Simple Things, Simple Joys, Emotional Happiness
As time passes, there is a stronger conviction each day, that living simply opens up for me more and more moments of joy. Each step I take has purpose, gives me a view of the moment. Life now allows me to look carefully at the smallest detail, to be silly if I want, to be contemplative if I choose. This morning when having my breakfast, Emery had already gone to work...I was late getting chores done. After putting some milk on my oatmeal and in my tea, there was a bit left in the creamer and looking around as if someone might just see, I tipped up the creamer and drank what milk was left as if it was in a cup. A moment of silliness. How my Grandmother would have scolded me. A woman must never ever forget her manners, but I didn't forget, I just took liberty ! I can honestly say that our choice of lifestyle, living with less so I could stay home and raise the children and homeschool them, choosing the sometimes difficult path of growing our food, heating with wood, limited appliances, and walking a narrow path for so many years has been so worth it. So long ago, it was worth it to have high standards in choosing a husband. One that I could pray with, that exemplifies living ethically, with deep and abiding morals. We are a sum of our choices, and we do have choices. We are not set in some pre-programmed rail that we cannot get off of.
Riches have never called to me, not the material kind. Somehow I always knew, even as a very young teen that things are not the ingredients that make a satisfying recipe. Last night I heard this felt a lot better about not having amassed a huge financial fortune....made me feel that what I do have is great wealth of love and happiness.
"The Center for Risk Research at the Stockholm School of Economics recently published some research that found "obsession with money or the excessive pursuit of it is really reflective of a deep deficiency of our emotional lives and of our relationships."
Comments
I think we need to be responsible and make sure we have enough money for our needs, and not depend on the government,to support us, but we can live on a lot less than we have been led to believe.
The amount I spend on necessities each month would be considered, by the government, to be below poverty levels, but we live well, because we buy used goods, garden, preserve food, and cook from scratch. I hand laundry whenever it is feasible in our northern climate, and use wood heat when possible, and keep the thermostat low when it isn't. Wood is very expensive here.
People who have to have the latest technology, cars, luxury houses, with cathedral ceilings, enormous bathrooms, etc. are their own worst enemies.
A simple joy, is finding a treasure at a thrift store, spending time with children, and being proud of simple accomplishments.
Keep those ideas and thoughts coming.
At this stage of life, we have been blessed well beyond our needs so that we can help our children. It seems like the less we need, the more we are being blessed financially.