Fellowship Fridays: Simplicity
March 13, 2009
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Happy Friday!!!Â
I hope that you have had a wonderful week. If it didn’t work out that way… no worries; next week will be better. I promise!Â
As you know, I am in Costa Rica right now, so I thought it would be appropriate to have Simplicity as our Fellowship Fridays theme today. Costa Rica is all about simplicity, nature, happiness, and well-being (my kind of place). When we simplify our lives, and minimize the chaos and useless tasks, we find we have more time and energy to enjoy life.Â
Here are 5 Great Posts from fellow bloggers to get you on your way to a simpler, happier life:
1.Going Barefoot from Simple Mom
This is something we do in my home. And when I say “we” I mean every person that walks into my home. I actually have a “hall of shoes” (on the way in from the garage) where everyone deposits their shoes before entering the rest of the house. That one hall gets REAL dirty, but it takes a few seconds to clean. The rest of the wood floors and carpets stay super clean… which means, more free time for me!!!
2.Curiously Strong Ways To Declutter Your Car from Alex Shalman
Some people spend so much time in their car, it becomes like a second home. If this is the case, it is important to declutter and simplify that space so you can feel at ease, productive and happy when you are there. Alex shares these tips from the perspective of a student, but I think you parents will find that they work great when you have kids to haul around, too. I’m a big fan of the one empty bag rule.
3. Simplify Your Home And Wardrobe from On Simplicity
This is a fresh, lively approach to minimalism with personality. Just because you want a simple, clean house does not mean you want everything to be neutral and boring. Here you will find great tips for creating simple, yet wonderful spaces. These same principles can then be applied to your wardrobe.
4. The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures from Marc and Angel Hack Life
I love this list because it reminds us of how many little, free things can bring us so much joy. I was surprised to find that simply reading each of these made me feel a little happier inside. I know one of the things my son and I most look forward to receiving something in the mail (that is not junk or a bill.) Oh, and blowing bubbles in the rain.
5. Ten Tips To Simplify Your Life from Zen Habits
If anyone knows how to simplify, Leo does. He’s fashioned his entire life around the principles of doing less to achieve what we want in life. In this list he offers us ten concrete things we can do right now to start simplifying our lives. So once you’ve read this, you have no excuses; it’s time to get started.
Do you have some useful Simplicity tips to share with our readers?
Pura Vida!
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Posted in Fellowship Fridays, helping others, simplicity
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Hi Lisis,
I think one the best things to do in order to help simplify life it to donate all the things that you are no longer wearing or using. There is no need to have a closet or a garage full of stuff that has not been used in over a year.
The reason for the year cut off is that if you have not used it within a year, chances are you probably don’t need it. Items that are used often tend to be the ones that we need. So just donate those things because there are people out there who probably need it more than you.
Hope all is well and that you are having fun!
follow @HappyLotus on twitter
Hi, Lisis, thanks for the list. These are great posts, but they all missed one really powerful way to simply your life: drop everything and go to Costa Rica.
I hope you’re having fun!
You know, Michael, you are right. There is a lot to be said for dropping everything sometimes: Jeff’s work, Hunter’s homeschool, my new blog project, housework, yard work… everything. If we put it all on hold for a week or two and take off for Costa Rica, we come back relaxed and refreshed and our tasks are still there waiting for us when we get back. Nothing terrible happens if we just take a little “me time.”
And, Nadia… as soon as I get home I’m donating everything in my basement. I haven’t used that stuff for years! Thanks for the reminder. =-)
follow @Serene_Balance on twitter
I have found that when I focus on the future too much, I forget how good things are today. It is easy for me with all the things that each day brings, I need to be in 5 places at the same time, as I am sure many of you experience. I have gone to school for over 90% of my life. I have had to look toward the future with keen focus and determination for so long, you sometimes forget to live today. Now that I have a wife and child, I have to step back and “soak up” each day before it slips away. I am not getting younger, and neither are my wife or child! I don’t want to wake up mentally and be giving her away at her wedding and not have many, many memories between now and then. So I say, simplify life be living for today. We are very busy these days, face it .. it is hard to keep up with what is expected of you today in this busy world we live in. Take a deep breath and soak it up, for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Oh, yeah, your family will thank you as well.
Jason Hurt, M.D.
follow @chalc1 on twitter
Hi, Jason! What a thoughtful comment. I like that you recognize how much of your time has been spent doing things, and how important it is to make time for people, too. You have a wife and child that you love to spend time with but also, in your case, a profession that helps a lot of people and (I’m guessing) you enjoy.
You are the perfect example of how important finding balance can be. It is not as simple as giving up everything in order to hang out and be happy. There are some things that do need to be done, and compromises that need to be made. But I think if you value people and helping others above money and achievement, you will be able to find a balance that works for you, and your family.
Thanks, Jason!
follow @Serene_Balance on twitter
Lisis, thanks for the honesty. I read “Why read this?” and really appreciated your candor. I could not agree more with you when you talk about how important it is to live in balance.
As a 30-year kidney transplant (donated by my brother Steven-we are both doing great!) I savor and relish every day that I am blessed to live ‘in balance’. Guess you could say my personal motto is “Cherish the precious present, it’s the only one you get!”
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Hi, Michael! What a great story! I am so glad you and your brother are doing great, and I am sure you both have a huge appreciation for how precious and fragile life can be. We just can’t be taking our time for granted.
I really appreciate you visiting my blog, and taking the time to comment. I love having the opportunity to get to know my readers, and I feel like we all have so much to learn from eachother.
Thanks!
follow @Serene_Balance on twitter
This is wonderful. I particularly loved “The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer”. WOW, what a list! Also I’m a big fan of Leo. He has helped my immeasurably.
follow @RatRaceTrap on twitter
Hi, Stephen! I know it, that list is really something. Just reading it has such a positive effect on the soul. I am glad you are enjoying Felloship Fridays; there are so many great blogs out there for us to learn from.
=-)
follow @Serene_Balance on twitter
Costa Rica is a great place to visit. Had a lot of good times there with the Ticos.
follow @EWanderlust on twitter