Find The Way

Many people just give excuses, don't fall into this trap.
Many people can't say no, don't be ensnared by these lies.
Many people don't know what they really want, don't follow this crowd.
Many people are lost, you are not lost.

No one is lost, they have just temporarily given up.

Find the way.

There is ALWAYS a way.

Find the way.

Once you have found the way - lead the others to it.

Don't let anyone feel lost.
Don't let anyone flounder.
Don't let anyone feel hopeless.
Don't let anyone give up.

Laugh it off!

Laughter sometimes will change my mood.

Seeing my little guy laugh ALWAYS changes my mood.

Part of my journey of returning to less is the realization that I can not control anything beyond myself.

I can choose to enjoy what life gives me or I can lament that I didn't get more.

Each of us has the ability to smile and laugh at how far we have come and how serious we take the things that don't really matter, and laugh whole heartedly with those people and at those things that truly give us joy!

Having a child of your own really challenges you with what the "small stuff" really is. Do YOU sweat the small stuff?

Don't sweat the small stuff - Laugh it off!

Take some time this week, starting today and have a good laugh and let go of the idea that you need to control everything.

Return to less, worry less but laugh more and LIVE more!

Get your giggle going and soon the small stuff gets smaller and the big stuff doesn't seem that tough.

Slow Steps

I literally rush from thing to thing and never really allow myself to enjoy the journey!

I rush to work, then rush out for a coffee, then rush to eat lunch, rush home from work, rush to a movie or rush to finish dinner, then relax for an hour or two of TV, rush to update the blog, rush to bed - just to do it all again the next day.

Now taking the fast lane is not a bad thing, but to be in the fast lane 20 over the speed limit with the cruise control locked in, while eating a sandwich, listening to an audiobook juggling a coffee and getting wound up at anyone who dare challenge your dominance in the lane is a getting a bit out of hand.

Recently I have tried to slow down and #lookup and enjoy what it means to just be.

I know there is a lot of buzz around smart watches and "wearables" like fitbit that shackle your wrist with constant reminders of this completely artificial construct that we have labeled "time". I love not having a watch. Having to pull my phone from my pocket to check the time takes just enough effort that I increasingly find myself not doing it. (maybe I am getting lazy or maybe I am beginning to realize that exact time keeping doesn't matter)

Slow steps:
walk at half pace today and see how that makes you feel.
Do you feel like you have more time to enjoy the exercise and experience of the journey?
Do you feel stressed out that you are "wasting" time not getting there right now?

Take a few slow steps and observe your mood today!

Soar with the Eagles

That's not an eagle! That's an Osprey!

Right you are but "Soaring with the Ospreys"just doesn't have the same ring to it.

When ever you are feeling downtrodden and earthbound, just look up and enjoy the sights that greet you.

There is a whole world of entertainment out there in the natural world. Somethings you just don't fully get watching the nature channel, like a sunrise or a majestic flight of the Osprey.

So there may not be majestic birds where you are but there is something flying around.

Flight is a fairly new thing to mankind, but not for birds.

Even spending a few minutes watching the flight of a crow, pidgin, or sea gull can be an up lifting reflection of how something so complex for man is effortless for nature.

The things we struggle with most are usually the things where we seek to circumvent nature or take shortcuts to get what we want, when we want it.

Take some time this week to unplug from the screens and look up to the feathered friends that show us how simple life can really be.

Travel Unencumbered

Travel light.

There is a mentality that we need to be prepared, and consumerism tells us that to be prepared we need "stuff" in case of an emergency.

Travelling light is a better option, it allows you to be agile and maneuverable if there arises any emergency.

This week think of the items that you cary with you on a daily basis, keys, phone, pens, wallet, snacks and ask yourself one question: "Is this weighing me down, or serving me on my daily journey?"

For me, eliminating a card or two from my wallet, or getting a smaller wallet is a victory.

Eliminate keys you don't need and items you never use.

Soon you will feel light as a feather as you travel light.

Give a gift of time

Intentionally give someone the best gift in the world - Your Time!

Don't underestimate the power of attention and the lasting impact of a shared moment.

Giving your most valuable resource isn't easy, but it will be worth it.

Don't let the seasons change before you spend time with the ones that mean the most to you.

Schedule it in if you have to, just do it!

Cheers!

Look Up

The quickest way to find your place in the world is to look up.

Cloud gazing isn't just for kids, it is great way to relax and let the stress of your life just drift away...

And it is FREE!

So next time you are stressed, find a plot of grass or a blanket on the beach and Look UP!

Until next time. - things are looking up!

Jay