Where is Your Mind?

I began to consider where my thoughts tend to go...

In my mind's wanderings do I spend more time in the past, the present or the future?

When I have a few 'free' moments, what do I think about?  Do I re-live past successes or walk through regrets, re-playing the moments and changing the things I would do differently?  Do I spend it on plans for today?  Do I spend it on hopes for the future?  Formulating goals?  Picturing what might be?

As I began to 'take notice' of the wanderings of my mind, I was a bit concerned about what I found out about myself; my thoughts tend to revolve around the past and future MORE than focus on the present!

If this is the case, I do not think that I can be making the most of the time at hand.

As is the case with life, BALANCE is a key to productive living - so it is true in this area of musings of the mind - BALANCE.

There is a time to review our past to glean as much from it as possible to grow and become more of who we are meant to be.  There is also a time to ponder what's ahead, setting appropriate goals and plans to grow and become more of who we are meant to be.

However, it seems to me that it is a great distraction to living life to it's fullest potential right NOW to be out of whack with our thoughts.

I am newly making considerable efforts in re-aligning my thoughts to dwell in the here and now instead of trailing backwards or forwards.

I cannot change the past and other than learning from it I shouldn't dwell there.  I cannot worry about tomorrow (today has enough worries of it's own) and other than being smart today so that tomorrow will not carry the mistakes of today into it and cause problems I shouldn't dwell there either.

I will take today and dwell there both physically and mentally realizing that living in the present will create a greater opportunity for me to be who I am meant to be - less distracted and manipulated by thoughts of the past and future.

Much Joy

I have found that I am full of thankfulness for the joy of being a mom to some wonderful kids.

The joy is really quite inexpressible.

Sometimes seasons come upon us, seasons that bring with them the unique elements that accompany that season.  Among an array of signs and components that make up this season for me, is this amazing heart-happy appreciation for my children.

Watching them grow and learn and think.  Living with their antics and insights.  Sharing love and hopes and dreams.  Walking through challenges and trials and hurts.  Journeying over bridges and mountains and deserts.  Journeying through refreshing springs and meadows.  Looking ahead together.  Together.

I find that many times I am surprised by what treasures are found in odd little places.  I find treasures in spring - the beauty of re-emerging growth and greenery.  I find treasures in words - spoken with kind hearts and with love.  I find treasures in movement - walking forward, journeying toward growth.  I find treasures in closeness - cuddles with little hands, butterfly kisses and teen hugs (and of course shoulder rubs).  Yes, treasures in odd little places.  Treasures in the midst.

What great treasures that I have in these wonderful children.  Beyond words, treasures that breathe amazing life into my lungs.  Giving me nourishment to live out loud.

Thanks guys.  I love you.

Count Your Blessings... Something Old, Something New

Books, of course.

I have found many blessings at the hands of books, old ones and new ones.  Currently, I have a little stack on my nightstand:  The Lost Books of the Bible, The One Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, Sitting Still by Patricia Hart Clifford, Alone Together by Sherry Turckle and The Bible.

Something old:

Well, the Bible would fulfill this one - the Lost Books of the Bible as well.  I would have to put the St. John of the Cross book in the semi-old category.

Something new:

The One Straw Revolution is a book about a Japanese farmer who doesn't cultivate, till, fertilize per say, use chemicals or weed and has tremendous success.  He's a bit of a thinker/philosopher and worth the read whether you are interested in his 'no-farming' methods of farming or not.

Alone Together is subtitled Why We Expect More from Technology and Less From Each Other.  Sherry Turkle is a psychoanalytic psychologist who has been studying the effects of technology on mankind for many years.  Oh, very interesting indeed!

Sitting Still is a book about christian meditation and one woman's pursuit of what she calls 'Christian zen'.  This book drew my attention because of my deep desire to grow in my quietness before the Lord.  I have only gotten through the introduction so far, but am looking forward to getting into the encouragement of the book.

I don't know what my problem is, but I usually have several books going at once.  I've often thought I should and even planned on limiting myself to one at a time.  It seems that it would be better to focus on one and get all that you can out of it and then move on.  I can't seem to accomplish that goal.

These types of books keep me thinking.  Keep me challenged.  They give me encouragement.  They truly are blessings.

I think that it's an interesting conversation starter to ask someone what they have been reading.  It tells us something about one another.

From me to you, many continued reading blessings!

Simplicity!

I finished reading the book Abundant Simplicity by Jan Johnson.  It was a terrific book and gave me much to consider as I walk out my days.

I have always had a leaning toward simplicity, at least my definition of simplicity.

Leigha's Dictionary


simplicity (n):  living in a way that is capitalizing on making the most of what is needed to provide a healthy environment for productive and positive living.  Not being 'cluttered' with extra distractions stuff/activities/noise that are not needed for a healthy environment.  Having and living with the right balance of stuff/activities/noise that are needed for a healthy environment.


With understanding that we are all unique, this simplicity is different for us all.  It changes for each of us as we journey through life.

It is important to me not to be distracted from what matters most to me because of too much stuff/activities/noise...  I want to seize hold of this concept and make changes that would lead me into a simpler lifestyle that would cut out those extra 'stuff/activities/noise' that are hinderances and not helps.

Finding that balance in the days is vital for me to seek the life that I feel called to live - making the most of my time and ending my journey feeling like life was not leading me, but that I was leading it.  Leading it as I felt that God was calling me to.

I have often thought of life like a river.  The 'action' of physical living is in the midst of the river - out in the current.  I don't like being dragged along by the current - even though that seems to be where most people are, where a lot is going on.  I have a definite sense that I am supposed to be out of the current and up on the bank.  It may not be where the 'action' is, but it's where I'm supposed to be.  Living simply.

It's easier said than done.  There is not a formula for this.  And it changes as we change.  But, during this time of seriously searching myself and finding me, I am desirous more than ever to make this a reality in my life.  So, off I go to seize what I know I should seize and be active in making my life simple.