Stark, solemn trees stand sentinel along our streets. The earth is barren, cold and hard beneath our feet. In January, winter settles into our bones like a bear into his cave. Gone is the joyous ringing of bells, shining lights, and shimmering splendor of the holidays. The explosion of fireworks ushering in the New Year […]
Simplicity
26 Steps to Simplicity: Zoe (Life)
As I close out this Blogging from A to Z series, I want to encourage you to experience Zoe, which is the Greek word for “life.” It refers to both the vitality of living beings, but more importantly, it is “the uncreated, eternal life of God, the divine life uniquely possessed by God.”* I once […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Yes!
How often do you say “no” in a day? If you’re a mom like me, too much. My no’s often sound like, “In a little while,” “After I finish ____,” “Maybe later.” After eXamining your life yesterday, did you find that you have more free time on your hands because of simplifying? If so, then […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: eXamine
Here we are, two days from the end of the A to Z Blogging Challenge: 26 Steps to Simplicity series. Thanks for sticking with me! How did you do this month? Have you decluttered at least one room or one closet or one set of something? We have a huge pile of discards on the […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Work (A Story About Finding Work You Love to Do)
Do you love the work you do? Does it bring you joy? Or, do you live for the weekends, and wish you could be doing something else for those 40 hours each week? Last week, I attended my oldest son’s music ensemble performance. I sat next a couple I had never met, whose daughter was […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Visualize (9 Shareable Images of Simplicity)
Several people have declared the value of simplicity throughout history. Today, I offer some of their thoughts in a pictorial view of simplicity. All of the images are free for you to use and share as you like. Let’s spread the beauty of simplicity around the world:) Less is […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Unsplash (or, Unifying by Using our Unique Gifts)
One way I simplify my life as a blogger is by using the images available on free photo sites. Nearly all of the featured images for the 26 Steps to Simplicity series (except for Peace and Quiet– that one’s mine) come from the incomparable Unsplash. I am a mediocre photographer at best, so I rely […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Toys (Why Is It So Hard to Get Rid of Them?)
As a parent attempting to contain and corral the steady influx of toys and trinkets into our home, I always appreciate a good post on how to keep toy clutter at bay. Today, in addition to sharing my own efforts to simplify life with toys, I am including some fantastic, even radical, posts by other […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Summer
Summer is just around the corner, and if we don’t plan for it now, it will be here and gone before we know it. Up here in the northern tundra, summer is our chance to cram every outdoor activity and social interaction we possibly can into 12 short weeks. As much as I want to […]
26 Steps to Simplicity: Routines
You knew it was coming didn’t you? The dreaded R-word. At least, that’s how I view it. However, as much as I struggle with them, routines are the secret weapon to a life of simplicity. As a free spirit who is always on the lookout for the next new experience, setting and especially keeping routines […]