live simply

We live in an intentionally complicated social/economic/political situation. It is hard to turn our backs on these “needs” and see them for the “wants” that they actually are.

It is a balance. More time less doing. Less things more space. Enough time. Enough space. Enough thought. Enough and no more.

Pushing a car uphill is difficult. It is not complicated.

Things become complicated when we try to put other agendas into an already difficult situation. Pushing a car uphill, with people in it (who aren’t helping), stopping on the way to pick up dry cleaning, and hoping to make it to the post office before it closes, while being careful not to scuff your shoes is COMPLICATED.

Nothing difficult has to be complex. Peel off those complications and see how unnecessary they are. Just push that car uphill. Difficulties can be overcome. Complications stick to us for as long as we will have them.

Just replacing, fixing, or eliminating the broken item makes a huge difference.

The day has 24 hours, 8 for sleep, 8 for work, 3 for eating, which leaves about 5 free hours (some use these hours to commute so subtract those hours too.) These few hours we have are a precious commodity. Imagine taking one of these hours each day to just be… to check in. One hour in every 24 to be you.

DailyTao.org
Sunday, 18 March, 2007 :: 8

The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Tao.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.

When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.

Translation by Stephen Mitchel.
DailyTao.org Widget by Glen Sanford.

My son convinced me that he needed to take a day off yesterday, to which I agreed, on the condition that he not play video games or watch tv during the time he would regularly be in school. Instead he read Harry Potter (first book-he’s nine).

Steve’s sister came over to work on her EBay auction with Steve, and we had a simple dinner of egg noodles in garlic butter, herbs, and parma; green beans, fruit salad, and poached salmon.

The boy did some chores, as did I. The fellas watched an hour of Star Wars (don’t know which one), and I did some writing.

It seemed to me to be an uncomplicated day and quite enjoyable.

1) Shelter
2) Water
3) Rest/Sleep
4) Good food
5) Companionship
6) Peace
7) Comfortable shoes
8) Beauty

Perhaps part of simplicity is focus and intention?

Details are nice, but sometimes they are entirely unnecessary. Why bake an apple pie, when a bowl of sliced apples are just as enjoyable. Sometimes we worry about the details so much we forget to turn our attention to spending a calm and quiet leisurely time with those we love the most. I want to pay attention to 1000 details, but I give myself permission to let them go for today. Let things be what they are… and let the silences fill the moments with quiet joy.