Simplicity is the secret

Happy Thursday,

How are all you amazing folks doing today? One more work day for most, then it’s time for another weekend. Any plans? Shoot me a text or drop me a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

I am so excited every day to see the many comments and exchanges I’ve been receiving. I love being able to chat with each and every one of you, whether it’s about my blog or yours. I love seeing all the wonderful art work and photos being shared, I even like some of the YouTube links that I receive. One of my favorite things is the word challenges. Takes me out of my own zone and makes me think how to incorporate words into a short little paragraph. I am truly feeling more and more connected to everyone, so thank you for welcoming me into your world and reading my blog. Means the world to me.

Thank you to my new subscribers too. I hope you continue to subscribe and read my blog. I’m always open for suggestions on topics, so anyone and everyone, if you have a topic you’d like to see me talk about, let me know.

Yesterday we touched on the subject of poison and what that could look like in someone’s world outside of an actual poison of substance. I know I shared with you one of my poisons is that of my clutter. Well, this weekend I’ll be working on some of the decluttering process, starting in my bathroom. I want to get everything sparkly clean. This will motivate me to work on another room.

Anyway, yesterday while chatting with you all about what poison is in my life and perhaps the other types of poisons that could be affecting you, I stumbled across another quote and I think it really brings home the point of how in my case having too much clutter is robbing me of the finer things in life. I think the quote also speaks to how the new little gray hair I found this morning is reminding me, I’m getting older, therefore, I’m hoping I’m becoming a little more wise and humble.

“Life humbles you. As you grow old, you stop chasing the big things and start valuing the little things. Alone time, enough sleep, a good diet, long walks, and quality time with loved ones. Simplicity becomes the ultimate goal.”-Unknown.

I think my prayer was answered when I came across this quote. I asked God to give me peace. When I prayed, I wasn’t so sure what kind of peace I was asking for, but my cousin Heather suggested I ask for peace. God will handle the rest. He knows exactly what we all need.

Yesterday I was able to get through my entire day without being weighed down with a big concern and fear I have. Today, I am focused on what needs to be done in my home to make it my home again.

I’ll be 56 years old on Monday. Each year I believe I get a little smarter in some areas of life, but this year, I think I’m becoming more humble. Life has taught me, I can have everything and lose it in a matter of moments and decisions. Choices I made, choices for a life of happiness cost me financially and you know what, while I might not have money at my disposal, I am happier in my life. I have an abundance of friends. I have an overwhelming support from family. I have a wonderful man in my life that I love more and more each day. I have a love I never thought possible with John. I have amazing kids and fur babies and I am humbled by these gifts that He has bestowed upon me.

I am done wasting time. I am getting on my horse and I’ll be riding off into the sunset following my dreams and I don’t have far to go.

Simplicity in the little things in this life is where it’s at. Simple meals so John and I can float in the lake after dinner. Less stuff means less cleaning and organizing, which means more time during my day to write and embrace reading my books and other blogs.

I’m really beginning to think simplicity is the key to so many things. John’s mom was telling me not long ago that during each of her moves she’s paired down and doesn’t miss anything she’s donated, given to friends and family or tossed and she has many years of collecting stuff.

“What I know for sure is that when you declutter-whether it’s your home, your head, or your heart-it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family.”-Peter Walsh.

Time with your spouse, your friends, kids, family, all that will be enriched because we will find time without being weighed down with stuff.

As I look around my crafting studio/loft, I’m seeing things I haven’t touched in a long while. Ugh, I hate to get rid of it, yet, I haven’t used it, so what do I do? I had a friend give me an entire Sizzix, the big one and small one, along with every die cast possible to go with it. I’ve used it once. I have more crafting paper then I know what to do with, but I miss making greeting cards and want to get back into it, keep or ?? I have a rather large array of ceramics to paint too, not to mention, a couple dozen canvas’s for painting. Did I mention I have a beautiful embroidery machine? Oh, and I certainly have enough fabrics for quilting. The fabric I think most of it I’ll give to the quilter’s club here in the lake, but the quilt kits, those I’ll keep. Heck, if I do that, I just realized, I’ll scale down half of my quilting stuff. Done!!!

I’ll be honest, I thought during this phase of my life I’d be home more and able to engage in all the things I love to do. Right now though, the Universe has me on a different path. While it’s different then what I thought it would be, I’m still pulled or being guided to write and start up my YouTube channel and podcast again. I feel somewhere in this life, God is guiding me to help others learn about Him in a healthy way. I feel by Him showing me the truth about the cult I was raised in, He wants me to share that experience with others. I’m hoping He’s going to allow me to help people, especially those in cults, see that there is life on the outside of the grips of confines of cult living.

Simplicity allows us to grow and experience the bigger things God has given us. “If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”-Eleanora Duse.

I’ve been blessed to have a few of these little guys visit me every day and I love it. I know the quality of the photo isn’t what Midwest Mary takes, but I tried. I need photo lessons Mary..

Anyway, as simple as this photo is, these little hummingbirds are remarkable in nature and amazing to just watch. I could sit for hours just watching them feed, fight for their dominance on the feeder and fly all around in and out of the branches on the tree where their yummies hang.

There’s nothing simple about a hummingbird, except it’s beauty. Midwest Mary wrote all about their remarkable abilities. Go over and check her blog out. You won’t be disappointed.

Well guys, that’s about all I have for you today. I do hope you are doing well, staying cool and enjoying life.

Despite all the unease in our world today, we still are surrounded by so much beauty. Take a moment and enjoy a little piece of what God has given to each of us.

Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs

Thank you for reading.

A little glimpse into my book:

 Instead, I was brought into the world and indoctrinated into a cult from the age of two until I woke up in my mid-forties and realized I had been lied to my entire life. I will be shunned by many more after this book is published. I will more than likely be publicly disfellowshipped from the Jehovah’s Witness religion. I run the risk of being labeled as an apostate, a term used by the witnesses to describe someone who was once a part of their faith and who no longer believes and speaks out about the teachings. Being an apostate is an unforgivable sin. These are the risks I am taking and the risks I want to take.