Less Stuff - More Flowers

Flowers, right? They were a good invention. 

From spring through fall, the field behind our home, and our garden, burst into vibrant colours, showcasing one of nature’s most exquisite creations. 

This seasonal spectacle is not just a feast for the eyes, though. It serves a deeper purpose, connecting us to the rhythms of life and the natural world.

As I wander through the blooming field, I become like a bee, drawn in by the fullness of the flowers. 

They offer nectar for our souls. 

The act of foraging florals allows me to bring a bit of that beauty into our home, transforming our living space into a mini altar to colour, fragrance, and Mother Nature. 

For Linda, who is not getting out as much in recent times, these blooms are more than decorative. The little jewels infuse her room with the sweet aroma of freedom and the wilderness.

Flowers symbolize growth, and renewal. Each bloom tells a story, a moment captured in time, and their ephemeral nature encourages us to appreciate the here and now. 

In a world that is chaotic and often overwhelming, flowers provide a sense of calm and grounding. Who couldn’t use more of that?

If flowers had never been invented, we would have to find a way to create them ourselves. Their absence would leave a void in our lives, unfilled by substitutes. 

What would life be without the joy of a blooming field, the thrill of discovering a new flower, or the simple pleasure of arranging a tiny, wild bouquet? 

Incorporating flowers into our home aligns beautifully with the principles of simple living. It encourages us to slow down, appreciate the beauty around us, and engage with nature. 

Finally, flowers are more than just a simple sight; they are an important part of our well-being. They invite us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of life and the gifts it brings us. 

While embracing simple living, let us not forget the profound impact that simple things like flowers can have on our lives. 

Their quiet beauty is a reminder that amazing things are all around us, waiting to be discovered, 

cherished, 

and smelled. 

My wish for today is that we be burdened less by stuff, and be blessed with more flowers.

Effort or Ease?

Humans will do just about anything to save themselves... except get down to business and do the ongoing hard work that living well requires. 

It is sensible to seek to save energy, but eventually, always taking the easy way only destroys discipline and delivers distress and downfall. 

Every time. 

In life, there is no easy button, as much as they tell us that they can help us win the battle between ease and effort if we buy the right things. 

''The more you buy, the easier it gets'', is the promise.

The allure of consumerism lies in its promise of convenience, instant gratification, and an easier lifestyle. 

However, this path only leads to an empty fulfillment, and a disconnect from the values, meaningful experiences, and deeper insights that come from consistent hard work.

Driving a car is easier than walking or riding a bike. Processed and fast food is easier than food you have made from scratch. A plug-in bread maker is easier than kneading bread. Slumping in front of a screen is easier than engaging in more healthful alternatives.

Lets face it - we love easy. In my experience it is hard to resist the conveniences of consumerism, but resist we must.

Humans have always known that there is only one way that leads to true happiness and fulfillment, and that way is through doing the hard work. 

Talk about an inconvenient truth. But try as we might, we can find no way around it. Too little work and I become soft and complacent, and things that need to get done, do not.

On the other hand, all work and no play leads to stress and burnout. 

Each of us must first do the hard work of finding out how much hard work we as individuals have to do in order to do what we need to do.

''There’s a pill for that'' solutions, as easy as they seem, are not the answer. That is what has brought consumer societies to the point of being among the least happy, and least healthy on the planet.

Easier does not mean better. And doing the hard work pays off in a multitude of amazing ways. The harder one works, the easier it gets, and the more that gets done. That can be immensely satisfying, not to mention productive and liberating.

Consumer products can make life easier, but the vital hard work remains. The best way to get work done, is to get work done. 

The alternative is indulging in shortcuts, cutting corners, and eventually, luxuriating in laziness, or more seriously, slipping into sloth.

What do you think? Is it better to do the hard work, or should we take full advantage of the easy button that consumerism offers? 

Ease, or effort? 

Or is a balance between the two possible?