Searching for Simplicity

For the past few weeks, I’ve been bombarded with thoughts about simplicity.

In the chaos that is life, I’m finding more and more often that I want to slow down and enjoy the little things.

(Yes, I am well-aware of how cheesy that sounds.)

In my room, above the pictures of my children is the word “Simplify”.

Occasionally I will glance up at it and think, “YES!  That’s it!  I need to simplify”.

And then my phone dings and a baby cries and that thought goes out the window.

But as summer greets me, with it’s calendar begging to be filled…I’m finding myself saying no more often.

Saying no to things that I don’t want to do,
and saying yes to things like swimming in the pool with my kids,
inviting friends over for dinner,
writing letters to those who have been on my mind,
and swinging and drawing with sidewalk chalk and drinking lemonade.

So won’t you join me in my search?

Turn off the TV, the computer, the phone.
Slather on the sunscreen and go outside.
Pick tomatoes off the vine and eat them like apples if you want.

Instead of going to the movies, pull out your video camera and make your own movie.
Instead of going out to eat, get your littles to help you plan a menu and then make that for dinner.
(Who cares if it’s a dinner of ice cream and cheese-its!)
Instead of going on a trip, grab a book and read to your kids.

Play baseball in the backyard.
Go through old picture albums and show your kids what life was like when you were their age.
Tell the beginning of a story and let your kids finish the ending.

Be simple.
Be happy.
Have fun.