Happenings from the Bush homestead

Simplicity?

Simplicity is not how fast one can get something done.  Or how easily it is to do something.

• To me simplicity is not dinner from a box, it is a home cooked pot of soup and homemade bread.   It is not a cake mix, but a cake made from scratch.
• Simplicity is not wanting more stuff, but learning how to enjoy and appreciate what I have.  Sometimes, this is not easy. 
• It is not using the tv as a babysitter contantly, but instead it is being outside working together or teaching my daughters how to cook or bake or read with them.
• It is standing at the ironing board getting the wrinkles out.  This gives me prayer time.  Worship time.  Quiet (sometimes) time.  A small way to care for my family.
• It is schooling my children at the kitchen table. 
• Sewing my daughters dresses and other things.
• Living a simple life, is not the easy way.  Doing things at a slower pace.  Not being involved in every possible activity.  But instead, going for a walk or reading a book with my family.  Being content with what we have.

Many people would say that this can not be a simpler life.  There is more to do.  More cooking, more laundry duties, more cleaning chores, etc.  But, I am at home.  My children are with me.  For the most part, I do have stressfull days, I enjoy these things. 

I've been thinking more about how be more simple.  I'm tired off the stuff.  Our home is very small and there are 7 people livining in it.  2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom.  We have toooo much stuff.  Even for as little as we do have.  It's too much sometimes.  Trying to figure out what else can go is hard sometimes.  With the addition of the cabinets and some plastic boxes for each child to keep under their bed with their special things, it is looking better. 

I am hoping to build a kitchen table for us after our trip West.  Our current table just has the legs propped up undernieth it.  If it gets bumped even slighty, it falls over.  Great fun.

I kind of lost where I was going with this.  *lol*  Living simply isn't living easily.

Untitled Comment

2:32 PM, Friday 26 May 2006 .. Posted by glenda

I agree with you all the way.. It means to me being able to live life and love liveing.. To be with your kids and enjoy them while they are small and as they grow... To be with your husband and him being your friend. This is the simple life i love...
glenda

Wonderful!

3:03 PM, Friday 26 May 2006 .. Posted by IntheGarden

I love your thoughts on simple living. Best of luck on your paring down what you have....we are doing that now and it is hard to know sometimes what to keep and what to get rid of. I keep thinking how much better a room will look or how peaceful it will "feel" when excess is gone, kwim?
Blessings, Heather

Untitled Comment

4:17 PM, Friday 26 May 2006 .. Posted by Carol

I too agree with what you said. Living simply for me means living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest. I've been paring down for years and still I'm not where I want to be. I always loved the statement "less is more". It's a wonderful journey living a simple life.
~Carol

Untitled Comment

11:55 AM, Saturday 27 May 2006 .. Posted by Marcia

So very true, Jen. Well said.