Honor our bodies by feeding it healthy food.
Honor our spirit by letting go of negativity.
The Bible says to honor our parents, so we may live a long life (Exodus 20:12).
As I write this post beneath fluorescent lighting, listening to the blips and beeps coming from electronic machinery in the ICU, I can’t help but think about the importance of health. It’s almost a cliche, but health is our greatest wealth.
We only get one body, one mind.
Right now, I’m spending most of my time in the hospital as my dad slowly recuperates from surgery. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen a loved one in an impaired state, but in my experience, it never gets any easier.
All this time spent in the ICU has made be introspective. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what it means to have a good quality of life. To me, it means being happy with what I have, taking the time to find meaning in everyday life, maintaining good health and finding ways to ease stress. To me, this is Simple Living 101.
Before I began this blog, I wrote about simple living for two years. Even though I don’t continually blog about it anymore, I still embrace simple living: my husband and I share one car, we find happiness through creating experiences together, rather than spending a lot of money and we both realize that acquiring more “things” doesn’t make us happy.
What is your definition of simple living and how do you find ways to cultivate it in our busy world? Leave me a comment and you’ll be entered in a giveaway.
*All this week, I’ll be blogging about simple living in celebration of hosting my first ever book giveaway here on my blog. I’m giving away three digital copies of 3-2-1 Stop– stop running and start living by Lorilee Lippincott of the blog Loving Simple Living.
Important: To be entered in the giveaway, please leave a comment on today’s post.
Amanda Bretz 
Enjoyed your blog (as I always do!). Simple living to me is being comfortable with yourself, not feeling like you need objects to define who you are. Its respecting that we come into this world with nothing and anything we receive after that is a gift, even difficult times like sitting in an ICU watching a loved one struggle is special and should give one repose. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Diane. I always enjoy your feedback. You see the world in a very unique & beautiful way :).
Found your blog via your twitter posting. Would love to read Lori’s book. Thanks for the chance!
Simple living to me is living in the moment, appreciating what you have right now and not worrying too much about the future. If you’re grateful for what your life right at this moment, more good things will happen. Being content in the present moment is the key to enjoying life.
Emma, excellent point. I also think having the mindset of contentedness opens you up to blessings and joy.