Life Can be Simple By Fran Hafey/Mysti

I can only speak for myself, but I enjoy a more simple life. Life
can at times be really tough. We wonder how we may get through
it. Right now in my own life, I'm taking the time to write about
something I've witnessed, first hand.

I'm in my early forties at the time of writing this article. I
have children in their twenties and Grandchildren too. I'm taking
the time to observe life. Maybe I should say it another
way...Spirit is making me take a break... and I feel that it's a
time to observe how complicated or simple life can be. I've heard
many people say, "Life is what you make of it." I believe that,
but I also believe we have our part to do and also we need to
have faith.

I would like to share some insights I have. Not everyone will be
like this, but from my experiences, this touches quite a lot of
people I've known in my life.

I've noticed that when we're kids we're free, open minded, honest
to a fault and love so much easier. My Granddaughter Christina,
will just walk in the room and come over and hug me and say, "I
love you and always will love you Nana." Isn't that great? She
shares her love and has no fears of it not being returned because
she has not been "programmed" to think anything else but that she
is loved. Not all of us are like that, of course.

When we become teenagers our hormones can interfere with
everything! It becomes more important to have friends and impress
than to act upon what we may have learned as a smaller child. Our
boundaries are pushed to the limits and we often don't think
clearly. We want to be loved and accepted by everyone... peer
pressure.

In our twenties, we want it all. We want to have fun, money,
career, be free from parental bondages and do whatever we want.
We're in a hurry and have little patience. We think we have all
the answers and don't really want to listen to anyone else. We
could take this time to further our careers, but we generally
would rather be doing other things instead.

I really liked it when I hit thirty. I became calmer somehow and
saw the world through totally different eyes. My husband told me
I would and I did. Life slowed down, I began to think about my
life more in terms of "my gosh, the kids are almost grown, now
what can I do?" Even though the kids may have been in Jr. High, I
realized just how fast life was going and I wanted to make it
last and be a bit more meaningful. Spiritual things became much
more important and it was true that more people in this age
group, back then perhaps, would say "what am I here for and what
is my purpose in life?" We begin to search much harder.

When I became forty, I had already been on my Spiritual path for
quite a while, but at this point I knew exactly who I was and how
my heart worked. I didn't need so much reassuring and constant
recognition about what I was doing with my life, I just felt it
was my life and I am the one responsible for my happiness. Yes,
life became a lot simpler. My mind became less cluttered. The
kids are grown and moved out, but that doesn't mean they're gone.
We still work around each other and weave our family ties and
help one another when we can. Now... I hear my own daughters and
son saying, "Where did the time go Mom?"

I look forward to the coming years and the changes and how I will
handle them with peace and in a much more simple way.

I see my parents, in their seventies and going strong. Their love
is everlasting and I am blessed. That's sort of rare in these
times... and they've lived in the same house for forty-two years.
I see them enjoying their time together and preparing for that
day when they will pass into the other side of this life and
return to Spirit. They're freer again, in how they speak and how
they spend their time. If they want to do something, they do it
and don't worry about tomorrow. Life can be simple.

How can we simplify our lives? We can choose to have faith, not
fear and know that no matter what... we're taken care of. Even
when we may see possible chaos at our doorstep...to have faith
that all will be well and not worry, can make life...simple. Live
your life by your heart, not a watch or clock. Listen to your
higher self... that voice within you. Watch the skies more often
and listen to the wind. Slow down. Stop making excuses. Just do
it. Find peace wherever you go, because it follows you... it
exists within you... inside your spirit. Make different choices,
change your life, let go, pick up newness, do something
different, say a prayer, meditate, hug someone, paint a picture,
make music, smell fresh bread or roses, visit a sick friend,
breathe... deeply, love... easily. Be a better listener and a big
giver. Ask for help, don't assume. Turn off the news. Go for a
walk. Wake up early and watch the sun rise. Hold hands with
someone as you watch the sun go down and the stars come out.

Life can be simpler. We can make it so, but we have to choose it
to be so.
We can release out of our lives what we no longer need that
causes us to worry and to miss many signs. We cause most of the
confusion that we long to run away from. We create our own
reality. People are building more buildings, making more noise,
more pollution, less love, less compassion. Perhaps we need to
burn all paper money and learn to live once again, a more simple
life.

Some people may argue or point out that they never had a chance
or they lived in a difficult part of the world, or they had bad
parents or were poor, rich, the wrong color etc. I have observed
people overcome every kind of obstacle there is and see people
smiling with peace in their hearts because they didn't let
excuses stand in the way of having a simple, but loving and happy
life.

You can choose to live wherever you wish and continue to have a
busy life, but even so, there are many ways to have a more simple
and peaceful life. It all happens within and then you'll see it
light up in all areas of your life. So, living a simple life can
mean something different to each of us, just as we are all unique
and individuals.

For me, I love my simple life, living in the woods and writing
here at my computer. It's not so simple everyday, with kids and
bills and the telephone ringing, but it only takes a long hot
bath, good music... some green tea... a good long talk with
myself and with Spirit... to make it simple again.

Copyright: Mystickblue (c) July, 2004 All rights reserved.

About the Author

Fran Hafey is a Spiritual Counselor, Healer, Writer, Earth/Animal
Activist and Teacher. She provides guidance and inspiration via
her Website, groups and newsletter on the World Wide Web. To read
more of her articles visit the Author's Website:
http://Mystickblue.com She's currently working on publishing her
own books about love, inspiration, magic and nature stories for
Children of all ages.