I would like to say, “ditto” to Kevin’s answer- also to another comment that resonates with me, about being able to speak truth in a mindful non-harming way, living thus simply in harmony without confusion, & I would add speaking truth without judgement- for people including myself to listen well, and in the moment, simply, with open ears and minds… perhaps life would truly be more harmonious, with love, connection, all is part of living well, and faith is my core first . The question in itself defining how living in a simple life for me ,brings thoughts and words, a need to say and share them, to connect with others and to learn more from them.
It is a theme that truly is how I could simplify my life. To live in peace within, with self-love and love of others, to simply ask God each day to “take me”, and be a guide throughout each day , to hold gratitude and to keep it always as well as share it with others- to keep it full yet simple.
This would better-define life, throw in daily time- for-self to achieve my best work toward this intentional life. Journaling my gratitude daily, writing for perhaps a set creative time as its like work, meditating, and daily yoga practice, is key to my inner happiness, peace, and love for self and others. It may seem complicated yet really “simplicity” may always elude us if we base it on not the inner self-work but rather the clutter, and how many things we “need” to do, the divided attention that stress, of piles of work before us yet to do, or our long list of Holiday

Nature is a great teacher and healer for me. I love the times early in the morning outside on our front porch with bird song, their sweet visits to our feeders in the trees, hummingbirds’ antics, and fresh air that is becoming slightly cooler each day. Sunset is the other time I seek and find home to catch day’s end with Jim 99% of the ones when we are at the beach house. There we walk a few blocks to our old Whaler skiff, pointing her bow slowly to the southwest in fading light, toward our beloved protected island for a walk along the shore, in solitude most days.
Often we are simply slipping quietly through the water seeking what the low-cast rays of light will catch in the circling ripples, maybe seeing porpoise families off the beam, our seabirds heading home to estuaries while we talk about our lives that moment, that day .
It’s carried over now as late afternoon ritual when we are sitting outside together at our farmhouse, where sundown is a delightful, quiet, time to take stock, watching the changing light around the distant hills and farms, as we always make it home knowing of the sheer comfort and love it holds , and a priority to be back sharing this time. Clouds are puffing up as if snowy ridges toward the SE, others catching the late day’s brilliant colors of sun rays pink, orange, and red, as they reflect the light. Despite the day’s events, the world’s Hurricanes at our doors lately, though spared, yet not so for our distant friends in Texas, Florida, and more recently the Virgin Islands, this time spent well surrounded by nature’s power and beauty always brings the finest form of comfort in the solitude of the day’s end, knowing that all happens as intended, and that we have done all that can be done for this moment.
Jim and I each find our favorite part of the day, whether it’s alone or together . First thing in the morning, if lucky, we are witness to unusual sights, while the silent, cooler air on soft drafts moving it upward around our house creates an incredibly fleeting meditative time. The shift in temperatures those days brings a surprise by a vision of pre-dawn fog that lies low in the fields until the sun’s rays become dominant , with their sudden disappearance that moves like a wave across the view slowly, escaping our camera’s view.
By evening, all are blessed even on our “bluest” days, as we are seemingly cleansed by moon rise upon a new evening of rising stars speaking of better times to come. All feels right within.

SHARE KNOWLEDGE! People are out there needing support, others who can guide them, using kindness as you help or share your own life. We all are about how to achieve goals of various types, and expand our minds, perhaps as well as honing their lives and skills needing less tools in the box. It’s how I have learned to find and design, work, plan, work toward being organized- through people I love, know, or hire, including online sites I read or blog with and such. My yoga and knowledge of meditation has been learned from people as well as books, online blogs and sites, and I have found much help in my years studying and practicing this beautiful practice.. Through my focus I am more concentrated now on simplifying and organizing what I need in terms of things, using them to design our home, and prioritizing my needs in life:to make it a path that is amazing always, incredible, beautiful, spiritual, that provides a never-ending journey that always is open to new ideas or concepts. I believe to maintain this kind of life with gratitude at the core, my growing love of myself and of others is enough.

Wow, beautiful, Aine, THenry, and all friends gathered here as usual bring such beautiful connections through words, photgraphs, art, and gratitude. I am so grateful to see the reflections here, where I was drawn when returning to my gratitude journal once again, finding Light from beneath the overwhelming hill of details that are – afterall, more easily recognized when we know that Life consists of but is not just about “things”, but about one another. We are not alone as we experience the world. What our Faith really consists of is how it’s intended to be lived by- holding gratitude and compassion to live well
To draw clear-sight in view when seeking answers to questions,
how to make a difference daily small or large?
Your God is always here, for the asking and for giving,
as we practice.
Moments that cause us to falter are bound to be, thus through our life’s practice find support to lean upon, just as we offer our support to others seeking when we are strong. This is what is important. Blessings and healing to all~

Thank you, Ed….recently I learned some of this coming from that same part of the Bible in John, read and discussed in an amazing way, by the Reverend Stanley, who broadcasts from his church and live sermons each Sunday, from Atlanta, Ga. He has seemed to become, at age 83? years old, now found still strong and yes seen weekly though apparently no longer a standing-reverend in that church…he was with his own son, also a Minister and they are always in a very active discussion around Faith and often the Bible, in a fireside-style discussion over the course of an hour.
He is very sharp and active, reading and writing, before and after his Sunday morning series. I know someone who lived in Atlanta for decades and she actually went to his church. She keeps up with his ministry long distance, as he is televised. I now found him to be one powerful man in his understanding and discussions of the Bible, though I admit learning that he is Baptist initially I had doubts. He now helps me understand more than I imagined about my own Faith in the Christian Church. I must have started seeing him through new fresh eyes and found myself always seeking him out every Sunday! Not to be missed.
It is unusual also to find people who, like you, have knowledge of the great connections between others who lived and/or were prophets around the birth and life of Jesus. It does truly span a huge part of the world and various backgrounds that we cannot imagine. I want to return to and listen again to their broadcast of last Sunday, 16th of Dec., again as they discussed the simple yet incredible story of Jesus’, that night that had connections to others, and extended around the large area and countries then, of his birth. I was stunned at his insights, and ability to express them to others.

Bree, I find such amazing people here. I am grateful for you ,as well. We all bring something to the table here, we support one another, even when we are not always present though want to be! There is only connection through compassion within the core group who are resonating with you.
It is so difficult dealing with your own pain and events that brought you to this place. I do not know how much you have been through, or what it means- I know a friend from childhood who has been through a most un-imaginable accident on her motorcycle. She and I spoke, she shared her many surgeries, over the course of 2 years, her P. T., her O. T., her faith and lack-there-of at times, her amazing partner who now may be not in the picture— people understand who have been there.
It is above and beyond my own experience, no comparisons.
My understanding of pain was for decades, clearly based on living with and/or near my best two friends in life. She was my closest friend since high-school, college, out of college, back in, marriages and loss of and birth of children.. We shared much of one another’s lives that was often around how she grew up and lived with often constant pain. Not me yet. Then it was her husband, constant pain and living in an active or often, not so much, life – I understand how it is different for us all. We can choose to reach out, as you have, and receive more help and I do believe it is the only way to help one cope. What they each experienced was unreal though my mind , as I was present, I listened and they to me, as they helped me through many life experiences that were 1st how to support a beloved one traumatized then injured through addiction, which then was not accepted as a disease. That was a huge lesson, also witnessing & supporting him through both good and health and the hardest of pain and losses; I learned a lot from them.
My past 15 or so years has been a gradual process dealing with a progressive degenerative disc disorder. Without others’ sharing and being so close as they dealt with life-long pain, I don’t know how I could have been able to learn to be kind to myself, to also be non-judgmental, to always seek best help and constantly being pro-active without over-aware of self! Whew, sorry, a long sentence to sum up a couple of decades. I am blessed that my passions are possibly helping me, as I believe that I can help heal myself, there are ways for each person. For me, it was initially physical activities, all kinds when able to, landing in yoga and mediation before my diagnosis; I have also worked with an outstanding counselor, who has an M. S. W. degree like my husband’s so I understand how much they are able to do for people rather than the also-necessary sometimes -psychiatrists — but she was a real Light Worker energy healer! I was so supported, helped, healed, learning how to find ways to live that helps me, and we shared a love for yoga and a desire for my deeper development of more time in meditation, plus the 30-45 min. of her body work- light work is based on , like Reiki but different , energy through God and only while in a safe protected environment I learned much about. I know it is possible to work on self-healing, I seem to have that ability uncovered already though many of us hold it! It’s based on what we know and learn about, through guidance, if we want to. She worked with me through many situations in life, including family difficulties, personal anxiety and depression, and also of course : pain. Do take good care of your self, and know that it is the only thing you or any of us can do- to be loving of self, and then of others. I wish you a good time ahead and healing. Remember you are loved, and love others- I need to be reminded of this, as well. I know that you will be constantly in many people’s good work and prayers, wishes, including my own..

I must say ,Hot Sauce , that this is right-on, and resonates with myself, as well. First, yes I belong to a “4-walled church” as I have mentioned before, and don’t attend regularly. My farm and nature-surround and yoga/meditation actually restores me to my Faith, and God, and even my Lord Savior, though I openly recognize and believe all religions are one if they are in true work and belief in Peace and only positive elements of life and death. I miss the music at Christmas, and am thinking making the Christmas Eve service part of our family’s more simple Christmas this year. I hope as you, that I may look to the overall experience in a new way, through Fresh Eyes.
Star Wars- “the End of Jedi”- was an amazing movie as I knew it would be- though I am so grateful that, although it was before this daily question came out about fresh eyes ,indeed had them. I received so much more than I could even expect or imagine. I am a fan, love them from day one and have followed all and want to also go back again to seek the connections. This one by far, was, the BEST 0ne ever, for me and many others I believe as they discuss it, and “fresh eyes” is the best way for sure to see it. I was totally lost into it, found deep resonating spiritual and religious meaning, enjoyed every second and retrieved so much from it on the highest, spiritual level. I hope you do, as well! May The Force be with you and all here! I needed to hear it again, and understand once more even more deeply what this all is about and how it reflects our world existing with both Good and Evil. The Force is no new surprise- it simply is representation of the constantly present energy through (I know it means GOD), and no one can actually “own” or “be” the force, as it is our God of the Universe through which everything comes…..no spoilers, so love it! Best to you!

Agreed if God and Christianity were the only religion and faith in our world. I hesitated to reply but other than writing the online staff here to write you, it may be better-heard from someone who is in this community that your comments a we attempt here to make our wording clear, that we are a population online of different people world-wide from all,religions or have none, by their own free-choice. Since this is an open, global, varied community that we enter through no-fear, and with respect of others, and with mutual trust and through Gratefulness.org. David himself might have a better way to address you about your answer excluding the rest of the population who also believe very strongly in peaceful worship, but not as you do. n God, and peace, but aren’t following Christians into Christmas rather they will be following the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah, Muslims who indeed believe in God and in peace, don’t celebrate Christmas, Buddhists have their own celebrations and do bielieve in the Afterlife- but not Christmas…I’m sure you see the list continues of good faith-full people and may understand. I know and remember my Jewish friends @Christmas in public school- it’s appalling how it directly impacted them, making them feel “different”, and that still continues IF we as a community of self-aware and loving, non-judgmental

Perfect, Kevin – I agree 100%, no kidding. It takes much dedication to be what is reflected by our actions that comes from within, and being able to see past “things”, as I have lived with less stuff and with more stuff- -now that I think about it, I’m the same person either way. If I feel that I’m out of balance, it may appear to be “stuff” that’s too much when actually it’s coming from within, how much I pay attention to being at peace, grateful, centered, showing and living through gratitude and in harmony with self and love of self and others. I could not have realized this or expressed it without your words! thank you, gratitude for you – (p. s. didn’t know you are Quaker, I believe that your faith must be so strong as your comments are always spot-on, and said kindly, humbly, in well-written ways as you also are gifted as a writer!…and I grew up and still live as a Presbyterian, as best I am able, and seek a true understanding of what God knows we can live by – of course being human, we do our best and still may miss something- but I think you “got it”! Let me say that I acknowledge and accept and respect all religions and faiths that live in working for Peace- I also love and acknowledge my friends and fellow people on earth who are not of like-minds with loving hearts and still themselves are instruments of peace- though I honestly believe it would be a more difficult life to live without faith in a Higher Power- as is said in A.A. I do not normally attend my home-church & go to it & other ones from time to time- they all speak to my soul in the same profound way. I know there is energy in numbers, & I do know that my childhood spending much time in our church in a loving-though pretty-much-expected-by-my-devoted-family way???????? truly gave me the path that I have picked-up where I was when younger and left home for college, when naturally I lived- in or outside of a university setting- through many challenges and lessons & changes for years – so I imagine I always had the same path that was always there with me, & I just found it on my own picking it up more newly aware & mindfully .It’s this that I continue on always, never ever-ending , always revealing these answers to such questions that help us be our better-selves & living in harmony, simply, as we find our way. thank you

I love how you said this, Patjos, as I feel I must be “off”somehow by not sticking to a set routine- although it is known by many to help one begin and use their day well, still we have a lot of room as individuals to figure out what is best for us. Earlier up is better, giving us more time for reflection, meditation,prayer, writing, leading to next hours of working- which means several different things to me including planning a list for the day, *(” a ten-minute, tops ,”must”), feeding creatures awakening, starting laundry and such, selecting a time for a yoga practice in town, then doing my best to achieve the list as the morning and day progress. It’s a lovely, flexible concept which is why I still love it, and with the best of intentions I have a list in hand, timing planned allowing hopefully for time to “smell the flowers” in passing as well as talking to people along the way throughout the day. I LOVE it that each day is indeed different!

YES, my own Mom, RIP, grew up in Canton, N. C. near Asheville so we would make that trip often from our childhood hometown, Reidsville, N. C. It is dear to me still! We are not far , about 3 hours from our farm, taking I-40W. Our farmhouse is 9 mi. w. of Chapel Hill. I do love the water, as well, and was happy to see your photos, sending still prayers for your healing and comfort. It was like coming to home when I began writing here again, and seeing you after months being away, it felt like picking up where we left off though much has happened to us all, I love this groups so much- safely writing, and friending people online is something I enjoy. Anyway, joy, I remembered your then-upcoming surgery. Loved the photo,it was great! I am a mountain and landlubber by birth, married my husband who is a coastal native, sailor and surfer, from Jacksonville, N. C., he was an under-grad. @ UNC-W N. C. We met when he was in his last year earning his MSW, UNC-Chapel Hill. A sailboat with our later young family aboard was a consistent passion and part of life. I always did and still treasure that time now , with our kids, their friends, when young as well as still now with them as adult-kids, on any or most available vacations. It did not really matter which of the stepping stones of 3 boats we were aboard. Each one was a bit longer, easier to keep under balance, offering more space for speed outside or below, for sleeping and living. We, mainly Jim, learned to handle them with many passages aboard, then every five or ten yrs. we felt ready for a bit larger boat to accommodate our desired longer trips.. There is a consistent pattern though we look at dozens sometimes, of choosing older-built classic sailboats but that are in tremendous shape because an owner, or more than one, took care of it. Now we are often taking daytrips and longer, on our 42′ S. V. Shamrock , of a noble older type my husband could tell in detail about. We looked at her a few years across the creek in her slip from our’s, knew the owner who was always working aboard, and he eventually decided to sell her. It was meant to be. She is one of perhaps 2,000 or less of this model built , made in the ’70’s and has circumnavigated the globe w/ her previous owner.
The Shamrock is 2 1/2 hrs. from the farm along the ICW near our beach (home for sell). I love now being in-between the coast, and our family’s farm of 25 years, where we are setting up house again now. I loved living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, during my college years, working during summers and an in-between year when I needed time off to be decided and committed to my major.
I was surprised on a weekend trip to Asheville last year, to see the amount of roads, out-lying towns, around Asheville, as well as Boone and Blowing Rock which means highly developed in just the last 10-20 years. Still, you find the same streets with the history originally learned, and will always find an amazing downtown center, which draws creative people, artists – including as you know- photographers, and musicians all who seem to have always been drawn there. There are now more yogis, healers, spiritual and religious centers that have historically called this area home.
We are more comfortable now knowing that home is where our pillows lie, especially if tucked in anchorages along our coastline where the sea turtles are spotted as they swim to the surface and take an audible breath with the sunrise, and wild ponies are seen on the more-inland islands near Beaufort, N. C. place. The few passages we have also taken to Charleston, S. C. have been equally as incredible.
Please do write about where you do the rowing! I know that it would be forbidden for me to take out my kayak, so this morning’s gratitude is for the many things I can experience, leaving the blue water sailing to others, sailing along the calmer waters, though look forward to traveling and perhaps being an on-boat-docks yoga instructor before too long, as I practice here in N. C. My back’s “issues”,( as we call it in yoga where all things are positive and possible), are different than yours’ and I so am wishing you a speedy recovery and that you are able to one day return to what you love about your life in any form or fashion.
It will always be a wonderful experience for you whether along the docks, riding along, or rowing your way when you are able to! THAT will be a photo to post! Namaste’

Hi, Gina, nice to find another fan here. I am totally blessed. Also do find his site, called “Rivers Run… ?” sorry, something , just do search you will see it, when you google him as it stands out w/ the word “Rivers”. It is the one he explained to me to find & order books, and where he could be more easily caught to sign them for me. A dear person, typically shy I can see that, and yet so at ease talking, quoting most of his work by total memory, reading some of the newer things- we learned about his life, painful times of depression and bouts of not able to write, great times with then the loss of his closest friend who was a Priest and also Irish, (they walked those craggy paths to the pubs and such!), I know you have read some about Michael.
IF you do go, I will love to hear from you! I also have been wanting to do this, if it is in anyway possible for people like me who were always athletic, strong spirited and in Faith, now cannot do the long walking nor carrying heavy things since my spine has a degenerative disc disorder – I may not even qualify!
If it were you, I would find the money, doing anything it took to make it, pray to be accepted, and go for it! I can only dream I fear.
His writing about his beloved daughter, when she was a small baby or child, the light of his life – so beautiful. His obvious devotion to his work and audience keeps one’s attention, left wanting more.
His first book Jim liked very much, “The Heart Aroused”, given to him by a colleague in the company’s learning and education department, as they were close in both age, at the time were doing similar work, and apparently had very similar values while working within large corporations. I had not seen nor read him until the day I had a pair of tickets to take a close friend living there in S. C. and we were mesmerized as two days flew by with listening to and having brief chats with him as he signed some books for us.
He often posts his work on Facebook. I am surprised lately to see less of that, and I share any he puts up always with a perfect work of art along with. I don’t think I have ever met someone in a different venue like this before, who knew of him! I was thrilled to see that among our daily quotes sent by email, from Gratefulness site, 2 have been by him. Best of luck to see him! I have more stories of him, his home at Whidbey Island north of Seattle, Wa., where he hosted a group Jim had attended set up at a rustic camp on the island, where people met and not sure why as he , David, would entertain, do some reading, and leave them off to themselves- he was a catalyst I suppose. Jim has a group of a few there that formed and get together, on Skype and in person, to work on various projects and/or write, discuss, creative work about a mission they may do.
Take care! Thanks for letting me write!~

Hi, Palm, I love that- the other thing that a woman can do is to not be always saying ” I am sorry!”, in particular, when it is not even appropriate, plus as you just wrote, to not explain herself! Thanks, languaging is important, how we say things reflects who we are when often it is not even true. To stop saying, “trying”, as in ” I am trying to work on that…”, and say instead, “I am working on that…”. is another example of using positive stronger words that can change our lives and those of others. I have found myself saying how sorry I am all of my life!

Michael, you are amazing doing this- it is a much-needed person like you that will help in efforts to save us from ourselves, our President, and switching gears toward helping those firstly in need of the basics, as you say- very very needed right now. Everyone can find a single way if that is a start, find it. Everyday, contribute some writing, sharing articles and journalism especially now as facts that we were receiving hints about before are now truth with sources to be learned about. I also want everyone to have the mind-set you describe, yet I know there are still many people who will either never be convinced that change is due now, and then others who are the victims of this world sadly and literally starving without the resources or knowledge of how to receive them. Thanks for this. I have MISSED writing here!

Gratitude for these true words, Aine. I would love to add you to my community, I have been away for awhile. Your words resonate here. I have always been grateful for my abilities and truly believe that considering where I was, have grown to be along the way, that still there is much that I took for granted despite my prayers, meditation, and writing for gratitude. Again, love your words, and hope you are healing well. Sending you peace, love, connection and that you feel this around you as such a support! Debbie

Hi, Anna, and thank you! It is amazing the people like you, looking for me, and finding my first post! Amazing. Gratitude for you and for the ones here who share their lives, often bare their very souls, as we all are in this life together. I hope that you are doing well! I will catch up with each of you. My iPhone totally died this past week; was here at the farm w/ my son, and we celebrated Mothers’ Day minus husband and the older son who is traveling in Japan, then all of the sudden it is all gone, photos were thank Heavens backed up to Hard Drive, I did not have my cloud working and doubt I will ever again as it failed as well. Anyway, nothing compared to the rest of my life! I am behind though and lost correspondence and contacts that will take time to retrieve/replace. Let me hear how you are, dear Anna, thank you again!