Life Can Be Simple
by Fran Hafey/Mysti
I can only speak for myself, but I enjoy a more simple life. Life can at times be really tough. We wonder how we may get through it. Right now in my own life, I'm taking the time to write about something I've witnessed, first hand.
I'm in my early forties at the time of writing this article. I have children in their twenties and Grandchildren too. I'm taking the time to observe life. Maybe I should say it another way...Spirit is making me take a break... and I feel that it's a time to observe how complicated or simple life can be. I've heard many people say, "Life is what you make it." I believe that, but I also believe we have our part to do and also we need to have faith.
I would like to share some insights I have. Not everyone will be like this, but from my experiences, this touches quite a lot of people I've known in my life.
I've noticed that when we're kids we're free, open minded, honest to a fault and love so much easier. My Granddaughter Christina, will just walk in the room and come over and hug me and say, "I love you and always will love you Nana." Isn't that great? She shares her love and has no fears of it not being returned because she hasn't been "programmed" to think anything else but that "she is loved". Not all of us are like that, of course.
When we become teenagers our hormones can interfere with everything! It becomes more important to have friends and impress than to act upon what we may have learned as a smaller child. Our boundaries are pushed to the limits and we often don't think clearly. We want to be loved and accepted by everyone... peer pressure.
In our twenties, we want it all. We want to have fun, money, career, be free from parental bondages and do whatever we want. We're in a hurry and have little patience. We think we have all the answers and don't really want to listen to anyone else. We could take this time to further our careers, but we generally would rather be doing other things instead.
I really liked it when I hit thirty. I became calmer somehow and saw the world through totally different eyes. My husband told me I would, and I did. Life slowed down, I began to think about my life more in terms of "my gosh, the kids are almost grown, now what can I do?" Even though the kids may have been in Jr. High, I realized just how fast life was going and I wanted to make it last and be a bit more meaningful. Spiritual things became much more important and it was true that more people in this age group, back then perhaps, would say "why am I here and what is my purpose in life." We begin to search much harder.
When I became forty, I had already been on my Spiritual path for quite a while, but at this point I knew exactly who I was and how my heart worked. I didn't need so much reassuring and constant recognition about what I was doing with my life, I just felt it was my life and I'm the one responsible for my happiness. Yes, life became a lot simpler. My mind became less cluttered. The kids are grown and moved out, but that doesn't mean they're gone. We still work around each other and weave our family ties and help one another when we can. Now... I hear my own daughters and son saying, "Where did the time go Mom?"
I look forward to the coming years and the changes and how I will handle them with peace and in a much more simple way.
I see my parents, in their seventies and going strong. Their love is everlasting and I am blessed. That's sort of rare in these times... and they've lived in the same house for forty-two years. I see them enjoying their time together and preparing for that day when they will pass into the other side of this life and return to Spirit. They're freer again, in how they speak and how they spend their time. If they want to do something, they do it and don't worry about tomorrow. Life can be simple.
How can we simplify our lives? We can choose to have faith, not fear and know that no matter what, we're taken care of. Even when we may see possible chaos at our doorstep... to have faith that all will be well and not worry, can make life...simple. Live your life by your heart, not a watch or clock. Listen to your higher self... that voice within you. Watch the skies more often and listen to the wind. Slow down. Stop making excuses. Just do it. Find peace wherever you go, because it follows you... it exists within you... inside your spirit. Make different choices, change your life, let go, pick up newness, do something different, say a prayer, meditate, hug someone, paint a picture, make music, smell fresh bread or roses, visit a sick friend, breathe... deeply, love... easily. Be a better listener and a big giver. Ask for help, don't assume. Turn off the news. Go for a walk. Wake up early and watch the sun rise. Hold hands with someone as you watch the sun go down and the stars come out.
Life can be simpler. We can make it so, but we have to choose it to be so. We can release out of our lives what we no longer need that causes us to worry and to miss many signs. We cause most of the confusion that we long to run away from. We create our own reality. People are building more buildings, making more noise, more pollution, less love, less compassion. Perhaps we need to burn all paper money and learn to live once again, a more simple life.
Some people may argue or point out that they never had a chance or they lived in a difficult part of the world, or they had bad parents or were poor, rich, the wrong color etc. I have observed people overcome every kind of obstacle there is and see people smiling with peace in their hearts because they didn't let excuses stand in the way of having a simple, but loving and happy life.
You can choose to live wherever you wish and continue to have a busy life, but even so, there are many ways to have a more simple and peaceful life. It all happens within and then you'll see it light up in all areas of your life. So, living a simple life can mean something different to each of us, just as we are all unique individuals.
For me, I love my simple life, living in the woods and writing here at my computer. It's not so simple everyday, with kids and bills and the telephone ringing, but it only takes a long hot bath, good music... some green tea... a good long talk with myself and with Spirit... to make it simple again.
Love and simple blessings,
Mysti
Copyright: Mystickblue © July, 2004 All rights reserved.
About the Author
Fran Hafey is a Spiritual Counselor, Healer, Writer, Earth and Animal Activist and Teacher, living in the mountains of Virginia. She provides guidance and inspiration via her Website, groups and newsletter on the World Wide Web. To read more of her articles visit the Author's Website: http://Mystickblue.com
She's currently working on publishing her own books about love, inspiration, magic and nature stories for Children of all ages.This article may be freely published so long as the author's Bylines and resource box remain intact.
Please send me a note and link if you publish. Thanks!
Copyright: Mystickblue © July, 2004 All rights reserved.
*Note: Spiritual Pathways may only be found at Mystickblue Groups, her Website and a few special Newsletters/publications. Please feel free to share them, leaving all links and copyrights. Thank you.
Some articles will be included in Mysti's/Fran's first book entitled: "Season's of Love," coming out soon!! Don't miss it, make sure you keep up with all the newest and joyful things Mysti is doing now and be a part of it!!
Please contact Mysti if your interested in getting on her book list! She has already started her next book too!!
