A Re-post. . . Needed to be inspired, to Find My Balance
Here is a re-post, a reminder for me today. . .
November 8, 2006
Sometimes we get so caught up in the busy-ness of life or the single mindedness, that some areas of our life slip. Its been that way for me lately. I have gotten lazy in some areas, or maybe not lazy but lost focus. It seems that maintaining an even balance and consistency is not always easy in this world we live in. When I read other blogs I see the same things in other folks. It's not only in me and that's a bit of a comfort since misery does indeed love company. One week someone will write that it's all about getting rid of the stuff. Stuff they excitedly brought into the house last month and now they are overwhelmed by it. There is talk of resolve to do this or that, but looking back you see that falls by the wayside. We have so many things thrown at us in this multimedia life. It's hard to remain on the slow and steady pathway. Seems we need to work on maintaining the bits of many aspects that make the puzzle whole and a balanced picture is not an easy task. We get caught up, inspired and then forget the other parts we need to maintain. In my world, my personal space in this time of my life, I need to keep my surroundings pretty but without spending a fortune. But, I can fast climb on the bandwagon and forget to nurture myself with the things that are good. Meal time has been one of those. I need to create for myself a delightful setting in which to eat simple and healthy foods and take the time to enjoy it.Same with my appearance. Look good and not see that as some departure from simple living. Simple living is perhaps non existent. Nothing is really simple since there are so many factors in life that change daily, bombarding us with choices and options. Maybe we are chasing some elusive Unicorn in seeking to have things simple and filled with daily same-ness. Sure we can cut down on the things that add stress and help us to live moral and ethical lives but that is not any simple task when the flow of mankind is heading the other way. We can always seek the good things from the olden days, the honorable things, but not to focus so much on throwing the baby out with the bath water.Simple living doesn't mean, frumpy clothes, or just spending the day over the stove, or forgetting to surround ourselves with beauty and grace.Its not about hauling wood and making soap, its about not buying into consumerism that consumes us. Its about living modestly and reaching out more. Its about not getting caught up in a plastic world where things take on more value than people. But on the flip side, seeking the simple life can become all consuming too, and make us judgmental to folks that are caught up in the whirlwind ride of modern society. For me, city living would make me crazy. I need to connect with the land, with the scenes of nature that make me certain the world is run by the, oh how funny, no matter how hard I try I cannot think of how to say it in English, but only in Hebrew, funny how the mind works, "Creator of the Universe" , yes that's it. Country life seems more simple to me, easier to stay grounded and aware of what really matters to me. In the city I think it would be easy for me to get caught up in a bunch of stuff that would make me unhappy. Maybe simple living is all about surrounding yourself with the balance of things that keep you uncluttered mind wise. Anyway, this morning, my croissant, coffee and Paris Cafe music made me feel a bit more civilized and a whole lot more in sync. Maybe I could shop today for clothes and find something. It's not easy admitting you get distracted on the road of self discovery. We just need to maintain that childlike enthusiasm for life and embrace the challenge of it all. There is no shame in loosing your balance once in a while. I sure don't mind admitting that I don't always keep the big picture in view. Besides, I know everyone already knows it about me : )
my own personal spa, notice the cheap wal-mart fluffy towels : )
a simple meal, that inspired and nourished more than just the body, it was my own "soul" food.
Music of the day, Josh Groban...his music takes me away from that place where dullness resides
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I thought to question her, to examine what her reasons for choosing the country over the city could be. Maybe I would get to see that my own choices had influenced her.
"Why's that?" I asked.
"Because the city has so many things (she struggled a moment to find the words), things like buildings and stores and stuff. You can't see all the stuff God made like all the trees and flowers and hills and those are prettier."
I smiled on the inside with gratitude. Then said, "I think you're right."
On closer thought, I realize in towns, even the prettiest of them, they even man-organize nature within the limits of city-plans. The parks are man-planned, the flower gardens are planned, the tree-lined streets are planned. But even when the flowers are all blooming at once or when all the trees are lined up in their uniform fall colors, they can't come close to the solitary flower blooming along a grassy path or the glory of a hillside ablaze with a mass of reds, golds, orange and greens. The sound of the wind is even more glorious as it thunders up through the holler than it does as it whips past tall buildings of concrete and steel.
We are blessed to be reminded daily of God's love of beauty in creation, those of us who are lucky enough to live in the country.
But, I realize that there is also a downside. Is it sometimes hard to turn my thoughts to the wonders of His creation in all those beautiful souls that amass in the city as I am surrounded by nature but not by so many neighbors? I think sometimes my focus is a bit askew - enjoying the glory of natural decoration but not being in the middle of His work which is to teach unto salvation and encourage the saints. And now I realize why the country church is such a focal point. And then there is the habit of the eye to be drawn to what is different. In the city, I people watch b/c all the buildings seem much the same. On a country road, I look at every single home along the way instead of the field or trees so much.
I feel certain as I raise our children that the country is the better place to do it. My focus is more on them and what they are soaking up. But, what about when they move out? Will our home be a sactuary for grandchildren from the city? There are endless possibilities for having me here in this place or another! I must leave it to God and am thankful that He saw fit to plant me here, amoung the trees! Food for my thoughts.
Sorry to have gotten to long! Thanks so much for the thought-food! It's delicious!