Saturday, August 24, 2013

Simplicity


 
“He who can give thanks for little will always find he has enough” (Anonymous)

Sometimes it is easy to forget the little things in life that we should be thankful for, but if we take a few minutes to reflect on the good things that are in our lives, like…

·         Daily conversations with God…

·         Time spent with family and friends…

·         The first perfect cup of coffee in the morning…

·         Sleeping in on a rainy day…

·         Making someone smile…

·         Taking a bubble bath…

·         A comfortable bed to sink into…

…maybe our hearts would find more opportunities to celebrate the simplest things that happen every day!

The key to a happy and fulfilled life is not about achieving and having more, or obtaining power and authority, it’s all about being able to enjoy the smaller and simpler pleasures that can bring just as much joy and feelings of fulfillment as the larger things. Our attempts to “do it all”, “have it all”, and “be it all” have created a life that burdens us with too much, moves too fast, and delivers too little. If we are constantly yearning for “newer”, “more” or “better”, how can we ever be truly satisfied?

 
“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:11-12)

Sometimes distractions and business prevent us from seeing, hearing, and feeling the simple joys in life. The more we are able to be present in the moment, the more we enjoy the simple things that life offers. Having less and enjoying our lives more can give us permanent and true happiness, but first we have to slow down and see what’s right in front of us, and understand where our true values lie. It’s so very easy to speed through our day, trying to accomplish and get more, that we miss the little things. Life’s simple pleasures can be overlooked, those everyday ounces of happiness that are right under our nose! Getting rid of everything that distracts us is what a simple life is all about; the simple, beautiful things that God has given us.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” (Confucius)

When we are able to experience the pure joy that can only be found in the little things, we begin to grasp the simple pleasures that each new day presents and that were designed by God for all of us. When God is our focus, our lives will become simpler and we will be more content. Too often we are only thankful when something extraordinary happens in our lives, but we should really be thankful for normal things more often. May…just maybe…our thankful hearts should find more frequent opportunities for celebrating the simplest things that happen every day; that are without doubt, the greatest pleasures of all!


“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

Linking up this week with:

USE this for BLOG
 
 

31 comments:

  1. Dear Denise
    Oh yes, we have such a tendency to look across the fence and wishing for greener grass on the other side when we have all we need and more!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. Counting my everyday blessings has really put things in perspective for me; so much to be thankful for! Blessings Mia! :)

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  2. Denise, this is the perfect reminder to be on this Saturday as I savor these sweet slow moments

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    1. I hope your day was full of simple pleasures Wanda! :)

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  3. Amen, Denise! Simplicity is so difficult for us to embrace. Our society believes that the more complex and confusing, the more rewarding. Well, it's hard to let this go, when we are raised to take the difficult path in every endeavor. Because of this thought process, many people feel unworthy and hopeless. And, this is just not true or the way our Father would have us feel.I loved this post, Denise. Thank you, so very much!

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    1. Love what you said here Cynthia...you are so right, I see it all around me! Thanks my friend! :)

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  4. Hi Denise! I wrote a blogpost about piling on the extra stuff too. I like that quote from Confucius, for me, that's the struggle right now.

    Loved the list of what we do that should bring joy. I really connected to the coffee!!

    Such a peaceful post for Saturday reading. Thank you!
    Ceil

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    1. Thanks Ceil; I will be by and look forward to reading yours! Have a blessed weekend!

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  5. Denise, Excellent post friend and sister-in-Christ. I love your observations: "distractions and business prevent us from seeing, hearing, and feeling the simple joys in life" ... they really rob us of simple pleasure and godly joy & contentment. The world preaches that "Mountain Top experiences, radical living, extreme pleasures, intense activity in life, a "I want it all and I want it now" attitude is where happiness is found, but it SIMPLY is not the truth and a disastrous philosophy because that is not the source of happiness and everybody has to come down from the mountaintop sometime. By definition "distractions" are distracting us "from" something. Your conclusion is so true: "When we are able to experience the pure joy that can only be found in the little things, we begin to grasp the simple pleasures that each new day presents and that were designed by God for all of us. When God is our focus, our lives will become simpler and we will be more content." 1 Timothy 6:6 "Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit." Thank you for helping us all look for the "right' source for our happiness. Blessings.

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    1. Always love hearing from you Brian; your comments are full of truth and blessings! Thank you my friend! :)

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  6. This is so beautiful & so true, Denise! the Gospel is so simple that even a child can understand it, yet what greater truth is there? If we find joy in the many, many "small" reminders of God's love, we don't need to worry about missing out on what the world considers to be "big" things. He is all we need!
    God bless,
    Laurie

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    1. Thank you Laurie; finding joy in the small things brightens our day and keeps us positive in all things! :)

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  7. The simplicity of lighting a candle, cutting a flower for my desk, putting my iced tea in a pretty goblet and writing my morning papers starts my day with joy. I've been seeking the simple and it has changed my days. God loves us to find joy in simplicity and in that, contentment. I so loved reading this and reinforcing what God has been teaching me.

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    1. I find joy in those simple pleasures also Pamela; I have always said that I am very easily amused! Ha! :) Blessings and joy friend!

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  8. I'm trying to remind myself of the simple things in life that I have to be thankful for, and started a thankfulness journal. I haven't written in it every day, ...but at least I'm trying!

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    1. I started a thankfulness journal a couple of years ago, and it has been an incredible blessing to remember and focus on the simple pleasures and blessings everyday! Enjoy Esther! :)

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  9. Why oh why do we tend to complicate life? It is often the simplest things that can bring the most pleasure. I see that everyday working with the little children. Spending time with the Lord is a pleasure. I only wish I had more time to spend in His presence.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. I agree Debbie; I would love more time too! I continue to learn and meditate on His beautiful everyday blessings! :)

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  10. Hi dear Denise! What a wonderful post that had me thinking ... simplicity, one simple word that holds such big meaning. I truly appreciate what you wrote and will be thinking upon it for some time. Have a blessed Monday!

    Hugs to you!

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    1. Blessings and hugs to you too Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet words! <3

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  11. This morning I was so struck with the wisdom in the saying of Confucius. I thought to myself...it simply comes down to love God, love others. I am visiting from Unite.
    Have a great Tues.!
    Joanne

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    1. Thanks Joanne; so glad you stopped by! I hope your week is full of simple joys!:)

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  12. Hi Denise, I am always looking for ways to simplify my life and at the same time that fights with being content in all things. Great post and great encouragement to do it God's way.
    God bless my friend
    Tracy

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  13. I've been following Jeff Goins for his slow down challenge and it goes perfectly with what you've shared here. We need to slow down to appreciate the simple things. Too many times we rush through our days and miss out on the daily blessings. Thanks for sharing. Coming by from Doing You Well Wednesday.
    Blessings,
    Beth

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    1. Sounds like the perfect challenge Beth! Thanks for visiting; have a wonderful weekend! :)

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  14. Hugs to you Denise and have a blessed Labor Day.

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  15. You had me at the first line: “He who can give thanks for little will always find he has enough." That's a sermon all by itself!

    And as Beth said, Jeff Goins' new book is a great source of wisdom regarding this very process of slowing down and living in the moment.

    Have a great Labor Day weekend, Denise!

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  16. Denise - Oh how you ladies are teaching ME! Again, a theme at UNITE this week! You guessed it, "joy"! I thank God for your words...and the truth in that joy is often about seeing, experience, embracing the small blessings...more than waiting for the extravagant happenings! Joy is Jesus! Thanks for linking again friend! Blessings for a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! ~ Jen

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  17. Oh yes Denise! Enjoying the simple things in life and living in the moment! I've found the older I become, the more this rings true for me. I love Ecc. 3:12-13...sums it up perfectly! Thanks so much for sharing my friend and thanks for linking up! Have a blessed week!:-)

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  18. Thank you Denise for this beautiful post. It is such a good reminder to be thankful for the small things. It is so easy to want some of the comforts that we are told we can't do without.

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