Entire books have been written on how to slow down, enjoy simple pleasures, and lead a simple lifestyle. These books exist because people often long for simplicity, but don't know how to get out of the rat race long enough to learn it. The good news is, you can start small by implementing some simple tips and suggestions. Here are some ideas.
Ten Minutes
Ten minutes is a doable time
increment for even the busiest person, so it's a good place to start. Pick when
your ten minutes will be - right before bed, maybe, or at noon. The point is to
be quiet and focused during those ten minutes, and to enjoy a simple pleasure
for that time. Draw a picture, read a book, meditate, write a few lines in a
journal. Make it a quiet ten minutes - no phone, no television, and no
computer.
If you do this every day, you
will carve out an hour and ten minutes each week. Think of it as a small
investment in your simpler future.
What's Necessary?
Many of us feel driven by what we
think we must do; we live in a world of "have two�s" and "need two�s."
But do we really? Sit down and evaluate things for a moment, and consider what
you really need versus what you want.
Are you running around with no
time to breathe because you have too many commitments? Ask yourself tough
questions - do these things/events/people really need you there? If you said
no, could they still carry on? Chances are, yes, they could. The same goes for
your kids' activities. Where can you say no? When does an opportunity become a
burden? No one can do everything. Sometimes, you really have to pick and
choose.
Entertainment
This is an area where people
often feel conflict. Many of us admire people who can do without television and
movies and computer games, and who get their pleasures from simple things like
a walk in the forest. But although we may admire them, we don't feel like we
can do the same. Chances are, though, that those simple-pleasure people you
admire were once in the rat race, too - talk to them about it (more on that
below).
In the meantime, think about your
entertainment choices. Entertainment is a pleasure, and if you're moving toward
enjoying simple pleasures, maybe you need to think about where you get that
pleasure.
One idea is to start with one
simple replacement. Instead of watching a television program, take a walk.
Notice the landscape, the colors, the shapes and lines. Little by little,
replace electronic, complicated pleasure with simple ones.
Talk to Each Other
Prioritizing relationships is key
to living simply. In fact, as you connect with others who live simply, you can
ask them about how they came to that place. Putting people ahead of tasks and
"to do's" is a way to connect with your community and enjoy the simple
pleasure of companionship.
Article by: Clem C. Benton, Jr.
http://www.12path.com/c/z/