“Nature uses as little as possible of anything.”
– Johannes Kepler
I spent a lot of time thinking when we were on vacation last week. Was it really last week? It seems like longer than that! And that is one of the things that I thought a lot about~Time. It goes so fast. I’ve said that a million times, and I bet you have, too. When I say it, I usually shake my head in disbelief and leave it at that.
After all, what can we do about the passing of time?
When you live small or tiny, you think about things like time and what is important because you aren’t thinking about how you are going to make your next mortgage payment or why the Smiths next door have a bigger house and newer car than you. You have more time to consider the quality of things in your life. I’m not saying that living small will make you a better person; you have to work on that part. But it can slow you down a bit to focus on the really important things in life.
Focusing on nature instead of man-made things can do that. Looking at a perfectly shaped shell, watching Sandpipers run along the shore, or, best of all, watching baby dolphins playing in the waves just beyond the beach is pure joy! Everything in nature has a purpose and is constructed to function the way it’s supposed to. There is no waste. A fallen tree becomes shelter, food, and eventually compost for the forest. It’s the harmony of life.
Living smaller, or just thinking in ways that will limit your use and waste, can get you closer to this mindset. Walking in nature and observing all of the many ways it takes care of itself can also help you rethink your life habits. Even if you live in the city, try to find a tree or even an ant that can show you perseverance.
As you are planning to move to a smaller life, use nature as a motivator; it is always there for you.
Live small and prosper and Happy Holidays!
~Sue
