Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Simple Joys...

Here's more Zen living...I really love how easy these ideas would be to incorporate into your life.

"Understanding what is important in our lives allows us to rid ourselves of the rest without remorse. As Cal Newport recently wrote in a guest post here on Zen Habits, “ … when you know what your life is about it’s easy to sidestep all that threatens to clutter it.” Time, attention, and most especially, the ability to go deep into our experiences—all gifts of minimalist and smaller living—are the critical ingredients for a life to be rich with simple joys.
So how can you create and enjoy more small joys in your life?
1. Allow some breathing room in your schedule. When we rush, we barely acknowledge what is happening around us. I can’t remember ever hearing someone say they had a joy-filled day because they were rushed and stressed, running from one thing to the next.
2. Be present. Being present, a common theme here on Zen Habits, is absolutely essential for experiencing and appreciating the small joys of life. Instead of always thinking of the next thing on our to-do list or itinerary, being present allows us to recognize and enjoy those small moments of joy as they arise.
3. Stay with the moment and fully experience it. Pay attention to the details.
4. Remember this. Remind yourself at the time of how it makes you feel and what about it you want to treasure. Think of these moments like little GPS way stations, points in time and space that you want to commit to memory."

For the entire post, I'd highly recommend clicking HERE. Enjoy!

7 comments:

Glynis Peters said...

We do need breathing time. It is so easy just to keep running from one job or problem, to another.

Interesting post, thanks.

Pam Kessler said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today. I have to work on #2 - Being Present - I always have a to-do list running through my head!

Gillian Layne said...

Thanks for stopping by, ladies! :)

Donnell Ann Bell said...

Gillian, I so needed this read today. Thank you. What a beautiful blog you've created!

Gillian Layne said...

Donnell, thank you so much! I'm glad you found your way here and it could help a bit. :)

Savannah Granny said...

Thank you so much for visiting my new blog. I truly appreciate your kind remarks. I can tell by your inspiring blog that kindness is your style.
I enjoyed this post especially. Some of these life lessons are very familiar. While I did not equate the Zen connection, I can really see that.
I look forward meeting new people and sharing experiences. Thanks again for visiting me on my first day. Ginger

Gillian Layne said...

Hi! I hope you had a wonderful first day in blog land. :)