Taking time to make a meal from scratch instead of using pre-packaged ingredients helps to reduce waste and is healthier, but more importantly, if I am not rushed and instead giving thanks for the food, and thinking about the importance of making my family a healthy meal, it is no longer a chore, but a pleasure. If we are not under time constraints because one of the children has to be to an activity (which is sometimes the case), then I find myself even more at peace while preparing the meal.
Another key to leading a less rushed life is practicing gratitude throughout the day. Our great-grandparents probably led a much simpler life (although the work may have been harder), enjoying conversation, sunsets and meals together. By just being grateful for their food, for those 30 minutes to sit together at the end of a hard days work sipping a lemonade, those precious moments make up a life. I think they were able to appreciate the little things without all of the distractions and without rushing.
Beautiuful! I have had people say very cruel things to me about the way I live my life by staying home taking care of my family, some of which have sent me home in tears. It is so nice to read how someone else has chosen to live a simpler life and to realize that this world isn't
ReplyDeleteas lonely as it can appear sometimes. Thank you.
And to think... society tries to convince us that all those activities are good for our children! And even for our family bonding. Yeah, right, those "experts" that say that ought to be tarred and feathered or somethin. We love our non-activity life and our family is growing ever closer each day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post - I'm right there with you!
This is so true...I know the days that we have to push out are the days I find myself shorter with my kids. I am working on being in less of a hurry no matter what the day presents.
ReplyDeleteLisa Q
Lovely post, Tonya. I have found too that no matter how many things there are on my "to do" list, it's important not to rush from task to task, or I end up feeling frazzled, and nothing gets done properly. I try to just take each moment as it is, one at a time, and not worry about what I'm going to do next.
ReplyDeleteI find myself in the habit of rushing. The Lord has convicted me of it. I need to slow down and be more careful and more methodical. I am missing life and stressing myself out for no reason!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to be able to take some time off this summer to sleep in and wake up naturally... ahhhh... sleeping in... wouldn't that be nice :)
ReplyDeleteThese words speak directly to my heart at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIt is never a waste to spend time preparing a healthy meal or sitting down together to eat it.
The older, slower pace of life is something I really want to teach my girls to embrace.
Right now we aren't involved in any outside activities besides the children's church group stuff. I can cook a healthy dinner each night and not stress out. It really does make such a differene to not be so busy. I just don't know how families do it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder Tonya. I felt I was really slowing down and enjoying the moment over the winter, but I find as summer has been approaching we are often hurried. Off to do wonderful things, but hurried none the less. So much to do with the warm weather...Again thanks for the reminder, I am going to try and slow down today.
ReplyDeleteSo very true- Mrs. Tonya,I feel that slowing down is the key to enjoying life.Society wants us to rush and rush and if our children are not doing this or that they are not doing enough! I feel that this even goes for adults.We have been putting it into practice for two years learning the simplier ways and enjoying the task we do! I give you hugs for standing up for what you believe in! Do hope all goes well with your new addition and your personal health! May God Bless You!
ReplyDeleteHow very true! One time when I was rushing around to get the children to various activities a friend said to me: "Let them be children. One thing only." Best advice ever!
ReplyDeleteYes, a homecooked meal with those you love spending time enjoying both - that I what I love the most about life.
ReplyDeleteNamaste, Nicole
truer words have not been spoken,, I agree, we need to focus on one task at hand and finish it well, this is a world of more more ,,, rush, rush,, it takes disipline to slow down and savour the moments,, we can't bring them back.If all I acomplish in life are three happy well ajusted children who benefited from me being a stay at home mom,,, I will be pleased,
ReplyDeleteHi Tonya!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say hi and tell you that I've been reading your blog regularly, but haven't managed to comment. The simplicity on your farm inspires me, and I have to say that your banner photo along the top of your blog is absolutely priceless!
I'll be diving back into writing about simple living, gardening, sewing, etc, now that Matt and I are back from New Zealand, and I invite you to come over and read. Thanks again for your great writing, and I hope you enjoyed the salad- I can't get enough of fresh greens this time of year.
http://batchworthlane.blogspot.com
Beautifully put! :)
ReplyDeleteI needed this today--we've been doing too much rushing lately, and I'm yearning for a slow down.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post. I dream of living in a world where people slow down and give thanks... And so the best that we can do is have the wisdom to do this ourselves and offer this gift to our children and friends.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
So true - thank you for this post. I know families (i.e. mothers, usually) who are on the go every minute of the day to various activities and sometimes I feel my daughter is "missing out" but it's good to be reminded that just living life together mindfully is doing something valuable.
ReplyDeletethank you for some wisdom and inspiration. wow ... what a way to get the morning going! thank you!
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