One Less Thing

For the last ten years I have focused on keeping my life as simple as I possibly can. While I am not a hermit living in a cave, I do pretty well rolling through my life from day to day by adhering to this principle. When I hear myself thinking, “This is getting way too complicated.” That’s when I know I must back off or stop whatever it is I am thinking or doing and reevaluate.

With simplicity in mind, I love being able to say or think, “One less thing!” It’s one less thing to consider, worry about, clean or maintain; it’s one less gotta-do! But here’s the rub, before you can determine whether you are one less thing worthy, you have to consider all possible scenarios. What do I mean? Are you just using the one less thing mantra on something you haven’t thought through? If so, it will come back to haunt you, and more times then not, with more things to do or consider than you had to do or consider in the first place.

Shocking! I know. You can’t just make rash decisions in order to check another “thing” off your list when you may be creating more work for yourself. We all like the less is more feeling, and may get sucked into the moment without considering the elements of one less thing. What’s a person to do?

• Think it through!
• Consider possible outcomes.
• Are there consequences and are you willing to deal with them?
• If you do this, how will you feel?

Before you know it, you will be one less thinging left and right. You will feel good about your less is more decisions, you will feel the weight of whatever it is lift and feel a sense of satisfaction as you move forward. Please note: if you one less thing yourself into a cave, and that works for you, make sure it's well stocked.

Cave photo courtesy of John Carl Johnson and Creative Commons

Breakfast With a Snake

When the early morning temperatures reach the upper forties, I grab a cup of coffee and head to my front porch to welcome in the day. Until the cooler, damp weather of October, my porch allows me to commune with nature and feel the sense of peace one can only find as the sun rises in the early morning. This time of year, there is a riot of chatter from numerous birds, rabbits bound around the yard as if they are late for a very important date and a garter snake slithers around in my front beds. Yesterday morning, as I sat enjoying the sun popping through the clouds, I noticed the movement of said garter snake. He, too, was enjoying the sun as it warmed him on the sidewalk below me. It is a rather colorful creature with bright green striping and orange dashes reminiscent of a garden hose.

I don’t know for sure, but I figure it must be the same snake that has shown up in this area the past few years. There have been times when I could swear it follows me around⎯seriously. When on my hands and knees in my garden beds, I shake the plants I am working near to let this snake know I am in the vicinity. While not venomous, if stepped on or grabbed, it may just strike out and bite me. Frankly, I wouldn’t blame it if it did. If someone stepped on or grabbed me I would react too, and I have, but that’s a story for another day.

As I drank my coffee and enjoyed my breakfast, the snake decided it was curious about me and placed its little head on the edge of the stair. I couldn't help but smile, but kept a wary eye on that forked tongue bugger. While I enjoy communing with nature, I really didn’t want this scaly reptile getting too friendly. By the time I finished my last sips of coffee, it was time for me to get on with my day. The snake seemed to feel the same way and slipped into my garden.

I love anything that can put a smile on my face, particularly first thing in the morning, because that smile is likely to follow me throughout my day⎯even if it comes from a limbless reptile with no eyelids. Just don’t step on or grab me! I guarantee there won't be a smile on my face then.

Garter Snake photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Creative Commons

In Celebration

My husband, Dennis, and I are marking our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. To me, wedding anniversaries show the commitment and strength of long, enduring friendships. These are friendships like no other for they demonstrate the test of time while living under one roof. This is not an easy accomplishment at all, because not everyone figures out how to do this. So, how do married people find their way?

• Respect
• Patience
• Communication
• Sharing
• Giving

Learning to truly love comes with time and can get better with time, much like a fine red wine. Over the years, I have fallen in love with Dennis over and over again. As the years multiply, we know we are in the minority and smile gently at one another as if we have a deep, dark secret.

We will celebrate our occasion with a quiet dinner for two. My uncle and aunt will be celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary, in the next few weeks, with a big bash. However you choose to celebrate, it is important to understand just how special each passing year with one another is.

Monkey love above, unable to find attribute

Soul Searching Paths

The last six months have been full of events and issues in my life that are somewhat difficult to mentally wrap my brain around. Sometimes life can go along with minor ups and downs, other times it is hard to believe all life can throw at you.

Yesterday, my brother took his life. Mike was a man relentlessly struggling to find his way. Throughout his life, he would pull himself up by the bootstraps, reinvent himself if necessary, and carry on. It was an amazing ability he had. When something this tragic occurs, one can only surmise he felt he had no other choice. It was his way of taking control over something he felt he had no control over. It is difficult to fully understand the depths of his despair. I can only hope his pain and suffering have ceased, and he now finds the peace and happiness he has long searched for.

It is important for us all to find a path leading to peace inside. Whether dealing with unsurmountable problems or trying to understand what has been thrown your way. As we search for answers, we can seek the help and support of others, but we must ultimately look within.

Sending love and light to you dear brother,

Cloud trail photo courtesy of pfly under the Creative Commons License

Stuck In Your Own Story

What’s your story? You know, the one you constantly share with others, the one you play over and over in your head but do nothing about? Don’t know? Think about it…

• Are you the person who repeatedly tells others about all that is wrong in your world?
• Are you the person who always runs-on about your aches and pains?
• Are you the person who continually blames others for your problems?
• Are you the person who never follows through on making the needed changes in your life?
• Are you that person?

If you answered yes to any one of those questions, GET OVER IT and move on! I know, I know, you have so many reasons why you can’t. That, my friend, is why you are stuck in your own story. So, today, right now, create a new one. And don’t try and tell me it’s not that simple. I’ve heard it before and you are wrong! I have been there, done that and reinvented aspects of my life more times than I can count. It is that simple and here’s what you need to do…

Believe in your own abilities,
Believe you can,
Believe!

It is your choice, and with this choice you can change. Change may be hard, but don't let fear of change make you that person. Take control of your life today by starting here: Once upon a time...you can fill in the rest, just believe it.

Once upon a time photo courtesy of UNE Photos