I know that I haven't posted much of late but I hope to be back soon. I chose this older photo of mine today because I feel that I am in a transition period in my life. This is a suspension bridge that swings with your weight as you cross it and it illustrates how I feel right now suspended between the past and future.
In January I chose as my word Revitalize but what I should have chosen was Revive or Simplicity. I am craving simplicity very much in my life right now. I find the most comfort and peace in simple things and places. I find that I enjoy the most the days and moments where I am just in the moment and loving it.I am also finding that in these moments of pure contentment and delight I find my my deepest happiness. Here are some examples: walking the dogs in a local park and seeing the sun slant down thru the firs and coastal redwoods to the forest floor like gods finger pointing to me toJust Be and Live, or the greetings of the dogs when I come home from work after a 12 hour day, the joy of finding a new book in my mailbox from Paperback Swap,the pure beauty of the spring blossoms and buds all around me.
I am seeking to simplify all areas of my life . I find that even after giving away a lot of stuff when we moved here I still have to much clutter so my goal for the coming two months is to continue to simplify our home and myself.
I also find that simplicity can be found in other ways.I have not been on the computer quite as much and have put a time limit on the amount of time I will allow myself to stay on here as I find for me I waste away precious moments and hours surfing the web which could be better spent on being creative and enjoying the people and things I love. I am not saying that I don't still enjoy it just that I don't want to just mindlessly waste time on here. I purposefully leave my cell phone on vibrate or in the car sometime so I don't feel compelled to answer it. I find it very sad that you see so many people who can't go thru a meal in a restaurant without constantly checking their cell phone or text messaging people.
I want this spring to really be a time I can look within and bring forth the flowers of tommorrow from the seeds of today.
"We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be." — May Sarton
29 comments:
I try to enjoy the simple things in life but sometimes things get in the way and I end up so stress, I have to stop everything and start over. That's what spring is to me.
I know I waste a lot of time blogging and surfing the net but who can resist when there's so many blogs to read?
thanks for visiting my 2lives site - we will, maybe have a new post this weekend, it's hard to coordinate when two people are living in different cities.
I really enjoy your photography and maybe in the future, we can collaborate on a 2 lives site, hey, you never know.
Yolanda,
I love that photo, and it is certainly a lovely representation of my own life these days. I've often said I'm in a midlife transition, but there are days that "suspension" might be the more appropriate word. The May Sarton quote is great. I could claim it as one of my personal mottoes!
Your comments resound with me. I too crave the quiet and simplicity of my home when I get home from school. Knitting,reading, and walking are my simple pleasures.
You are so right, I wish I had discovered it sooner in my life.
I wish you the best in this coming spring;.
Yolanda-Love your blog and your openness. I'm glad that you found me and now that I've found you I'll look forward to visiting regularly.
Awesome, awesome post. I like the idea of a suspension bridge getting us through transitional times. I guess those bridges, like us, need to be dynamic to take the change.
Thanks for stopping by today. I didn't realize my profile was down!
The picture captures what you tried to convey in your words. I can imagine the swaying and unsteady feeling, even with something you're standing on is moving. Hoping you'll find peace on this journey.
Really appropriate for me too.. thanks for posting this. Love the suspension bridge going through to the transitional time.
You are so open and that's good. Good things.
Wise words Yolanda... a good reminder for all of us.
Beautiful photograph and I know what you mean about simplicity. I'm also aware that I need to back off from spending as much time on the computer when I'm not working. Sometimes spending quiet time for me seated in my garden is what I need to revive, or going on a walk without any haste, when that's possible.
Beautifully said, Yolanda. I can certainly relate to the notion of feeling suspended between the past and the future. And I am going to try and simplify as much as I can while I walk across the bridge, so not to be too burdened by "stuff" to notice the beauty around me, much like in your lovely photo! :)
I was able to slow down and enjoy the simple life this week in a quiet campground at Lake Chelan. I was disappointed we couldn't head your way to explore the Gorge, but the weather was too dicey. I love the photo and your words.
I'm feeling that same type of transition from the cuddle in, stay warm, read a book and cruise the internet winter mode to the open, airy, get out and dig in the dirt springtime mode. Loved this post. Is that the Vancouver, B.C. suspension bridges? We visited them last fall and walked in the treetops. Beautiful!
I would love to hear how this journey unfolds for you - in photos and words .
this all sounds wonderful! I absolutely love your photo!
A beautiful photo and a beautiful post.
I'm feeling ambivalent about the internet myself--I want to read, comment, and write entries for my own blog, yet I feel like the activity is taking away from my fiction. I can't give up the connections I've made here in the ether, but I need to live my actual life, too. What to do, what to do?
And yes, simple seems to resonate right now, as well. I feel like I'm allowing life to be complicated when it needn't be.
Thank you for this thought-provoking post!
I think this is very wise Yolanda, this choice for simplicity and time. Enjoy your happiness! Protect it.
BTW, those bridges are so scary. I tried to cross one in BC and couldn't. I got halfway and turned back three times which I know doesn't make any sense, I just couldn't cross the whole thing. I hope you have more luck during your symbolic crossing than I did in reality.
Hi Yolanda,
thanks for visiting my blog, and for your kind comment. Your photography is beautiful, and I feel the same way about simplification. What started out as a way to connect with like-minded souls has often become a time-waster. I am stepping back from the computer, too. And I find that it is liberating.
Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo,
Mary
My life was forced into simplicity and I found that it is one of the many gifts of my illness.
Gorgeous post Yolanda...beautifully written and so right on many levels.
Enjoy the view from your bridge! ;)
You are speaking from my own heart...I love when that happens!
A toast to simplification, contentment in the moment and spontaneous joys that surrender themselves to our inner awakening ~
love, love, love the photo.
Simplicity rules. I have been ridding myself of unnecessary items for some weeks now, and it is so liberating.
It makes keeping the house clean and tidy so much easier as well. Enjoy your weekend..
Your photograph of the suspension bridge is perfect for this post. It also reminds me of walking through the forests in BC. What a beautiful place, the Pacific Northwest.
Ahhh yes, I completely understand your desire to simplify your life. I have two big bags full of stuff that are destined for the Goodwill but I know that I could fill another bag. Decluttering the Home seems to declutter the brain, doesn't it?
I love this beautiful post! I too crave simplicity in my life. I need it! Yet, when I try to get it, real life stuff always seems to get in the way. I see know that I must make it a priority, no matter what. It is a shame not to appreciate all the beauty that sits right under our very noses.
I also love the quote for May Sarton. I had never heard that before, but I love it. What a gift of words.
I love the picture. It reminds me of a bridge at Fall Creek Fall State Park in Tennessee. I was too afraid to cross it, but my husband did. I think at this point in my life, I would just take the risk and cross it.
Thanks for this wonderful post!
Have a lovely week.
XOXOX
I love coming to your blog...
Nice Photo
Excellent post...I can so relate to this, and the choices you're making right now. I've found that I've come into a new season in my life as well, and with what you are describing. (great photo, too) :)
ps glad you like the poppies! We're enjoying the orange at the moment! ;)
What a lovely post. The quote at the end is wonderful.
I don't regard my time on the computer wasted, but time can seem to disappear! I find I learn things every day, so feel it is time well spent.
WOW! I certainly know where you are coming from with this post!!
I have enjoyed the past year more than any year of my life! And it was for what you are writing about...the simpleness of life. Seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Seeing the first Bees of Spring. Last weekend I saw a Beaver in the wild for the first time in my life....what an amazing experience.
So many people go thru life with so many "things"...and I have to admit I have been one of those people. I am definitely trying to get back to the Simple Life.
Thank you for sharing this!
(Sorry to ramble)
PS. LOVE LOVE LOVE The photo!!
I'm there . ..
There is a comercial on tv right now that says that .. and I smiled when I read your post because I immediately thought of that line.
Well said.
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