Learning to love less…

“The less I needed, the better I felt.”

Charles Bukowski

Over the past six months, I have chosen to put down my daily blogging habit. It happened because I missed a few days due to work; there was just too much going on at the moment in July when I last posted regularly. Over these past five months, something has been missing, and it wasn’t that I needed more time; I needed more intentionality with my time. I have realized how much I enjoyed writing for 15-30 minutes each day and reflecting on the meaning of a particular quote. I genuinely don’t know how many people, if any, read this blog regularly. But that isn’t why I write. I write because it is a meaningful use of time for me. It creates focus and discipline in my life. 

What does that have to do with today’s quote? Perhaps not much at all. But as I reflect on the year behind and make plans for the year ahead, it is apparent that less is truly more. The fewer distractions one has, the more focused you can be on the things that really matter. The better people that you have surrounded yourself with in life, the more impact you can have for others.  

As I wrap up 2021 and reflect on all the changes that the past year has carried, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn the value of less. I am excited about what is to come in 2022 and opportunities to serve more people in a balanced and intentional manner. It starts with picking up an old habit and writing again. It’s good to be back.  

Do you know what is preventing your peace?

“When we have peace in our hearts and minds, we draw peace into our lives.”

Iyanla Vanzant 

Do you have peace in your life? How do you know? Perhaps a better question is, what would it look and feel like to live a peace-filled life? How would it manifest very specifically for you?  

Once you have a clear definition of your peace, you can identify and strip away those things that prevent you from achieving it. If you don’t know exactly where you are going, how can you know what steps are needed to get there?

Peace and clarity live outside in nature…

“A walk in nature, walks the soul back home.”

Mary Davis

When the day is murky, and thoughts don’t come clearly, go outside.

When the world is overwhelming, and you need to find peace, go outside.

When clarity is what you seek, go outside.  

Sometimes the simplest thing is the very best solution. When in doubt, go outside; that is where clarity lives.

Just imagine…

“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one.”

John Lennon

Just imagine the power if EVERY person were to say “no matter what anyone else says or does, I will be a disciple of peace and forgiveness.”

Just imagine the IMPACT if every person lived outwardly with these actions as a demonstration of their beliefs.

Just imagine… This truly sounds like heaven…

Purpose = Peace

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”

Author Unknown

If you are living your true and authentic purpose in life then noise, trouble and hard work aren’t disruptions to your peace, but merely endorsements that you are doing the right thing(s). We aren’t meant to live lives that are easy, trouble free, and quiet.

I might argue that if you have peace, not matter how loud, crazy and effortful the world may be, you are living your true purpose.

A gift for yourself…

“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace.”

Nikki Rowe

I find that it is harder and harder to find a place of quiet and peace in today’s world.  We are digitally connected almost 100% of the time.  To achieve real quiet outside of the chaos requires making a conscious decision to give yourself the gift of solitude and peace. For me it means quiet time with a good book or perhaps a long bike ride or a run.  

I am reminded of the verse in Matthew that frames what I look for when taking some time of solitude: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

How often do you actively seek to give yourself this gift?

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dusty

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