Simple has become one of my favorite words. Making my clothing simple, my home simple, my skincare simple...each one of these endeavors has influenced my thinking beyond the scope of the project itself. As things become more simple, fog lifts, priorities shift + values come into focus. Over time this can offer a sort of settling to the mind. I long for simplicity to inject all aspects of my life with this sense of peace.
And yet, I find that much of what feels unsettled within has to do with two opposing forces pushing + pulling. There is goodness to the practice of slowing down + focusing in on small moments that bring us joy. A tiny, new leaf in spring or a smile from a stranger can flood our spirits with elation. At the same time, there is goodness in zooming out enough to understand our smallness. A giant cumulus cloud or bright light near the moon (that must be a planet!) can jolt our gloom into perspective.
I like using my creative skills + passion at work. It makes me feel like I'm creating beauty, contributing to a team + have purpose. And I need blocks of gentle, spacious time to refuel + to use my creative skills + passion in different directions. In order to find wellbeing, I need to stay engaged with thoughts toward where + how I am spending my energy.
I've been coming to realizations like this over + over again. There is no simplifying to the point of settling some (maybe most) things in this life. Being alive involves almost constant readjusting, rebalancing + rethinking. Knowing my simple, overall objective (love!) certainly helps move me toward peace, but I cannot simplify myself into complete stillness + rest. Life is engagement with things like:
Ram Dass wrote, "You can do it like it's a great weight on you, or you can do it like it's part of the dance." I guess I'm also trying to remember that the dance is not optional.
Love,
Jane
And yet, I find that much of what feels unsettled within has to do with two opposing forces pushing + pulling. There is goodness to the practice of slowing down + focusing in on small moments that bring us joy. A tiny, new leaf in spring or a smile from a stranger can flood our spirits with elation. At the same time, there is goodness in zooming out enough to understand our smallness. A giant cumulus cloud or bright light near the moon (that must be a planet!) can jolt our gloom into perspective.
I like using my creative skills + passion at work. It makes me feel like I'm creating beauty, contributing to a team + have purpose. And I need blocks of gentle, spacious time to refuel + to use my creative skills + passion in different directions. In order to find wellbeing, I need to stay engaged with thoughts toward where + how I am spending my energy.
I've been coming to realizations like this over + over again. There is no simplifying to the point of settling some (maybe most) things in this life. Being alive involves almost constant readjusting, rebalancing + rethinking. Knowing my simple, overall objective (love!) certainly helps move me toward peace, but I cannot simplify myself into complete stillness + rest. Life is engagement with things like:
- zooming in + zooming out
- focused work + gentle, spacious time
- movement + rest
- effort + acceptance
Ram Dass wrote, "You can do it like it's a great weight on you, or you can do it like it's part of the dance." I guess I'm also trying to remember that the dance is not optional.
Love,
Jane
