Living simply for me engages the senses. The closer I am to the earth, then the simpler things seem to be. I mean, I enjoy home cooked food and food that is grown in a home-based garden or meat that is fed and cared for naturally and freely in my own fields; food that is canned in my own kitchen. What a simple joy it is to know that we and God created the food on our tables. Oh, if we could only provide it all!
Our yard is filled with chickens and guineas. It's not unusual to see this farm-girl waving her apron while running out front to chase the guineas away from Route 11. One of our girls already got slaughtered by a speeding car or truck. Anyway, today our oldest goat, Oreo, escaped her enclosure. Henry separated the girls recently awaiting kidding time. We were afraid that Oreo, in her croney state, would kill new kids, since she didn't get to have any this year. (We decided to retire her.) About 10 a.m. we received a call from our neighbor to let us know that she was happily grazing his yard. When she saw me coming up the fence line she hitched her giddyap and came to me. She is now in a smaller prison yard for a few weeks until all the kids are here and able to run fast enough to escape her.
Anyway, continuing with simplicity. Simplicity is also the smells of the outside. I find the smell of freshly wind dried sheets to be a balm for sleep. While I am not fond of ironing, I still like hanging my clothes out, most of the time.
Simplicity is also a sense of practicality. Around the farm you'll find me in long, full dresses and aprons. They are practical by being cool in the summer and warm in the winter as well as providing a huge area to carry veges or herbs from the garden or berries from the patch or, as mentioned before, chasing wayward flocks.
But simplicity is also about being thoughtful of others. We could, if we wanted, live alot "bigger" than we do. We could drive newer cars, eat better brands, buy bigger and better stuff. But, if we did that, then we couldn't help those less fortunate than we are as much as we do. Somehow, simplicity seems right when there are those hungry, sick, naked or homeless in other places. I should help them and I couldn't do that if I lived large.
Yet, there are ways we don't live simply, as well. I am a coffee snob. I don't care for pre-ground coffee, even though, currently we are drinking it. I will use every opportunity to buy beans when I find them easily. I also still buy too much stuff. I love thrift stores and books and it's a weakness, I admit. I expect I could save hundreds of dollars a year if I quit buying clothes at thrift stores and books online and elsewhere. I also have a new hobby and it's pretty costly. We won't talk about that at the moment, but take my word for it, it isn't cheap. I also am a freak about Tupperware. I love their storage possibilities and buy too much of it. These are areas I want to work on ~ to eliminate further temptations. I am currently dieting, so am dropping clothing sizes every few months. My goal is to get rid of two pieces for every piece of clothing I buy. So far it's a failed goal, but at least I'm thinking in that direction. I've developed some new cleaning habits and techniques that are working well for me at present. That is helpful all around, as I'm tending to de-clutter a little more often. So, I'm working on doing better at simplicity and wastefulness. I still have a long way to go, but the spirit is willing.
So, in a nutshell, we are trying live more simply. There is a far road ahead, but we are, in our estimation, further along than most. But, time will tell.
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain:
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
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