Live a simple life – Day 13
“No matter how bad you want things to happen right now, sometimes later is better” ~Christine Sternfels
To live a simple life… practice patience. It’s in God’s time, not ours. It’s difficult to be patient, but to suffer the consequences of haste is usually worse.
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Live a simple life – Day 12
“Don’t take the daily simple pleasures in life for granted. They are the moments you can enjoy at little or no cost, effort or sacrifice” ~Christine Sternfels
To live a simple life… find the time to enjoy a cup of tea. Take this time to soak in the silence, peace and quiet and to reflect on the abundant blessings you have in your life.
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Live a simple life – Day 11
“The goal of life: simple, but not empty.” ~Terri Guillemets
To live a simple life… find simple things to do, while enjoying the company of loved ones.
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Live a simple life – Day 10
“Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning”. ~Winston Churchill
Something as simple as a market or grocery list, a “To Do” list or a schedule can help simplify things. To live a simple life… plan ahead.
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Live a simple life – Day 9
“A place for everything, everything in its place.” ~Benjamin Franklin
To live a simple life… stay organized
For some of us, this isn’t as simple as it sounds, simply because we haven’t made a habit out of it. I always tell my kids, it takes less effort to put things back in its place or where they belong as opposed to stacking it on your floor and having to pick it all up later. I need to practice what I preach.
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Live a simple life – Day 8
If you kick a stone in anger, you’ll hurt your own foot. ~Korean Proverb
To live a simple life… pick your battles and keep calm. This reduces the time and energy you spend being angry and frustrated, thus giving you more time to be focused, pleasant and happy. Have a great weekend everyone!
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Live a simple life – Day 7
Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
To live a simple life… find beauty in everything and everyone.
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Live a simple life – Day 6
Experience is what you got by not having it when you need it. ~Author Unknown
To live a simple life… know your limits, then find the courage to push beyond them.
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Live a simple life – Day 5
The little money I have – that is my wealth, but the things I have for which I would not take money, that is my treasure. ~Robert Brault,
I cannot always agree that money can’t buy you happiness.
It does pay for gas when I want to go to the beach. It allows me to donate to charities with great causes. It allows me to take a vacation, giving me quality time with my family. It gives me peace of mind when I can pay the mortgage, groceries and the electric bill. It allows me to get a massage after working 60 hours a week for months. It is a big part of survival so I try to be good to it, because it is good to me. The key is its role. I don’t make it the most important part of my life but I know I need it to survive. To live a simple life… have a budget and do your best to stick to it. Respect your money.
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Live a simple life – Day 4
Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success. ~Author Unknown.
Share your burdens, share your glories. To live a simple life… don’t navigate through life alone.
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Live a simple life – Day 3
If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today. ~E. Joseph Cossman. To live a simple life… don’t sweat the small stuff.
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Live a simple life – Day 2
Wanting less will bring you more joy than having too much. ~ Christine Sternfels
Who’s guilty of buying more than what they need because it was on sale? Or buying something to reward yourself because you thought you deserved it. How about convincing yourself you need something because you have to buy $200 worth of stuff so you can put it on your card – interest free for 12 months – because you swear it will be paid off by then? This is the reason why my garage is a storage room. I’m guilty of all of the above, and I’m sure I’m not alone here.
While transitioning to a simpler life, this is one of the things I struggled with most. I wouldn’t say I was addicted to shopping or material things because ultimately, I discovered it was the instant gratification of possessing anything newly acquired that gave me the high. That’s why finding joy in ownership or abundance of things is temporary because the bill comes then you have to start paying for it and eventually, something better comes along then you’re no longer happy with the one you have. It’s a vicious cycle!
To live a simple life… Want less.
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Live a simple life – Day 1
Sometimes, it takes hard and complicated decisions to make life simple. ~ Christine Sternfels
Good morning everyone! I’ve missed blogging and my cyber family & friends. I was going through an emotional roller coaster after Charlie passed away and found it difficult to write. So, I took a short break and I’ve allowed myself to grieve. I’m much better now and am ready to heal.
Today, we begin our thirty-day series on “Live a simple life”. This is the fourth ingredient of my “Secret sauce” for happiness. We started with “The re-discovery of happiness“, followed by “Being grateful for the little things“, then “Random acts of kindness“.
Live a simple life will be about steps taken, lessons learned and ideas to simplify life. I look forward to sharing my discoveries and hearing back from what you’ve experienced in your own lives. Today, to simplify my life… I’m letting go.
Have you ever re-lived moments that make you cringe, upset or sad? Yet we keep going back to that awful place, which leaves mixed feelings that won’t go away. Before you know it, the day has gone by and you’ve lived most of it re-living a not-so-pleasant past. Often, we hold on to feelings that hold us prisoners of our past. We hold on to feelings for reasons we’ve convinced ourselves are valid, to the point of not being able to move forward to appreciate the present. As much as we’re able to choose to hold on, we’re just as capable of making the choice to let go. We hold the key to our own chains. Join me today, by unlocking that chain and breaking whatever it is that is keeping you in the past. Today, let’s start moving forward.
Today, the sun will set. With it, will be what I no longer need to hold on to. Life is full of possibilities, new beginnings and beauty. I will make it simpler by letting go of emotions that dampen my mood, cloud my judgement, make me sad and get in the way of experiencing the good moments. No, I’m not letting go of the memories that fill my life, just the sadness that comes with it.
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Random acts of kindness – Day 30
Don’t choose who to be kind to, be kind to everyone. Don’t decide when to be kind, be kind at all times. Don’t worry about how small it may seem, to someone it makes a big difference. Don’t limit yourself to the easy acts, kindness is supposed to be selfless. ~Christine Sternfels
When I started this series, I thought “Piece of cake! I can do random acts of kindness with my eyes closed.” It was ok at first because I was doing things I wanted to do, when I wanted. The more I got into it, the harder it got because I could not come up with things that fit my schedule. I wasn’t trying to change the world, but why was I looking for grander gestures to make a difference? I learned it had to start with small acts, at any given time, anywhere and with anyone.
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” ~Mother Teresa
I hope this series’ posts have somehow inspired you to do something kind by nature and frequently. Have a great weekend everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 29
Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; ‘Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another’s tears, ‘Til in Heaven the deed appears – Pass it on. ~Henry Burton
What act of kindness will you pass on today? I’d love to hear about them!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 28
No matter how nice you are, there will always be someone to criticize you. ~Author unknown
Can you go a day without criticizing someone no matter how blatantly funny they look? Why not give it a try?
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Random acts of kindness – Day 27
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia
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Random acts of kindness – Day 26
I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. ~Author Unknown
Today’s exercise is encouragement. There is much uncertainty going around, the hectic holiday schedule, the upcoming new year and the rumor that today is the last day of our existence. Tweet a positive quote, make an upbeat Facebook status, blog something cheerful and encouraging.
One year ago today, we visited the Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula and were educated on “THE” calendar, where all the Mayans went and why all these pyramids were abandoned. The calendar goes in cycles, and today simply means the end of a 5,125 year-long cycle and tomorrow is the start of another cycle. The Mayans were not taken by Martians, they simply migrated to other areas because their natural resources ran out, thus the abandoned pyramids. So basically, they ran out of water, fertile soil, animals and harvest so they all went in different directions. By the time they went to other cities, towns and areas, they adapted to the way of living in their new environment and were mostly ruled by the Spaniards – who had their own King and Queen to serve and would not hear of sacrificing the captain of the football team from a 4 foot 11 inch tall man!
Lots of interesting facts learned that week but in a nut shell… everything’s gonna be okay. Have a great weekend everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 25
Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. ~James Matthew Barrie
I will be a baking fool in the next few days to make goodies for local senior centers so my daughter and her friends can visit and chat with them. I’ve placed a call to some places and I’m hoping someone will get back to me because the girls are really looking forward to it. Have a great day everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 24
To give and then not feel that one has given is the very best of all ways of giving. ~Max Beerbohm
Today’s exercise is to stuff small stockings with simple items. In it, include a note that says “This gift is for whoever finds it. Please take its contents and replace it with a gift from you. Leave the note in the stocking and place it where ever you want to. Happy giving!”
I also stuffed some stockings for my mailman. I put in a personal note from our family. We often take them for granted but their job is very important and regardless of the weather, your mail arrives. Take time to thank them even with a holiday card and gift card or just a thank you note.
Have a great time spreading the love everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 22
The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. ~Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur
Today’s exercise is to find someone who needs holiday decorations. Some families don’t have a tree or any ornaments for it. If you have gently used ornaments you no longer want, there is someone out there who needs it and will want it. Maybe ask around? Have a great day everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 21
Eventually you come to realize that most people aren’t looking for a fight but for someone to surrender to. ~Robert Brault
Today’s exercise is to make peace with someone you have a disagreement with. Pick up the phone, don’t text, IM or email. It’s not a matter of who’s right or wrong, whose fault it is, who started it. What matters is you mend what’s broken. And if you have nobody you need to make peace with, I’m sure you have someone to call, text or email to let them know how much you care. Have a beautiful day everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 20
If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~Bob Hope
Today’s exercise is to gather some toys for needy or ill children. Contact your local hospitals if they are taking donations for kids or participate in a toy drive. Start a toy drive with your friends, neighbors or co-workers. There are children out there who would love something as simple as a stuffed toy. Have a great day everyone!
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Random acts of kindness – Day 19
Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson
Today’s exercise is to help fix something, pack or unpack boxes, carry groceries to the car. The goal is to give a helping hand to someone. Have a beautiful day everyone!
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Random acts of kindness
The little things
The re-discovery of happiness
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