Living Simply: My Top 5

When I say I want to live simply, it's not just a statement, it's actually a brand of thinking and lifestyle. Living simply can be covered eloquently by Henry David Thoreau or laid out plainly by Buddha, and in this day and age it means a whole lot more because there is so much to fight against, societally speaking. It is sort of an anti-consumerist, pro-environmentalist, non-superficial, and no-stress approach to life. This is hard to attain if we are trapped in the cycle of thinking we are what we have. Even with a large family, we can live "richly" and very satisfied with only one income and such an unstable economy. There are endless ways to make your life simpler and less stressful, thus happier. One way to simplify is to start by jotting down the top 5 most important aspects of your life. This was hard for me to be incredibly specific, so I created a more general response to this list and realized this was pretty complete. Everyone's list will be different and unique. Here's mine:

1. Family - The number one focus in my life is my family, namely my husband and children. No matter what else is going on externally, or internally for that matter, they are always first. When you give unconditional love, you actually feel better about yourself and have more love to give naturally. It's a lovely domino effect. There is nothing more beautiful than watching your children bloom from their tender beginning into what they will gradually continue becoming as they ripen and evolve. There is also such beauty in nurturing a long-term relationship between 2 lovers, riding the waves of life's everychanging flow, especially when you share the gift of life together. I can go out and experience so much still, simply by taking my family along with me.

2. Gardening/Nature -This is the second most important thing (probably tied with#3) because this in itself is a celebration of life. Gardening is giving birth to plantlife and food that will then nurture us when eaten. It is keeping humans in touch with nature, the earth, outdoors, fresh air... It creates a healthier person to garden and/or expose onself to nature both physically and mentally, thus more spiritually. Eating organically gardened food obviously promotes physical health, as does being out in nature or in the garden, getting exercise. These also both calm the mind and create a clarity with onself or one's God. We strive to live on an acre of beautiful nature surrounding us, with area to also plant a vegetable garden. It is also much healthier for children to grow up in an environment that involves these components.

3. Yoga/Physical Activity - As mentioned before, this element of my life is equally as important as #2. Yoga is a balanced way to optimize physical and mental health, core strength, and life-changing flexibility and control. I am also one to find the answers from within myself, and yoga enhances this pursuit greatly. Staying active is a wonderful aspect of my life. This includes, dancing, walking on the treadmill, nature hikes, running, playing with the kids.... This is what our body is made for, not to sit around like slugs all the time.

4. Making a Difference - We want to make a difference environmentally and politically, locally and on a global level... We have been donating money for many years to many organizations from saving tibet, to doctors without borders, to nrdc, to save the redwoods, to arbor day foundation to ..... this is only to name a few. We have never been well-off, but still we found some way to support them because we knew of the vast importance. We have been to rally's and signed numerous petitions and sent many letters to officials and tried to spread the word on a number of issues, from McCain/Palin to 9/11 to George W..... We have supported local farmers, we hardly buy things new, we tread lightly on the earth. In fact, we are a family of 5 and still growing, but I guarentee that our family treads more lightly on the earth than most family's of 3 or 4!

5. Creativity - This is quite a broad category because as life progresses, so do people's interests. I was knitting like crazy when I was pregnant with our 3rd son, but now I haven't much time for this as my brain has shifted to other stuff. I love writing (obviously), knitting, sewing, reading, art, dance, drama, music, singing, anything else I can't think of at the moment or that which I haven't yet discovered. Plus, my children demand the opening of a whole different realm of creativity based on individuality and everchanging age. Creativity is very satisfying and soul-reaching. People have lost touch with this as technology and consumerism has prevailed over time.

Compose a list of your top 5, it's a really fun and simple way to put life into perspective.


Namaste