2011年10月22日星期六

events, experiences, happy memories. Future son-in-law Joel now

as opposed to the 2,600 we had) yet the adjustment seems minor--almost as though it were in our DNA to live this way.We are down to one car and we walk or bike nearly everywhere. Instead of things, I now think in terms of giving services, events, experiences, happy memories. Future son-in-law Joel now enjoys 12 months of Netflix Nike TN Pas Cher,on me. Let it not be said that the Universe does not have a bit of a sense of humor when it comes to timing.) This was followed by my 2006 theme of "Build the Dream" which was the year my business took off, growing into aChaussures Supra Homme multi-state operation. And paid for. Jeremy and I took granddaughter Kaydi to Disney World for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!No dusting required and nothing added to the landfill!I cancelled my magazine subscriptions--simpler and more earth-friendly to read them at the library, online or not at all. I switched to sending e-cards for virtually everything. Son-in-law Jason was given a class at Colorado Free University. I will drive around and look at Christmas lights, take my granddaughter for a horse-drawn carriage ride to se the lights of the City and County Building, and stroll Larimer Square enjoying the window displays.So I come to the end of my Year of Simplicity secure in the knowledge that it has changed me forever. In the meantime, I wish everyone a season (or do I daresay hope for a year?) of peace, joy and simple abundance.Maureen Thomson is a wedding officiant and owner of Lyssabeth's Wedding officiants. Out went the majority of processed foods and I pared down to the cookware and ingredients that I use regularly. As I sit typing this column, I have Christmas carols playing in the background, a spaghetti sauce from scratch is fragrantly bubbling away on the stove and in the back of my mind, I revel in the knowledge that my husband is at this very moment heading back to me having experienced a beautiful Rocky Mountain hike and will undoubtedly enter our apartment, smell the sauce and act like he's attained nirvana simply by walking in the door.This month, I will not be swept up inChaussures Kobe Homme the Christmas pandemonium. Not only does this save paper, but the reminder service makes it less likely that I'll forget someone's important day--another simply convenient addition to my life.Jeremy and I changed how we spent our free time. A trip to Cuenca, Ecuador in July convinced us for certain that we want to spend a good number of years living among these simple people who thrive on the pleasures of good friends, conversation, the great outdoors (sans all the gadgets that we in Colorado have come to equate with being vital to our enjoyment of the natural beauty of our Rocky Mountains) home cooking, strolling about their fair city and in generally making time for things of the heart and soul.After that, the theme of "Simplicity" became second nature and doors opened up to allow its fruition. Several years ago, I eschewed the traditional New Year's Resolution (which I failed to maintain 100% of the time anyway) in favor of a theme for the year. We moved to a cozy apartment while we await our 2009 move to Ecuador. My theme for 2005 was "Unthinkably Good Things Can Happen" and that was the year that I met my future husband, Jeremy (with a scant two weeks to go until the end of the year, no less. I started in early January with the most basic way to simplify that I could think of--attacking my closets and dressers. Daughter Alyssa and I enjoyed a wonderful Girls Only night at the DCPA. "Simplicity." Even its one-word title was a deviation for me. Back at the beginning of the year, I had no idea how much this theme would change me. I began to walk through my house with an eye toward what I could eliminate as opposed to what additional possessions I could acquire to fill up this or that corner. We've gradually evolved to Sundays spent, as he calls it "goofing off" as opposed to the frenetic running around that we had done in the past. We put our house on the market and sold it in three months. The underlying question in every decision that we make is, "Will this make or lives simpler and easier?" coupled with "Does this bring me joy?". I discovered that the simpler and more natural I kept my ingredients, the more likely I was to actually cook. Note that Beth REALLY hates doing laundry!). People ask us how we are adjusting to our smaller quarters (smaller defined as 450 sq. And we mustn't forget 2007's theme of "Do The Never" whereby I did all kinds of things I swore I'd never do--not the least of which was to marry again (once again in December of the year).But nothing prepared me for the events surrounding my theme of this year (2008). Even my food cupboards came under close scrutiny. We've also found that our theme has enhanced our love life--undoubtedly because we have the time and energy to devote to it.And then came March, when I made the decision to radically simplify my life by planning a move to Ecuador with Jeremy. I anticipate my holidays of Silent Nights and Joy to the World knowing that all is calm, all is bright. Some people adopt this more pragmatic question, "Does it have to be dusted, washed, stored, paid for in installments, excessively insured or otherwise tended to?"I've gotten quite good at this lifestyle. My daughter Bethany was the recipient of six months of laundry service (a gift she thought was a bit bizarre when I gave it to her, but which she now says was the best gift she ever received. Who needs four cheese graters anyway? Yes, that is true; I actually had four.I changed the gifts I gave to people. As opposed to a list of "will do's" that the resolutions stipulated, the theme was a gentler way of turning my attention toward the areas in my life that were most in need of attention.I had no idea what I was in for when I started this tradition. And the rest of which were a size that was at least attainable in this lifetime.I became the thrift store's best friend, showing up monthly with varying sizes of donations. This suits us; I prefer the non-commercialism of Thanksgiving spent with family and loved ones (and lots of yummy food!) and the girls feel less torn in the frenzied month of December.This year, I will spend the holidays by decorating less and observing Denver's spectacular Christmas displays more. Never having considered myself a saver or a packrat, I was appalled when my digging turned up no less than 35 pair of jeans! And the number of shoes was not much better. Chagrined at my semi-conspicuous consumption (I can say semi, because in my defense the jeans did span three or four sizes due to my tendency to go up and down the scale.), I ruthlessly pared down to a more palatable 12 pair--half of which actually fit. My themes have turned into manifestations that are beyond coincidence. Several years ago, when my daughter was being pulled in too many different directions with holiday demands by her parents, her own child, her in-laws and extended family, I made Thanksgiving my holiday of choice. On most Sundays, you can find us hiking in the mountains, exploring Denver's neighborhoods, spending hours in the library, or engaging in the lost of art of conversation. It was liberating. Paying off debt is another path to simplicity, but you already knew that.As we prepare to enter another new year, I have begun to formulate my 2009 theme, but that's my secret for now. The trade off is that my daughters know that Thanksgiving with Mom is a command performance--and on Christmas they are free to spend time with other relatives. ft. Visit her website at http://www.memorableceremonies.com or http://www.MemorableCeremoniesBA.com.




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