Alrighty, fellow seekers of simplicity... this first post will be a bit longer as I explain how this has come about. Then (as a reflection of my endeavor to simplify) I will seek to keep the posts beautiful in their briefness.
Set the Stage: I recently returned from a month long exploration of France and the British Isles--and an exploration of myself. As selfish as it seemed setting off, I felt like the trip was mainly about finding and healing me. Blessedly, it turned out that other people were involved, for which I am ever grateful. I spent a lot of time alone (or with select friends) in nature...silently communing and contemplating, or not so silently rejoicing in the humor or beauty of the moment.
The few weeks before my trip and all the way through, the phrase "Let Go" rang through my head and heart. This trip was going to be about me starting to figure out how to do that, because as much as I liked the phrase and thought "Oh, that's probably an important principle to learn," it wasn't coming naturally.
Living with only a backpack, sometimes not knowing where we were staying at night, in lands and with people where we did not have the same native language, with no responsibilities, all the time in the world, and meeting people who were so generous and connected it blew my heart and mind... it just started happening. That is a book in itself. AND I LOVED IT! I loved how I felt by the end of the trip--grounded, connected, calm, loosey-goosey, confident, faithful, hopeful...
And then I came back. For one blissful week I was living in Midway, Utah, in the midst of perfect late summer sun and mountains. Then work and life and responsibilities hit me like a Semi. After two weeks of that, I felt like all the grounded, connected, calm, loosey-goosey-ness had fled, never to return. I wanted to burn all my worldly possessions and run away again. I was devastated. How could I have let that happen?? How did I forget so fast? I'm a LOSER... For a few days I was in self-depreciation mode. Not a good place to be. When we let ourselves think those thoughts, Satan jumps gleefully right on in and just eggs us on. And then how can we be a conduit of God's love? How can we truly serve others? I had to snap myself out of it, start catching those thoughts and doing whatever it took to think positively and move forward.
How grateful I am for these last few weeks. Seeing and feeling the difference has been extraordinary. Back in what my "normal life" had been, I saw how much I thought (and think...still working on that one) I need to do and how many millions of things I need to be a part of... How much good there is to be done in the world and I need to be a part of as much of it as possible!!!!
But what I've learned recently is that somehow and someway that is not for me anymore. Here is proof from respected others that I cling to:
Belle Spafford. Ninth Relief Society general president. "The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities."
Leonardo da Vinci. Brilliant. Quoted as saying "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
President Uchtdorf. Handsome Apostle of the Lord. "Let's be honest; it's rather easy to be busy. We can all think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. (Anna here: Confession! Me!) It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over-scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. ... There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions... Yet amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee stands with hands outstretched, waiting. His is a simple message: "Come, follow me." And He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice." (Talk "Of Things that Matter Most." Oh man. So good. Hard to not just copy and past the entire thing.)
Set the Stage: I recently returned from a month long exploration of France and the British Isles--and an exploration of myself. As selfish as it seemed setting off, I felt like the trip was mainly about finding and healing me. Blessedly, it turned out that other people were involved, for which I am ever grateful. I spent a lot of time alone (or with select friends) in nature...silently communing and contemplating, or not so silently rejoicing in the humor or beauty of the moment.
The few weeks before my trip and all the way through, the phrase "Let Go" rang through my head and heart. This trip was going to be about me starting to figure out how to do that, because as much as I liked the phrase and thought "Oh, that's probably an important principle to learn," it wasn't coming naturally.
Living with only a backpack, sometimes not knowing where we were staying at night, in lands and with people where we did not have the same native language, with no responsibilities, all the time in the world, and meeting people who were so generous and connected it blew my heart and mind... it just started happening. That is a book in itself. AND I LOVED IT! I loved how I felt by the end of the trip--grounded, connected, calm, loosey-goosey, confident, faithful, hopeful...
And then I came back. For one blissful week I was living in Midway, Utah, in the midst of perfect late summer sun and mountains. Then work and life and responsibilities hit me like a Semi. After two weeks of that, I felt like all the grounded, connected, calm, loosey-goosey-ness had fled, never to return. I wanted to burn all my worldly possessions and run away again. I was devastated. How could I have let that happen?? How did I forget so fast? I'm a LOSER... For a few days I was in self-depreciation mode. Not a good place to be. When we let ourselves think those thoughts, Satan jumps gleefully right on in and just eggs us on. And then how can we be a conduit of God's love? How can we truly serve others? I had to snap myself out of it, start catching those thoughts and doing whatever it took to think positively and move forward.
How grateful I am for these last few weeks. Seeing and feeling the difference has been extraordinary. Back in what my "normal life" had been, I saw how much I thought (and think...still working on that one) I need to do and how many millions of things I need to be a part of... How much good there is to be done in the world and I need to be a part of as much of it as possible!!!!
But what I've learned recently is that somehow and someway that is not for me anymore. Here is proof from respected others that I cling to:
Belle Spafford. Ninth Relief Society general president. "The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities."
Leonardo da Vinci. Brilliant. Quoted as saying "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
President Uchtdorf. Handsome Apostle of the Lord. "Let's be honest; it's rather easy to be busy. We can all think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. (Anna here: Confession! Me!) It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over-scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. ... There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions... Yet amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee stands with hands outstretched, waiting. His is a simple message: "Come, follow me." And He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice." (Talk "Of Things that Matter Most." Oh man. So good. Hard to not just copy and past the entire thing.)
Okay, this is hard! It's hard to say no. It's hard to change this culture I've created for myself. Especially when it is to people, which many of the activities in my life revolve around. But I know the difference now, and I am trusting that God will take care of them and that it is my "business to find the way to the hearts of those to whom [I] am called." (Lorenzo Snow) My Father will lead me to them.
So this is my quest! To change my brain and heart so that I can see and act on the belief that seeking simplicity is important and the best way to live.
Here are my steps to simplicity this week:
-Keep getting rid of "stuff" ... in my room, in my office, in my schedule
-Eat healthy (my bro and I are doing the whole foods plant-based diet aka following the Word of Wisdom)
-Make sure I'm really spending time in my "Essentials" (Scripture study, exercise, nature/communion time)
The reason why I am blogging about it is that I feel to share this journey and I would love to hear and gather how YOU seek and live simplicity. Please share.
-Keep getting rid of "stuff" ... in my room, in my office, in my schedule
-Eat healthy (my bro and I are doing the whole foods plant-based diet aka following the Word of Wisdom)
-Make sure I'm really spending time in my "Essentials" (Scripture study, exercise, nature/communion time)
The reason why I am blogging about it is that I feel to share this journey and I would love to hear and gather how YOU seek and live simplicity. Please share.
I'll leave you with this photo of a place that brings me peace and that I was led to by "letting go."
