“Most people are about as happy in life as they make up their minds to be” – Abraham Lincoln
In my opinion, one of the ways to be happy is to keep our life simple. I often find myself saying “simplicity is beautiful”.
So why do we often complicate life and everyday issues with worrying and being anxious of what lies ahead, or of what’s going to happen? I know I also do it at times and I see and hear it happening all around me. What about you? You know yourself well so how do you make it harder for yourself?
Today the sun has been shining and the difference it makes is apparent – everything seems easier and simpler. When the sun goes in and it becomes colder and darker, you can begin to droop, tighten up and allow the moans and groans to come in. Do you know you can age by indulging the thought of “if only it was spring then things would be better”? By avoiding the reality of your present circumstances, you can avoid the miracles it offers.
You can wrap up warm and get into the garden, cut things back or sweep up the leaves or simply notice that the bulbs, shoots and even tiny buds are beginning to blossom. This is the natural rhythm of life – albeit the seasons are going a little crazy all over the world!
You could see this time as like us being in mid-life and it is our second chance. We want another kind of life for ourselves and others. And the hunger to find it becomes more intense as we grow older. We want to be as authentic as we can, to adapt to the process of aging and serve in a small way.
We have the life experience to know that life is simple. It’s us who complicate it.
A very simple way I’ve learned is to mouth “colourful” to a friend. They will then think you’re saying “I love you”. What a simple way to cheer someone up. Look in the mirror and say it to yourself. Go on – try it today!
