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The Simple Life
At times our world gets complicated. Relationships get complicated. Life gets complicated.
There is something about simplifying our experience and slowing down that can be incredibly healing and life giving not only to our individual lives but our relationships as well.
Our society often gives us expectations of relationships of grandeur, unending excitement, and constant happiness. By viewing much in the media one may get the feeling that for a relationship to be successful it requires a yearly vacation to some exotic place, diamonds for every special occasion, and rich and famous friends.
Not so. The pleasure and beauty of an emotionally healthy partnership does not lie outside the relationship. It is not in the elaborate celebrations, fancy cars, or external accoutrement's.
The beauty of a relationship is in the joy of sharing one's life, the expression of the deepest emotions, the care and acceptance one gives and receives, and the love that comes through union and intimacy.
I'm reminded of a thought by John Burroughs as he discusses the joys of the simple life. While not specifically addressing relationships, he so beautifully captures the essence of simplicity.
He brings to my mind the ability we each have to find life in itself filled with joy and beauty and wonder.
He writes,
"To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter;
to be thrilled by the stars at night;
to be elated over a bird's nest or
a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life."
Similarly, to find beauty and exhilaration in the relationship itself is to experience the depth of what it means to love and be loved.
4 comments:
Yes!
In the past year since I moved out to the pacific Northwest,is when I really learned to appreciate those little things in the simple life.(Nature)Ive finally also over the past couple years,changed my focus on life itself.It use to be always focusing on money.
When all the time I should of been focusing on other things(family,Marriage). Dont get me wrong our relationship has always been good,its just that now since Ive shifted my focus,its just that much better.So yes enjoying the simple life in turn spills over into all areas of life.Does that make sense? LOL Anyway excellent post!
Health and Prosperity,
Romain Levesque
Hi Jenny.... I'm happy to have you visit! Thanks for being here! XO
Hi Romain,
You are such a great example! Yes your thoughts make perfect sense and really speak to what I was trying to say. It is just as you suggest, when we slow down, notice the beauty of life, we seem to appreciate our relationships, our very life in new and more sacred ways. I don't mean this in a religious sense although that may be true for some, but it seems our very experience of life intensifies with the wonder and joys of life. Thank you so much Romain for your thoughts. You inspire me! Blessings! Jen
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