Happy Labor Day my friends! What a string of gorgeous days we’ve been having. Doesn’t it just make you want to
Sail Away
to somewhere beautiful?
I didn’t make the hang gliding photographs in this post. They are of my son-in-law doing one of the things that he loves (taken by a friend of his). And I offered to edit them for him, bringing up the shadows as much as I can. I love the sense of freedom I feel when I look at him gliding through the sky.
Though I know I don’t have the skill or strength to hang glide, I can’t help wish that it was me sailing away lifted by the wind. Doesn’t it look like fun?
We have been preparing for painters to arrive tomorrow to paint the downstairs ceiling and bedroom walls. It’s meant getting rid of lots of stuff, rearranging, packing things up and stashing them someplace else. And though it’s been a lot of work, we have found new homes for many items that had been sitting around unused for years.
The best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don’t.
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It feels very freeing to let go of things, as if a weight has been lifted that I didn’t even know was there.
I didn’t “grow” wise, spiritual, or happy.. I shrunk towards it. I didn’t add; I subtracted… There is wisdom in simplification… There is strength in recognizing that life is too short for nonsense… You find yourself spending time with people who make you laugh… Those who make you feel loved.. Simplify your life.. .that’s where happiness is found.
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Life Lessons
We are nearing the end of the over three year downstairs remodeling mess. While there is still work to do, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. After the painting is done Jon has just a couple more panels to put up on the walls and then the trim. We’ve decided to put carpet on the floor down there even though esthetically I prefer tile or wood-like vinyl flooring. I find walking on hard surfaces painful and carpet is easier on my body than hard floors. We also think that it will feel a little warmer underfoot in the wintertime.
I’ve learned a lot about patience and acceptance living through the remodeling downstairs. Since Jon has done almost all of the work until now, it has proceeded as he is able, and it has taken lots longer than I would have liked. The more I stressed about it the unhappier I got. But Jon was steadfast in his decision to do the work himself. For me, it has been an exercise in letting go, accepting, and trust. And I’m thankful for the lessons I learned.
I can’t help contrasting this fall with last fall when Jon was hospitalized twice in a short period of time. It took a long time for him to recover. I am so thankful that he is doing so much better now. Every time I start to stress about something I think about what really matters. And I give thanks that we have more days to spend together. Why sweat the small stuff? Life is a gift every day.
What have you been doing these last days of summer? How can you simplify your life? Where would you like to sail away to?
May you walk in beauty.
Spider web outside patio door to the deck. I’ve been watching this spider for weeks now.
More of my Mary Oliver words/pictures project…
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