cff July 2016 | Simple and Serene Living

Friday, July 15, 2016

LIVE AND LOVE EACH MOMENT

Yesterday brought us another terrible tragedy. This one in Nice, France.


As soon as I heard about it I realized that there was a personal component for me. I knew that my son-in-law's parents are vacationing in Nice this week, and so of course I became very concerned for them. 

They are a part of my extended family and also have become friends. 

More than that, I know how much my three grandchildren love their Grammy and Popup and how devastating it would be for them to lose them. 


Life can be fleeting for any one of us. We really only have the guarantee of this one moment, and so we should embrace it. We should open our arms to it and breathe in its wonderful aroma of love. 

Hate can only be conquered by love and so no matter how much we hate the terrible acts of individuals, there is still so much love in the world. We have the love of our families, our friends, and all of the people in the world, who like us, want love not hate to win out. 


I believe that if each one of us practice living and loving each moment of our lives that all of that love will resonate out into the world. 

I am grateful today that my family members are safe, but I also grieve, with love, for all of the families of the victims of this and other acts of violence, and I pray for the healing of hearts. 


I know that I personally will spend more time consciously living and loving each moment. I hope you will too.


Monday, July 11, 2016

SIMPLE LIVING MANIFESTO

When I came across this in my Facebook feed a few days ago, I stopped to think about how much of this am I actually practicing.



Eat less, move more. I am eating less, but I am also eating more. That may sound like it doesn't make sense, but what it means is that I am eating very little processed food and eating more natural and organic foods. 



Isn't it wonderful that summer is here and the local farmers provide us with so much to choose from. I am so grateful for their hard work.

I am on a mission to move more. Every day (well almost every day) I am out the door around 7 am to take my morning walk. I may be groaning some days, but I am never sorry once my feet hit the pavement. 


I love how the morning sky is different each day.

Buy less, make more. Well, to be honest I am buying things for my new apartment, but I am trying to buy primarily vintage and antique items and I am selling things I already have so that I am not adding to waste and to hurting the environment. 

I don't do a lot of making my own things anymore unless you count cooking my meals from healthy ingredients.


Stress less, laugh more. I definitely feel less stressed since I have moved into my own apartment, and I am seeking out people who make me laugh more.


That girl knows how to live.

Feel blessed, love more. I am waking up each day remembering all of the things I am blessed with and all of the people I love. 

 
There are many.

Find a quiet spot every day and breathe. This is something I do numerous times throughout the day and I've found it can be done anywhere. 

 
For me, life is so much more serene when it is lived simply.


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

GOOD MORNINGS

I love mornings. They have always been my favorite time of the day, and now I love them even more.

One of the reasons is what I see when I walk out of my bedroom each morning. 


I love how my living room is shaping up. I am slowly getting the English cottage look that I want by using things that I have had for many years along with some new purchases. 

It is an eclectic mix that I will share more of later with you. 

Today, I just wanted to show you my first view of the day. A view that puts a smile on my face. 

Oh and I almost forgot. Tomorrow is a special day. It is my granddaughter Tessa's fourth birthday. 

I won't be there, but I left her a special present. One that she made sure I knew she wanted. I hope my daughter will text me a photo of her with it. If she does I will definitely share it with you.

I'll give you a hint. It is pink (her favorite color), has one horn, and is not alive (although she wanted it to be and told me exactly how she would take care of it).



Happy birthday to a funny, sweet, very serious, and very smart girl. 

Wish I was there to celebrate with you.