Happy Wednesday, folks.
I believe that overcomplicating is a way of hiding.
Behind lists and what-ifs. Piles and responsibilities.
But it’s really pretty simple, love.
Simplicity is at our fingertips + yet I watch friends, family, + colleagues makes their lives so, so hard. They are overspending, overpromising, overextending, overanalyzing – over + over + and over again.
So this week, I challenge you to slow your role.
A story about simplicity…
Last Wednesday night I went to my sweetheart’s open mic night.
I always look forward to open mic night + that’s because it is so uncomplicated.
It’s free. It’s at our local library. We can walk there. We sit in folding chairs.
Easy.
It’s a time that I can just be present + intune with my partner, my children, my community, + the music.
Some of the participants have been playing for years + join in for the sheer love of performing + sharing. Others are experimenting with a new instrument or lyrics. Some have never performed outside of their own living room.
This past week, Art, played his rendition of a Guy Clark song that I had never heard before. I instantly fell in love.
Eight years old with flour sack cape
Tied all around his neck
He climbed up on the garage
Figurin’ what the heck
He screwed his courage up so tight
The whole thing come unwound
He got a runnin’ start and bless his heart
He headed for the ground
He’s one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold you breath
Always trust your cape
When the words poured into my ears + over my heart, I could see my sons, hands on hips + capes on backs, effortlessly navigating through their lives. And isn’t that what we ultimately want for them? It feels simple – good + happy.
In last week’s blog, I said that really listening to your children can connect all of the dots in your life. It’s true. Because they are so darn smart. My boys are superheros to me.
So, why not you?
Dust off your cape + soar, my dear.
My Juicy Glad-I-Caught-That: Always trust your cape.
Overcomplicating things doesn’t allow for you to actually get anything done. You become so engrossed in making something perfect or re-refining, that you miss the opportunity to move into action. You become paralyzed.
As the saying goes, don’t let the perfect stand in the way of the good.
- Think before you speak – Listen to the little voice in the back of your head [I know you have one!] before agreeing to something. Before saying yes.
- Say no – There’s no shame in saying “thanks, but no thanks”.
- Set goals – Every day.
- Set a timer – Remember Parkinson’s Law? Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. Create an end-time. With a timer or a deadline.
- Let it go – Take my word for it.
Where can you allow for simplicity to work its magic in your life?
Tell me.
In love,
N
xoxox
PS Subscribe to the blog by November 1st [make yourself one of these cool people by click “Notify me of new posts by email” below] for the opportunity to receive my program at no-cost. Add your name to the hat + keep checking me out.