Tag: life

Seeking A Life of Simplicity

What does it mean to simplify? Consuming natural foods? Downsizing your possessions? Saying no to those who make demands on your time? All of these actions can contribute to less stress, better health, and greater happiness.

Throughout history many writers and teachers have voiced the importance of living simply. The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus (460-370 B.C.) wrote “Let your occupations be few, if you would lead a tranquil life.” Jesus taught that we should trust God and not get caught up in the busyness of life. Thoreau believed spending time in nature is the key to a life with less anxiety. By listening to all of these different voices, we can conclude that living simply is the way to find peace, happiness, and a closer relationship with God.

I’m sure we can all remember simpler times in our lives. As children, we occupied ourselves with play and our worries were few. We relied upon our parents to meet most of our needs. Later life became more complicated when we joined the workforce in order to make a living. Even so, the technological advances of the past fifty years made our jobs easier, not more difficult.

Today’s modern conveniences make it possible to spend less time on household chores compared to our parents and grandparents. One would think we would be the most contented people who ever lived. Instead many of us feel frazzled and exhausted from trying to keep up with our busy calendar. Could it be that we have too many choices to make regarding how to spend our free time?

When I retired from teaching I felt unmoored. I needed to do something meaningful to fill my day. Once I expressed my feelings to a friend. He said, “There are many things you could do, but only pursue one thing.” At the time I’m not sure he was aware of the significance of his words. His suggestion opened my eyes to the truth about myself. I wanted to write, and I’ve been writing ever since. Hence, the founding of this blog in 2016.

Now I live in a retirement community and I am surprised at the schedule of activities which are offered. We have fitness classes, trips, chef’s demos, lectures, drop-in-bridge, ice cream socials, and shuffleboard! Yet, here I am— sitting at my laptop, banging on the keys.

But I am as happy as a clam because I’ve said yes to the “one thing.”

If you feel pulled in many directions and can’t seem to find a moment’s peace, stop and ask yourself, “How can I best spend my time in a way that brings purpose to my life and also encourages others?”

Then start doing it!

The Allure of “Alone”

My favorite television program is “Alone.” If you’ve never seen it, ten individuals compete in a contest for a prize of $500,000. Each contestant camps alone on a tract of land. The object of the contest is to survive living in the wilderness by relying on their own skills. Most of the programs I’ve watched take place in northern Canada during the late fall and winter. The contestants are permitted to bring ten items which can be used to construct shelter and procure food. Every contender is supplied with cameras to film their experiences.

I like the show because the producers choose beautiful wild settings for the contest. As a viewer, and someone who enjoys the outdoors, I feel drawn into their world when I hear the rustle of leaves and rippling water. I imagine the fragrance of the pines and the smoke of the campfire.

Each episode follows the various characters through their struggle to survive. Some people decide to build a shelter right away while others decide finding food is their first priority. Each setting includes access to a lake. In order to insure it is free from bacteria, the water must be boiled.

Contestants collect edible plants, fish, and hunt for food with primitive tools. Guns are not permitted. After a successful catch or kill, the meat is sometimes stored for future use. This too, is a challenge, since food caches draw scavengers like pine martins, bears, and wolves. The contest is not only among contestants, but with nature itself.

Anytime during the contest a participant can “tap out” by using a special phone. Some contestants tap out after a few days due to injury or illness. Gastro-intestinal issues are common when a person eats something deadly. I would not enjoy eating some of the animals the contestants eat. But if you’re hungry, anything’s game! The last man or woman standing earns the prize money. I have watched episodes where the winner of the contest survived for 80 days.

The real test for every contestant is overcoming loneliness. Everyone misses their family members. Some contestants focus on winning the money and how they plan to spend it. This goal keeps them going for awhile, but loneliness eventually consumes even the most introverted person. Some contestants have created dolls and statues to talk to. Everyone talks to the camera, because eventually the show will be produced and their loved ones will watch. The contestants pretend they are actually talking to someone—but no one talks back.

One contender remarked that that he understood why prisons use solitary confinement to punish people. It is difficult to be alone with your own thoughts and stay positive. Love is a force which empowers humans to live. Relationships change our objective from physical survival to living for a higher purpose. In addition, working cooperatively can accomplish more in less time.

The author of Ecclesiastes speaks to the benefit of friendship. “Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls down and has no one to help him up.” Eccl. 4:9 NIV

The contestants on “Alone” are allured by an idea of rugged individualism. But each season of the show teaches the same lesson. People need people. The program makes me appreciate the life I live, and my relationships which make life meaningful.

When I compare my outdoor skills with these survival experts I know I wouldn’t stand a chance of lasting more than one night. What would you miss most?

The Power of Lists

Have you ever stopped to think about how many lists there are in the world? I’ll begin by listing a few of them.

  • to-do-list
  • reading list
  • guest list
  • wait list
  • class list
  • wish list
  • bucket list
  • grocery list
  • packing list
  • FBI most wanted list….

This week I’m packing for a trip, so I made a list of everything I want to take with me. This method is not entirely fool-proof, but it helps. I wonder about people who literally, “fly by the seat of their pants,” and wait until the last minute to pack. Making a list is not for them. I’ve had experiences with family members who don’t pack enough clothes, and are forced to visit gift stores when they need a clean shirt.

A list helps me remember things. As I age, writing things down gives me a sense of security and organization. Yes, I’m one of those people who makes a weekly menu and writes down all of the items I need from the grocery. One time I lost my grocery list at the store. A feeling of panic flooded my mind and I wondered how I could function. After taking a deep breath, I realized I usually need the same staples every time I shop. Strolling through each aisle stimulated my memory. “Ok… cereal, fruit, milk, bread, turkey… (I think we’ll survive.)”

What about to-do-lists? Do you enjoy a sense of accomplishment as you complete each task and check it off the list? Too often I write too many tasks and need to carry them over to the next day, or maybe even the next week. Making and keeping lists can be time consuming and leave you depressed if you don’t accomplish what you set out to do.

What’s the point of having your whole day crossed out before you go to bed? Extend that to crossing out weeks, months, years, and even your whole life. To-do-lists are mostly for boring, unpleasant tasks that no one really wants to do. Some of the most memorable moments of our lives happen in between the entries on our list. Who writes down, “eat ice cream today,” or “sit on the front porch and enjoy the sunset?”

Speaking of enjoying life, many people write bucket lists which include exotic places to visit and adventurous activities. I’m curious, do most people write their bucket list in one sitting, or do they continually add to it? For the unimaginative, see the 55 Best Bucket List Ideas to Help you Live your Life to the Fullest.  

According to psychotherapist Karen Balumba-Bennett, people who are intentional about writing down their goals are more likely to reach them. Some bucket list ideas require time, money, and travel but there are plenty of simple things you can accomplish at home. By the way, I noticed one idea on the list is “watch the sunrise.”

Bucket lists should facilitate getting more out of life and not fulfilling duties. Balumba-Bennett believes in allowing yourself the flexibility to alter your list from year to year if your goals change. A bucket list is a way to reward yourself by doing what you really want to do.

My suitcase is packed, and I’m ready to check off another bucket list item. Vacation is calling…

Living with Covid 19

Remember the first Jurassic Park movie? My favorite part of the movie was the conversation between Henry Wu and Dr. Ian Malcolm. Mr. Wu stated that the Jurassic Park scientists controlled the chromosomes assigned to dinosaurs and they could not breed on their own. Dr. Malcolm responds with, “Life…uh…finds a way.” And of course, Dr. Malcolm was right.

A similar comment could be made about the Coronavirus. Since Covid made its appearance more than two years ago, governments have tried their best to eradicate it, but the virus won’t quit. Like a dinosaur, Covid is a life form that wants to continue living.

I can’t deny some advancements have occurred, especially regarding testing. Remember when we drove to a specific location and waited for hours in our car to be tested? We were told to immediately quarantine. Then we waited three days or more for the results. Now we can self-administer the Antigen rapid test in our homes, which is definitely more comfortable.

In the past, those who tested positive were required to isolate themselves for ten days. Now we’re told to isolate for five. (As long as we don’t have a fever.)

Looking back, we’ve come a long way. Remember the stay-at-home order of 2020? For weeks we could only leave our home to purchase food. Publix and Target scheduled special morning hours for senior citizens to shop. When we brought our precious commodities home we wiped them down with Clorox before bringing them in the house. During the spring and summer of 2020 we went to extreme measures to make sure Covid would not enter our homes, schools, and places of business.

So here we are in July of 2022. For two years many people have avoided crowds, wore masks, and injected themselves with vaccines and boosters. Yet, the virus marches on. I was late to the party, but I arrived. Three weeks ago, I tested positive.

I’ve heard some folks say, “I tested positive but only had mild symptoms.” I envy those people. Maybe I’m a baby, but Covid was no picnic for me. I kind of knew what to expect because every time I received a booster I spent the next day in bed with flu symptoms. After I contracted the actual virus, I spent four days in bed. The fatigue and brain fog lasted until day twelve. Did I have a different variant of Omicron? I’m not sure.

Like the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park, the Coronavirus wants to live. Unfortunately it can only thrive by living in us. By changing into variants the virus continues to outwit us every six months.

Dr. Robert Bollinger of John Hopkins medicine explains that “all RNA viruses mutate over time, some more than others. Flu viruses change often, which is why doctors recommend that you get a new flu vaccine every year. ” The Delta and Omicron variants are classified as variants of concern because they are more likely to cause breakthrough infections or reinfections in those who are vaccinated or previously infected.

Covid 19 and its tribe of variants reveal the weakness of humanity. None of us can expect to live a life free from trials. The following poem by Annie Johnson Flint helps me see that in spite of it all we can rely on God’s strength to carry us when we are weak. Her poem appears in many hymnals.

God has not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God has not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trails, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love.

We cannot see God, but we can see his love for us through the actions of others. I am thankful for friends and neighbors who shopped for me, prepared food, and texted encouraging words. Their kindness spoke to me of God’s undying love during my days of quarantine.

The world has grown up over the past two years. We are learning to cope with Covid as we have with other types of flu. “Life…uh…finds a way”

How to Age Gracefully

A positive outlook about your age can help you live longer.

This week I received a phone call from a high school classmate inviting me to our fiftieth class reunion. The call hit me by surprise. What? Fifty years have passed since I graduated? After the shock wore off, I did the mental math. I graduated from high school in 1971. Just another reminder that time doesn’t stop. Sometimes I feel like my body is a driverless car on the road to an unknown destination.

The cosmetic industry has made billions from products which help hide or slow down the effects of aging, but nothing stops the process. For twenty-five years I colored my hair to hide my age. When the 2020 shut down closed the beauty shops, I let my hair return to its natural state. After awhile I began to like my salt and pepper look. Now a year later, I’ve accepted myself for who I am. After all, isn’t gray hair considered the “splendor of the old?”

Most women don’t want anyone to know how old they are. After age eighty, all of a sudden their attitude changes. They wear their age like a badge of honor to represent their personal victory over the struggles of life. I am thankful for the advancements in health care which make it possible for us to live longer.

Today people can expect to spend a quarter of their adult lives in retirement mode. These can be the best years of our lives if we approach them with the right attitude. That’s right, attitude means everything. Did you know a positive outlook about your age can help you live longer? In this post I’d like to share some tips for nurturing a healthy attitude.

Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself

Are you someone who regularly complains about how bad they feel? Accept the reality that you are aging and do what you can to alleviate your aches and pains. Focus on the opportunities of today instead of regretting the mistakes of the past. People lose their “aliveness” when they weigh themselves down with negativity.

Exercise Your Mind

When we learn new skills our brain function increases. Routines create ruts and limit our growth. Our brains love stimulation. Try puzzles, read, learn new vocabulary, dance, listen to music. For more ideas go to this link for brain Exercises.

Stay Connected Socially and Spiritually

Keep in touch with old friends. Deepen your relationship with God by reading the Bible and praying. Connect with people who share a similar interests. Volunteer in your community.

Express Gratitude

Every day think of three things you are thankful for. Keep a journal of blessings. Express your thankfulness to and for others. Be thankful for your age. God has given you these years and it is indeed a wonderful life.

Soon my husband and I will be moving into a retirement community. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and treasure these years together.

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”

—Frank Lloyd Wright

In Praise of the Lone Lantana

Behold the primeval forest

enduring the tests of time

sheltered under towering oaks

Life survives.

Defended by vast armies

of raised palmetto swords

shielded by a green stockade

Life grows.

A confident lantana

performs a solo act

arrayed in pink and yellow

Life creates.

As if on cue, a butterfly

flutters across the scene

to sip the sweet fresh nectar

Life thrives.

Lacy ferns sing anthems

in time with steady rain

in praise of the lone lantana,

Life rejoices.

Lock Up The Luggage of Worry

Worry robs today of creative energy.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.”

The words of Jesus from John 14:1 remind me I have a choice every day. I can decide to trouble my  heart, or trust in God. I trouble my heart when I continue to play negative tapes in my mind. These tapes often include fears about the future. 

Worry robs today of creative energy. 

Sometimes people feel obligated to worry. As if worrying is necessary baggage to carry along on the journey of life. Some carry their worries in a briefcase, others drag an oversized suitcase behind them everywhere they go. I’m kind of in the middle. My worries fit neatly in a backpack but it’s heavy and the load keeps me from climbing the high places. 

Stop and think about the mental energy we use when we worry. Couldn’t that energy be spent writing, painting, or gardening? What could we accomplish if we set our suitcase to the side and refused to open it? 

Worry robs today of it’s joy.

When we live in the present we start to be more aware of our surroundings. We hear a bird chirping outside our window. We smell the coffee brewing in the kitchen. Put your hand over your heart. Feel your pulse and rejoice because you are alive! 

Most of the time the exercise of “troubling our hearts” doesn’t solve whatever problem we’re dwelling upon. It only makes us feel anxious.  So how do we put a lock on our luggage?

Present your requests to God.

Once you’ve prayed about your concern, imagine tucking it away and locking it up. Allow the peace of God to fill your mind. Remember, God wants the best for you. He will be with you in all of your tomorrows. 

Do Something!

“You’ve got to get busy living or get busy dying.”

The quote from the movie, The Shawshank Redemption offers good advice. We can choose how to occupy our time. Each day is a gift. We can waste it by rearranging the worries in our luggage, or lock it up and set it aside. 

What does being busy living look like to you? Let’s not waste the gift of today. Take a walk. Read a good book. Bake cookies. Take a friend to coffee. Make a list of all the the things in your life you are thankful for. Enjoy today. Sleep well tonight. Enjoy tomorrow. 

“Whatever is lovely, think about such things. And may the God of peace be with you.” Phillippians 4:8,9