Miracles seem to me to rest
not so much upon faces or
voices or healing power suddenly
near to us from afar off, but upon
our perceptions being made finer,
so that for a moment our eyes
can see and our ears can hear
what is there about us always.

Willa Cather, 1876-1947
American Writer

 Living the American Simple Life

 

Fast cars, mega homes and bank accounts that groan under the weight of the cash they hold seem to be the criteria for the American Dream. Many live it, and many more would like to.

But there is a trend toward simplying the life we lead - trying to make ends meet, while having a little bit of time for family togetherness, hobbies, or a walk in the woods.

The American Simple Life is not a particular style of home, or even a certain brand of car. It is a mindset that is available to all - no matter the gender, age, or marital status. It is basically living with your heart, and listening to your intuition.

Now I believe that some skeptics have answered roll call. Heart living is not possible in an economy that requires everyone to outdo their co-employees, make sure the bottom line is quite substantial, while trying to appear as humble and meek as possible. As for intuition, that is for soothsayers, and religious fanatics that hear voices, or are given signs written in stone. If you believe these statements, then you are so wrong on both counts.

As human beings, we are heart oriented to begin with. We use our minds to advance in life, raise families, take care of everyday business, and make sure that the nest egg when we retire is substantially able to let us try and revive the "golden age of retirement" that our grandparents knew.

Heart is left for family reunions, and special occasions. But the heart is and has been the one organ in our body that will tell us the truth as to who we really are and what we truly believe in.

If your mind told you to work 60 hours a week, and your heart told you that your son would find it awesome if you went to a soccer game with him, then I'm sure the real you would take a step forward. In your heart is your essence or your identity that makes you different from everyone else and yet makes you a vital part of the human race.

Your mind tries to get in between you and the real issues in your life that are meaningful. Your mind is academic and fact-finding while your heart is sincere and caring. Which you choose and how regularly you let your heart shine through is totally up to you, but time and especially present time is all that life will offer you at any given moment.

When you make a decision based on your heart, the feeling of fulfillment with your choice will definitely be there.

When your mind tells you otherwise, your ego is just showing signs of being bruised but when the count is down, taking that leap into the unknown or deciding for your family instead of overtime [at work] will be well worth the few moments of hysterical tantrum that your mind will try and muster.

No one is saying that providing for yourself or your family is not an issue in your life. Of course it is, but there has to be "balance" and this is the keyword of the American Simple Life. Balance will let you sleep at night as well as bring you to tears from the laughter and the joy that you experience as well as what you extend to others.

Now for intuition - we all have it but very few of us actually let it grow and thrive. Some view intuition as the mainstay for those with too much time on their hands or even for those whose mental attitudes need a bit of adjustment. Intuition is a part of everyone's make-up because you were not given a user's manual when you were born so the powers that be had to give you some kind of reference material to check with every now and then - when problems got a bit too much, life started crowding in, or the day was just a bad one to begin with.

It is not necessarily voices calling in the desert, but it can be a nagging nudge that just doesn't quit. Try, and you might, to change the topics running rampant in your cranial, [and] intuition will just come through time and time again.

If you just "listen" instead of trying to crowd it out with louder music or more violent TV shows, the inroads into your future will be much brighter and the stars in the heavens will count on your brightness for a bit.

Intuition is not for the weak, and only the strong and determined have the strength to quiet their minds and let intuition have its say. Then the decision on whether to listen or not is entirely up to you and your free will. There is no wooden club hanging over your head [and] intuition doesn't get offended and cause chaos. It just had its say and now returns until it is needed again.

The American Simple Life is just that - a simple way to find the truth about yourself as well as where you are headed. A little help from your built-in components is never in vain.

Arleen M. Kaptur ©February, 2007 asnorthwoods@centurytel.net

Back to the top

 Is EFT The Missing Link to Vibrant Health and Complete Happiness?

 

Based on the premise that unresolved emotions can compromise our potential for happiness, EFT began as an effective remedy for phobias, addictions and war trauma.

Vietnam Vets were finally able to sleep at night, smokers could choose fresh air, and paralyzing phobias lost their grip...all without medication !

Before long, EFT was providing relief for migraine headaches, sexual abuse trauma, and a wide assortment of everyday ailments. Fascinated by the results, founder Gary Craig taught the technique to therapists, clients and people on the street. He said “Try it on everything!”, so they did.

Since then, EFT has grown into a revolutionary healing aid, used by traditional therapists, medical professionals and alternative healers on everything from weight loss to cancer .

The discovery behind this relief is that unresolved emotional issues are caused by disruptions in the body’s “subtle energies”.

These disruptions inhibit our natural ability to heal, leaving us open to nagging fears, chronic pain and terminal illness.

Combining this emotional element with the ancient principles of acupuncture, EFT has been able to address the causes of these energy continue...

Back to the top

    On the Move

Living an organized life is not restricted to just the home or office- more than ever we're finding ourselves working and almost living out of our cars. Many of us spend more time in our cars than at corporate headquarters or in our home office, creating the need for product storage, a compact filing system, and organized desk space. Car organizing is not limited to those working outside the home either; many a soccer mom dreams of a leisurely commute without library books and sports gear rolling around in the back of the minivan.

Use some of the tips listed below to create a mini-filing system, store product literature and product samples, stash groceries, and organize all those items needing to be mended or returned during your daily outings.

* WHAT'S YOUR HANGUP? Store important papers in hanging files in a portable crate. These come in all sizes, open or with lids. To prevent the crate from sliding around during travel, place a fluffy towel underneath, or place it in the floorboard where it cannot tip over. It's a great way to organize the kids' permission slips, contracts for clients, or memos. (Be sure to keep business and personal records separate so there are no surprises in the boardroom.)

* READ BETWEEN THE LINES. Carry a To Be Read folder with you for review during stopped traffic or while waiting for an appointment. This is one of my favorite time-savers, and reduces stress at the same time.

* IT'S ALL IN THE SYSTEM. Create a follow-up system using a notebook with pocketed dividers, recipe box or accordion file. Number the dividers 1-30, and file documents (or note cards) behind the appropriate date of the month for future action.

* WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA? Consolidate important notes into a daily planner, spiral notebook, calendar, or small wipe-off board. If you keep a master-planning calendar at home or in your office, carry a spare in your car for taking notes. Remember to consolidate these each day to eliminate overlooked appointments and special days.

* MOBILE DESK. For bills and other correspondence, buy a notebook and fill with twelve pocketed dividers, one for each month of the year. Label each with birthdays, anniversaries, and billing due dates; then fill with correspondence. The binder can be used as a portable desk, or can be stored at your work area. Don't forget to stick your favorite writing pen in the front pocket.

* IMPROVED STORAGE SPACE. Keep a large sturdy crate or laundry basket in your car to contain product samples, grocery bags, clothes headed to the dry cleaners, library books and rented videos. Invest in two so that you can carry a full one into the house, saving wasted trips from car to kitchen or office. My all-time favorite is a collapsible plastic crate that takes up very little space when not in use.

* IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT. There are a number of visor and glove compartment organizers available to hold pens, paper, sunglasses, and loose change. Make a habit of putting your small items here after each use so you can easily find them.

* MORE LEG ROOM. Expand limited floor space by using pocketed organizers that hang on the back of the car seat to holding maps, brochures, product literature, umbrellas, business cards, kids tape players, and even snacks for those long days away from home.

* A COMPACT MODEL. Create a compact office-on-the-go by filling a zippered pencil case with office supplies for your briefcase, totebag, or car. Store basic desk drawer items such as: letterhead and envelopes, business cards, brochures, postage stamps, calculator, pads of paper, pens, pencils, stapler and staple remover, scissors, tape dispenser, Post It Notes, rubber bands, paper clips, and change for parking or tolls.

* EMERGENCY ROADCARE. Assemble first-aid supplies, a small fire extinguisher, a large towel or blanket, jumper cables, basic toolkit, rain poncho, and a change of clothes. If this sounds like someone's mother telling you to always be prepared, you're right! Experienced parents realize the value of a change of clothes for their kids, but seasoned travelers know how miserable it can be delivering a speech while in wet clothes from a downpour.

FINAL THOUGHTS Road kits come in all forms and purposes: diaper bags for baby, activity kits for older children, busy boxes for adults (which brings us back to that reading folder again, but stash some fiction and hobby magazines in there as well.) Using everyday items to organize our briefcases, cars, and offices on the go will not only improve our effectiveness on the job, but will reduce much of the stress we encounter along the way. Happy trails!

Debbie Williams is an author, speaker and organizing strategist who offers tools and training to help you put your life in order. Learn more at http://www.organizedtimes.com

Debbie Williams may be contacted at http://www.organizedtimes.com or info@organizedtimes.com

Back to the top

Back to Home Page