Go get 'em...

"To live is the rarest thing in the world.

Most people exist, that is all."

-- Oscar Wilde

Project Simplify.

My dad told me a few months ago that "you are consumed by what you own."  Maybe he crafted these words by himself...or maybe he was quoting someone else...I don't know.  What I do know is that I have been thinking about that quote quite often.  Think about it...you are consumed by what you own.

These words are also resonating in my mind for other reasons.  You see, recently, my brother started a new blog based upon living simply...and as Christ wants us to live.  In his blog posts, he talks about clearing the clutter out of our lives and living in a Christian manner.  I find it all a little "funny" (but not "funny, haha" as they say) that my brother and I are half a country away, yet yearning to do the same thing.  To simplify.  To help others.  To reach out.  To improve ourselves.

Through my brother's blog posts and tweets, I have been introduced to the ways of minimalism.  I have done some reading on the idea and it is totally intriguing.  I mean, wouldn't it be nice to not have so much stuff?  To just have what you need?  To find happiness in what is truly meaningful?  And to not get caught up in wanting all the latest and greatest?  (Although I still really, really, really want an iPad.) 

Well, I think it sounds marvelous.  Enter:  "Project Simplify." 

Project what??

Project simplify.  I'm getting ridding of it.  The clutter.  The junk.  El crappo.  I'm purging, selling on EBay, donating, and trashing.  Maybe you want to do it with me?  Really.  Try throwing out that unused stuff that has been sitting around your house for the last 6 months.  It's freeing.  It's gratifying.  And it's going!

thx stock xchng

Another shout out...

...to my kiddos.

Heard a song the other day while listening to my Indigo Girls station on Pandora radio.  As soon as I heard it, I ran upstairs to check out the artist.  Sometimes I am moved to do this...but usually I am in the middle of cooking dinner, yelling at my hugging my kids, and putting stuff away while my Pandora is playing....so I never get around to it.  Anyway, the artist intrigued me enough to check out her website....she is amazing!

Turns out, Sara Groves (the gal singing the tune) is categorized as a Christian singer...of which I have never been into before.  Maybe the Christian radio stations I have tuned into are just not that great...or maybe I am just a sucker for Lady GaGa (yes, the freakshow) and other smutty music.  But hey, you gotta indulge somehow.

So the shout out already.  It's called You Cannot Lose my Love:

"You will lose your baby teeth.

At times, you'll lose your faith in me.

You will lose a lot of things,

But you cannot lose my love.

You may lose your appetite,

Your guiding sense of wrong and right.

You may lose your will to fight,

But you cannot lose my love.

You will lose your confidence.

In times of trial, your common sense.

You may lose your innocence,

But you cannot lose my love.

Many things can be misplaced;

Your very memories be erased.

No matter what the time or space,

You cannot lose my love.

You cannot lose,

You cannot lose,

You cannot lose my love."

I also added it to my song list...so you can listen too.   It's a good one, eh?  (Come on...I know someone cried...I did!)

And I quote...

"Everyday, think as you wake up, ‘today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can.’"  --  the Dalai Lama

thx stock xchng

Picture(s) of the Week

Ok...I know I said I'd post a "picture of the week" of something that has been keeping us busy.  So far....haven't done it, eh?  So here are several pics of the week to make up for it.

Play on, play-ah!

Awake.

I never thought I'd say this.  I mean, after all, if anyone could compete with Rip Van Winkle for hours of sleep required...that would be me.  But I'm going to say it anyway.  I'm awake.  Ok, Master of the Obvious, stop cackling.  I heard you.  Of course you're awake...you're blogging, aren't you?  But that's not what I mean.  I mean....I'm awake.  AWAKE.  Or perhaps I should say....awakened.

I don't know what it is.  I can't explain it.  Ever since Finley was born I have felt completely different.  Content.  Complete.  Alive.  Not that I didn't feel all these things before....but now it's in such an energetic and spiritual way that it is difficult for me to comprehend.  Maybe it's because we are done having babies.  I mean, before Finley was born, I just felt like someone was missing.  (Enter, Chopper.  PS...it wasn't him that was missing.  No offense, dog.)  Knowing that our family is complete is a wonderful feeling.  Let the next chapter begin!

Since I feel as though I am starting a new journey...I have decided to make a commitment to myself.  You know, with commitments, it's better to share them.  That way you have to live them out and not be all talk.  So here is my new life rule and promise to myself.

I promise to nourish & strengthen my mind, body, and spirit. 

In other words....I will exercise.  I will eat better.  I will be kinder.  I will introduce others to God.  I will volunteer.  I will build a stronger relationship with the Lord.  I will be a better role model for my children. I will read something other than People Magazine.  I will simplify.  I will rectify. 

As you can see...I have a lot to get done.  But don't we all?  And I'm not talking about cleaning the house, doing the laundry, or going to the grocery.  These things will all get done in time.  I mean...I have things to get done! 

Better get moving...