This is only my take on living simple to each their own. How I live is how I like living, so my lifestyle might seem odd to you but it makes me happy.
Less can be more for me.
The less clutter on my dresser, the better I feel about that piece of furniture. My mind is more at ease. When I clean out my email the same feeling. Decluttering basically gives me control over my future emotions, where a mess would give me anxiety. Tidy up now and save myself the grief of spending hours later. OCD maybe? No, this is how I function. Without organization I would lose my mind. But this isn't only about year round spring cleaning, but keeping my mind zen. Balance. Without balance in my life I cannot function, so I create my own balance. Simple mindset, simple lifestyle.
I will be good to people.
This world can be ugly, we need more good in the world so I like to be a part of the good realm. Having uplifting conversations with total strangers, giving to the needy and I'm not talking about dropping a bag of stuff off at the Goodwill. Give one of my two Egyptian cotton sheet sets to a woman who has no sheets to sleep on. Give her my shirt if she likes it, I have more shirts at home. I believe in karma.
I will be positive.
Even when the negative looms all around me. I love my fiancรฉe with all my heart, however he is filled with negative energy. He radiates negativity to the point to where I have to get away from him. My fiancรฉe is an extreme pessimist. He looks at the bad before envisioning what good could come out of the situation. I think happy thoughts therefore I am. He thinks I'm some "hippie, spiritualist nature lover", I'm ok with this label. I'm nice even when he's mean, I kill with kindness which is fail safe.
I will be slow to anger.
Anger is evil, it harvests demons that create more evil. I make the conscious choice to not be angry. Yes, I DO and have gotten angry however it's a rare occasion and I'm only human. I can only control so much on my own, and the rest to the universe. Nothing works right when I do it with anger, and I like things to work right. I don't scream or yell at my children to correct them, it only makes the situation worse and teaches them dysfunctional communicative skills with others. I teach patience by showing it, and it has paid off.
I will sacrifice.
The happiness of my children is at the top of my priority list in life. Being a mother has taught me everything I'm telling you here. I will jump through hoops to see that my kids are happy. I love to talk to them about everything life has to offer, long talks when they are sad. I have raised good well-rounded children and they have the foundation they need to build a strong future, and that's my purpose as a mother. Creating "good" people. I sacrifice having a polished wardrobe, mani's and pedi's, haircuts, junk food, and all things glam so they can have whatever makes them happy. Seeing a smile on their face is like Christmas morning, addicting. The more they laugh the less they cry, make them laugh and be silly with my kids.
I read the Bible.
I'm not going to preach, but this book teaches good therefore I read and apply the lessons to my daily life. My golden rule is to treat others as you would have them treat you. If I had two of the same thing, one being in worse shape than the other, I will give the best of the two. If you're girlfriend has two pairs of jeans to loan you, would you honestly accept the jeans with that noticeable stain? If I was the one loaning the jeans, my friend gets the better pair. It might not matter to her, however I'm happy inside when I know I've made that simple sacrifice. Living simple involves a lot of sacrice for me.
I will connect with nature everyday.
Even if it's just a brief walk on my deck, I want the fresh air in my lungs and the sunshine on my face. Ultimately, I love gardening and digging in the dirt. The earth has an energy field all it's own, and I tap into that daily. Now am I sounding odd? Ha.
I will stay busy.
My idle mind is a dangerous mind. I don't need to lie around all day so that my mind wanders off course. I have never been bored, even when I have nothing to do. Having nothing to do is actually a great time to DO something, so I meditate. I envision positive things happening, I make goals and plans, I might teach myself something new. I have several "projects" going so that I always have something to look forward too. I'm up with the sun, and down with the moon. Meaning I only sleep when my body says too and that's not much and I'm ok with this. I will never have a maid, or a nanny for my kids. My house and my children are solely MY responsibility and no one else's.
I will eat "clean".
You might not agree with my diet whatsoever. I even think it's a bit odd, ha....but it works for me. My diet is no diet at all, I only eat food to nourish my body. I don't eat food to diminish hunger. I do stay away from meat, bread, and all junk. Yes, ALL junk. It feels gross to eat something I know isn't going to promote a healthier lifestyle, after all I do want to be here to see my children grow up. I don't crave junk, because my body rejects it. I believe we are what we eat.
I will be content with what I have.
This world is so materialistic these days, with big fancy possessions being some peoples "goals". If I had a million dollars, I would have a million dollar home. I do not have a million dollars though, therefore I do to live in a million dollar home, and that's ok because I'm happy with my home. It's big enough to meet our family's needs yet small enough to afford and keep clean. I am not ashamed of my home that I toil so hard over every day of my life. I will not idolize my possessions, and like any woman I have things like jewelry, perfume, highheels, dress clothes, nice cars (all paid for). So if I lost everything I have, I don't lose much. This might tie into my childhood a bit, I've become accustomed to losing things, friends and loved ones which makes it hard for me to deeply connect with the outside world. I don't like to become attached to things or people (except for my kids and fiancรฉe). I have had a lot of things in my life, as well as lost them. Going without something always has made me appreciate it more. I'm ok with not ever owning a pair of Louboutins, but yes sure they're beautiful. I might not ever have a five carat diamond ring, I'm happy with the one I have. I hope you see where I'm going with this. I don't miss something I've never had.
I will be honest.
Truly as cliche as this sounds, honesty IS the best policy for me. Lies beget lies, and can distinguish trust in my relationships. I want those that love me and trust in me to know I will do as I say. When I am faced with a question I don't like to answer, I tackle the response with candid honesty. For me it's easier to go ahead and deal with the circumstances at hand face-to-face rather than letting the problem fester. Talk, communicate openly with my family and friends.
I will sing everyday.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I love to sing, it makes me happy inside. Music can uplift me, it can be my friend when I have none.
I will be happy.
This is MY choice and no one else's. I can either choose to be in a bad mood or a good one. I will not let my environment control me or my emotions. I have cried of course, like I've said I'm only human.
Zen is my mantra, balance, peace, harmony. This how I "live simply".