~ Simplicity ~

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.  

~ Lao Tzu

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. 

 ~ Vernon Howard

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.  

~ Author Unknown

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent.  It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.  

~ E.F. Schumacher

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.  

~ Confucius

Life definitely isn't simple. It's confusing, busy, tiring - actually not tiring EXHAUSTING! I don't know if it's just me or if it's human nature in general but we always seem to look for ways to keep busy, to complicate our lives.

Before my new role as mummy, I had a varied career, my latest role being a bank manager. I never ever finished on time, was always stressed out worrying about this loan, or that credit card or my problem staff member or my demanding boss. When I got pregnant I actually got quite sick. My doctor believed it was my body taking over and forcing me to stop, in a nutshell I basically didn't work most of my pregnancy and it was great (most of the time). My life revolved around resting, indulging myself and trying to keep my stomach well, in my stomach! I should add that at this point I had no idea what motherhood was about and how this was the last time ever I could live like this, thinking wholly and solely about me 100% of the time. This time in my life was perhaps the closest I have ever gotten to living simply. I had great sick leave so money wasn't an issue and for a time life was simple.

But was it really simple? As I think back on it now, we were just existing, just "waiting" till we could move back home to be with our families to bring up our child. So while I think that I was living a simple life (and I might well have been) I really think I still have much to learn in this area.

Living simply, living without excess, living without desire for what I don't have and more importantly for what I don't need.

So as I move through life I will endeavour to cherish what I have, to really REALLY ponder needs vs wants and to teach my children to value and to be happy with what we have in life ..... EACH OTHER .... and to travel through life with just enough baggage.