Thursday, March 19, 2009

Simplicity in life

Who doesn't like simplicity? For sure I'm a big fan of simplicity. However there are lots of other people who often have a complicated life and those who rush things. This doesn't mean that they are living in a bad living condition but more in how they live their life. I've met people who often make simple things in life become complicated. Now let me ask you this question? Is it life that make those kind of people become complicated or is it themselves who make simple things become complicated? I choose the second option. Why make it complicated while you can do it just like that, in a simple way.

You might be wondering whether it is possible to live a simple life in a very complex world we're living. It is possible, nothing is impossible if you want to do it. The thing about simplicity is to be able to create a happier and more enjoyable life for you and of course for the people around you if you can. I'm sure that everyone of us can life a simple way of life by not worrying too much about things that are going on in your mind. However, this doesn't mean that you don't care about things in your life. You do give attention on those things but you take it one day at a time. And have confidence that if problems arise, there are always solutions to those problems or obstacles. If you feel like you can't do it alone, go ask for a help from someone else. Certainly, you'll be able to feel like the burden on your shoulder has been taking off. I believe that life is a balancing act. Just like Yin and Yang. Everything has its negative and positive side. There is no way you can have a really perfect life without a single scratch. That's the beaut of life I guess, when you've been able to "conquer" your so-called obstacles in life, you will know how to be grateful. Below is the article about life as a balance act.

Do you ever feel like one of those plate spinning circus performers who use the gyroscopic effect to balance plates on top of long poles held vertically in stands? By the time they get the last one going, the first one is about to drop, so they run back to set it spinning again, and so it continues. I remember working with a healing client not so long ago who was experiencing just such a phenomenon!

Life these days can feel a lot like a balancing act. We each have so much to attend to right now. The pace and complexity of life has increased so dramatically with the advancements in technology of, say, the last 50 years, that the "simple life" has all but been eradicated. When was the last time you sat and watched the sun rise or set, or took time to simply observe the stars in the night sky? When did you last take a walk in the woods and stop to admire and absorb the rich variety of smells and colors of nature?

When our plates become overfull and the responsibilities we have become unmanageable, we are faced with some tough choices. Do we continue to struggle along, doing the best we can to handle everything, or do we examine all those responsibilities and expectations and see where we can make some changes in our life?

The problem with having too much on your plate is that all your energy goes to "maintaining" which leaves little or no time and space for creativity, recreation, enjoyment, healing, relaxation - in other words, quality of life! Something else that gets lost in the shuffle is your sense of self - your awareness of who YOU are in the midst of all your responsibilities. This is truly unfortunate because maintaining a good connection with yourself is crucial to being able to maintain balance and harmony in your life.

So, what does it take to be able for live in a simple and peaceful life? Here's the list of important points.

  1. Decide what is important. Take a step back and think about what’s important to you. What do you really want to be doing, who do you want to spend your time with, what do you want to accomplish with your work?
  2. Examine your commitments. Accept that you can’t do everything, know that you want to do what’s important to you, and try to eliminate the commitments that aren’t as important.
  3. Do less each day. Don’t fill your day up with things to do. You will end up rushing to do them all.
  4. Leave space between tasks or appointments. Allowing you to focus more on each one, and have a transition time between them.
  5. Eliminate as much as possible from your to-do list. As much as you can, simplify your to-do list down to the essentials.
  6. Slow down and enjoy every task. Try to enjoy whatever you’re doing. Try to pay attention, instead of thinking about other things. Be in the moment.
  7. Single-task. This is an important point. Do one thing at a time, and do it well.
  8. Eat more slowly. This is just a more specific application of taking things more slowly but it’s something we do every day, so it deserves special attention.
  9. Drive more slowly. Another application of the same principle, driving is something we do that’s often mindless and rushed. Instead, slow down and enjoy the journey.
  10. Eliminate stress. Find the stressors in your life, and find ways to eliminate them.
  11. Create time for solitude. In addition to slowing down and enjoying the tasks we do, and doing less of them, it’s also important to just have some time to yourself.
  12. Do nothing. Sometimes, it’s good to forget about doing things, and do nothing.
  13. Sprinkle simple pleasures throughout your day. Knowing what your simple pleasures are, and putting a few of them in each day, can go a long way to making life more enjoyable.
  14. Practice being present. You can practice being in the moment at any time during the day. The key methods of being present include paying attention instead of daydreaming, observing what is going on around you, breathing attentively and meditating.
  15. Find inspirations. Learn from the best. Simple things that you love the most are the best inspirations, for example, your beloved, your pets, nature, views, re-reading a cherished book, helping a volunteer project, counting smiles, looking for rainbows.
  16. Make frugality an enjoyable thing too. Instead of delayed gratification, try enjoying life now while saving for later.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci -

(sources from selfgrowth & wikihow - images from justbesplendid & vi.sualize.us)

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