A simple life in which treasures are…

If you think of treasures the image is… treasures! Money, gold coins, a masterpiece…

But when your life is simple, a treasure can be:

• A beautiful sunset.
• A wonderful garden.
• Lots of smiles around you!
• A challenging fulfilling project in your work.
• A healthy relationship.
• To have more than enough, but no excess.
• The chance to live again.
• An old computer or cell phone that works very well.
• To be a mother (HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY!).
• To be someone’s child.
• To be… Just to be…

Because when you are able to appreciate these intangible treasures, you will feel you are really a billionaire!

A simple legacy

In the future, people will be talking about this time: the lockdown and fear; perhaps of the vaccine, or the socio-political situation. But it would be great if we were able to leave such a legacy and that is what would be remembered.

Personally, I feel we are generating something special through changes in our behavior and we are leaving a legacy of simplicity.

Yes, it does not sound too fancy or too special, but there has been an amazing effect on people as they had to live on basic things. Sometimes, it was due to the lack of resources or the lockdown itself, but most people I know, they have learned to live with less, and they are appreciating the change.

However, it is not really less, because when you live in simplicity, whatever you have is so valuable and it is there to be used or enjoyed. Simplicity does not mean scarcity or lack of prosperity; it means focus and gratitude. It means a deep sense of contentment.

One of the videos circulating around was a couple living with a 4-year old; they were able to build a slide in their small apartment for their daughter! Their simplicity enabled them to overcome the sense of stress, to enjoy and to have fun!

 

What is your experience?

Are you enjoying this simple life, and if so, how to keep living like this?

A new economy?

Years ago the term New Economy[1] was in and it referred to the huge possibility of change by the use of INTERNET and in fact we are seeing this effect already, accelerated by the pandemic.

However, there is a, let’s call it, a novel economy – an economy which emphasizes simplicity, less expense and a circular economy[2] (recycling, reusing, etc.).

I would like to focus on simplicity, a quality that changes the perception of consumes and production, two of the axes of a society from the economic point of view.

It changes the perspective of a flower, a plant, a loaf of bread, water and air… When you live on the basis of simplicity the minimum is often the maximum.

Even though it wouldn’t stimulate the gigantic monster created by an economy of consumerism, it would give relief to people and the environment, and probably would bring more equality in our society. Eventually, I am sure it would improve the economy in a very sustainable way.

In an individual, the effects are extremely clear: not only you don’t spend too much, but you are able to save and to have an aim in life different than buying something somewhere; there is a change in the effort you make for living and how you see your life.

Simplicity is like an earthquake that destroys anything that is extra, leaving what is really important.

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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_economy

 

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_economy

 

The role of imagination during a crisis

One of the weirdest things happening during the pandemic is the increasing value people are giving to imagination. We see that by how much people are engrossed in watching television series, movies and a big etcetera.

But is it all?

In fact, imagination when it is focused gives power to people and make them realize other aspects of reality.

For instance, a wooden box is… a wooden box. But you can use it as:

• A way to keep memories that are important to you.
• A ladder to change a bulb.
• A place to keep old school books.
• A piece of decoration.

When a crisis comes, it means much of the present structure that helps you to live will go down. By using your mind as a wonderful tool, you can look – or re-look – at your life and give a different meaning to each component.

• You can look at a relationship and rethink it, by seeing it in a different way. Maybe this person who is always giving you trouble may be the one who can help you in this new reality created by the crisis.
• It is possible you won’t have work right now, what is a wonderful opportunity to learn something new, to change your career.
• And what about that nosy neighbor? Maybe it is time to invite them for a lunch or something…

Don’t deny yourself the capacity to imagine… It will help you to focus and refocus life, live and relive…

Stop binge-watching your life

I was reading a very clarifying article on binge-watch[1][2] and it struck me how much it is related to the present time, even though it is an old article, in terms of IT.

It struck me that people are binging their own lives, not only TV shows… Maybe I am doing it too!

Time for reflection: how many episodes have you been watching, of your own life?

Let’s pause here… I just ask you to pause watching your life in pieces and instead focus on the relevance of every scene you have been living...

Because different than TV shows, this is life, this is something alive and dynamic, and it cannot be restricted by a script.

Just pause… and understand the relevance of you reading this article.

Your present job.

The present family situation.

The last time you were with a friend.

The pandemic.

Your hobby.

New projects.

ALL… they are not for binging, they are alive, they are to be enjoyed each one in itself and as a whole.

 By doing this reflection you will be able to focus more, to experience more success and plenitude.

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[1] binge-watch: to watch several episodes (= separate parts) of a television series or programme, one after another.  https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/binge-watch

[2] How To Stop Binge-Watching From Ruining Your Life, Press Play On Your Life, Not Next On Netflix, by Niklas Göke.  https://betterhumans.pub/how-to-stop-binge-watching-from-ruining-your-life-cd0e92f51750

Taking care of your sleep

To sleep or not to sleep? That is the question!

For some time, to sleep looked like a waste of time, a careless act.

But this changed and for some time, to sleep has turned the new healing tool; I have a friend of mine who used to be an advocate of a good sleep, lasting a good number of hours and it could change life.

But what is the way to potentiate your sleep in such way that your life may change?

First of all you have to frame sleep within a self-care process, which means sleeping is not only a biological procedure the body uses to renovate its energy. OK, it is, but if you want to change your life, you may want to think of it as the powerful tool it really is.

Second thing, what does sleep do to the self that it really heals? That understanding will help you to give relevance to that part of your physical biology.

The third and last thing you need to do is to improve its quality. It can be done in many different ways, depending on your personality, lifestyle and time availability. Three recommendations:

• Try to eat before 2 hours you go to sleep. If you want to drink something, check it does not contain caffeine or anything that will prevent you to sleep.
• Meditate, pray, think positive or journal within the thirty minutes before going to sleep. That positive energy will help a lot.
• If you are not feeling easy and calm, try to solve some of those situations. Maybe not a full solution, but a soup for the soul, something comforting like talking with a good friend, watching a wonderful program or just reading that thing you would love.

On venting, speaking, talking and dialoguing

Human relationships are complicated, right? Maybe we like someone and we don’t tell them; perhaps we dislike someone and we DO TELL THEM, destroying the poor soul… And what about keep feelings and emotions about others? I am sure that is called grudges.

Focus on that, there are basically 4 ways to deal with those emotions and feeling:

You may vent, that is, you just say what is in your heart. Venting may work in terms of relieving the mind of that huge emotional burden, but it is possible the problem behind it persists and so, results are minimal.

If you just go around speaking about those emotions and feelings, that is called gossip and it does not have much value, really. Besides when you gossip about others, a very bad vibration will be generated and probably, those emotions and feelings will get worse.

To talk about your feelings and emotions, particularly if you do with the people involved with them, works very well. It means sharing and looking for understanding, maybe a solution, a closure.

When you learn to dialogue, things can be solved in a different level as it allows the flow of emotions and feelings, providing deep and long-term solutions, by also generating a space for venting and talking.

You may choose the option that is the best for your situation, the most important thing is to liberate your heart.