Tuesday 3 March 2009

The Simplicity Of It All...


I love this pic - that I found on the Country Living website. The simplicity of the pieces and the purity of thought behind their placement reminds me that, at the end of the day, life isn't meant to be complicated. When we pare back the layers and get to the core of our heart's desires - we often find that the simple things in life motivate us the most. Picking flowers from the garden and placing them in a vase, drizzling passionate icing over a steaming butter cake, embracing the tiny hand of a child in your own, sitting on the porch and inhaling the beauty around you. These are the simple things that fulfill me the most. What about you?

16 comments:

mimi charmante said...

Passionate icing? I think that I need that recipe...
:)
Well said Shannon - I totally agree with trying to simplify. We have been doing that in our home for the last year and it really does improve our life. Quality over quantity!

Shannon Fricke said...

Well, I'm just getting so carried away with it all!
Passionate Passionfruit even!
Sx

Lin said...

I find it a constant struggle to simplify my life - whether it's material things or things I have to do - I always enjoy getting back to the basic, more enjoyable things. It's hard though, with life being so busy, but it's always good to come back to centre :)

Shannon Fricke said...

It's true Lin, getting back to simplicity can be the hardest thing of all. I guess that's why we hold it so dear...
I find that seizing some time for myself - even an hour or two, or sometimes it's a minute or two - gives me the energy I need to keep going in life. It's that time when everything drops away, except for what's happening in that very moment, that inspires me the most...
Sx

Courtney said...

Beautiful post. I think that my breathing gets deeper and slower just from looking at that picture.

Viv said...

True indeed. Sitting on the beach with the sun on my face and my dogs beside me is pretty good. Fresh ginger flowers. Homemade bread. Sewing something for one of my girls. Riding a bike down a hill, fast. All good. As they say, the best things in life aren't things.

Anonymous said...

What lovely sentiments. For me, nothing beats an evening walk with my husband and son - it gives us a chance to just talk and 'be'.

Amanda said...

So true. We live a very relaxed life up in Queensland's Hervey Bay. The lifestyle here is fantastic, plenty of time to smell the roses; or the salt water!

lily-g said...

Lately complicated seems to stand out for me, but I'm continually striving for the simplicity. I suppose its all about re-focusing and maybe writing in a journal the simple things that make us happy, it may make the tough times a lot easier.

Ness Lockyer said...

We have found that simplicity here in Tassie. I don't think I could take on all that I am now if we were still in Wollongong.
Just the thought of sitting on the back deck watching our Sons laugh together while the sun sets over our mountains and the bright stars start to show is just amazing.
Ness xx

Anonymous said...

It's definately the best way to live. Slow paced, enjoying all of the little things. Life is good, isn't it?

The House That A-M Built said...

Even in the busy city, just taking time to sit with my children, read, chat, giggle... that brings simplicity into my life. I do envy your open fields though. I would be taking beautiful deep breaths every morning. I lived on the hill, in Murwillumbah, when I was working at Tweed Hospital in the late 80's. My flatmate, used to fling open the door of our place every morning and scream over the town, at the top of her lungs "GOOD MORNING MURWILLUMBAAAAAAAAH".
I miss having view! That's how I would simplify... having a view!... so I could take deep breaths and greet the morning! A-M xx

Anonymous said...

For me it's gentle pottering.
Re-arranging the pantry, beachcombing for the shell jar, enjoying the sun when I hang out the washing, reading for a while, making fudgy chocolate muffins, painting my nails whilst I chat on the 'phone. After a day of pottering I am content.

paper aeroplane said...

You write so beautifully, Shannon. All of those things are so wonderful and so often we take their simplicity for granted. Just taking time out for these things can be decadent in itself! I appreciate uncomplicated so very much, thank you for the reminder.
Shanyn xo

Oliveaux said...

It's the simple things like listening to my daughter sing in the shower, pottering around the garden, and enjoying watching the morning birds flutter along my back fence - these things always make my heart sing. Just taking the time to enjoy them & remembering how beautiful life is. Amanda x

Anonymous said...

That is a really great photo - I love the simple row of jars & bottles :)