do it with so many people in need.  As I look around my house, I realize I have a long way to go.  I need to get rid of a lot of stuff.  Not all of it physical objects either.  

I was talking to a young man I know the other day, and he told me that one evening in the recent past they had an absolutely spectacular sunset.  He said I wanted to watch it as it faded, but I had to force myself to focus on it.

I thought about that for a long time after.  Sometimes I have to force myself to focus on things too.  Not unpleasant things.  I realized we also have too many choices now of where our attention should go.  TV, computer, books, cleaning, work, friends and family wanting our attention at any given moment.  Those last things are very important.  But so it taking a few moments to enjoy a sunset.  There is something very simple and beautiful in that too.

One of the choices I have made however is to come back to my blog.  I have been away, making very few posts for nearly a year...the same with my bears.  

I want to simplify my life, and in an odd way blogging has always helped me do that by organizing my thoughts and allowing me to focus on them and read them back to myself.  In the mean time I will be getting rid of the clutter in my closet, my house, and my mind!

I hope many of you are still willing to come along for the ride!

Have a wonderful, safe and happy 4th of July!

Hugs, K.