Seeking Simplicity

My son had a friend sleep over last weekend. The next morning, I pried them away from the video games for a walk to the rope swing in the forest by our house. They immediately fell into imagination play mode. I could only catch little snippets of the world they were creating centered around the tree swing, something about swinging over water to catch a bad guy. I sat near by, in the shade, just watching.

The ease with which play came to them was enviable. A tree, a rope, and their unburdened minds was all they needed. The simplicity of childhood they showed me was assuring.
I have been seeking simplicity in my own life. Intentionally saying no to things that bring me joy but also distraction is not easy. After many years of always doing more, taking on more responsibilities, over committing myself, I am slowly stepping out of that cycle. I am no longer a follower of the “you can have it all” philosophy or eager participant in the Lean In movement popularized by Cheryl Sandberg. It can’t be debated that leaning into one thing in your life means leaning away from another.
I have less than ten more years with my son before he will probably leave for college. I don’t know how much longer I have with my dog who has been by my side for the last 14 and a half years. These are the things I need to lean into, not some notion for what it takes to get ahead. Why and what of are we getting ahead?
So, cheers to seeking simplicity, may we recognize the expansiveness in a life unshackled by the desire to do and be more. I think we’re cheating ourselves in the end, because a simple life isn’t equal to a small life. Maybe that’s my hard learned realization, simplicity doesn’t mean insignificant, it allows you to show up more fully in your chosen life for others and for yourself.

Tomorrow’s class: Nature Journaling - Birds in the Garden. There are only a few spots left so grab a seat before they’re gone!