Embracing Simplicity for True Well-being.

Joy in little things.

Feeling better -it's simple really

Feeling better— sometimes it's almost too simple, too straightforward. Our ego cringes at the idea, craving complex solutions that seem more sophisticated, more intellectually satisfying. Yet, what if the path to genuine well-being is uncomplicated, even bordering on silly?

Get in the light

When you see that sunbeam, stand in it. Today it was 1 degree outside, a crisp, clear winters day, so naturally yoga was done outside. Invite the light into your house. Open your blinds, welcome the elemental spirit of fire through candles and incense. Turn on your lamps, bring the light out from behind the bushel. Don’t sit there festering in the gloom. Meditate on a flame and set the inner fire ablaze!

Harmonise with nature

Be observant of the rhythms of the day. Start it by getting as much light in as you can. Whatever the weather, I begin my day with a cup of tea, barefoot, at the bottom of the garden. I await the glowing disk of the sun, unless it has beaten me too it and is already rising up through the trees on the far hill. I pay him (or her? perhaps…) attention, watching. Sungazing is an activity that can be taken on at dusk and dawn, and I endeavour to do both – in tune with the rhythms all around me. Remember you are part of it this grand dance.

Pay attention to animals

Wherever you can. Birds, cats, dogs - love them, study them, and enter their nature. Watch how the dog rests, the cat plays and the bird sings - they are our teachers. Look into augury, and become an augur.

Eat light

Take smaller portions. Big heavy meals weigh you down, make you feel sleepy, sluggish and docile -anything but light. Choose light filled food – organic fresh fruit, vegetables and animals that have been raised lovingly and intentionally. Say thank you before you eat, acknowledge the sacrifices made so that you may go on.

Activity

Do those essential, chore like things you know are good for you. Build in that meditation practice, breathwork, prayer, exercise – take care of yourself like you would a precious friend. Do it even when you don’t feel like doing it, show yourself you care about your own wellbeing and that you matter. Show gratitude for the way this life has divinely conspired to get you to this point.

Silence

Simply sit in silence and hear the world breathe, acknowledge that you are part of that breath, and hear it whisper to you. It is talking to you all the time, we are in a constant dialogue with our inner world. But most of the time it is being drowned out by trivial, ignorant thoughts. Everything you need is beyond this noise.

Face the day

Face the challenges head on. Find the fire in your heart and shine it’s light upon the problems in your life, you have the strength. Stuff is difficult to sort out in the darkness, and we needlessly fumble, perhaps causing more trouble than we fix. So shine bright, and see what is before you. This living light is the light of purpose, and remember you always have one.

Transmute Fear

If you are worried about being attacked, learn to fight. If you are scared to speak, then practice talking. If you are taking a stand against the unlawful action of bureaucratic overreach, get versed in the ins and outs of the law. Transmute your fear into action, channel your rage into a focused beam of willpower.

Play

Play music, paint, draw, embroider, sew, knit, produce, curate -whatever it is that gets your creative juices flowing. Hobbies are rewarding so make time for them and don’t be afraid to try new things out.

Move! Dance!

Turn up those tunes and let it out! Really let go and be shameless, release. Try to do this for 2 minutes every day and you might see it turn into 5 minutes, 10 minutes, you may find you even go into a trance state and discover something deep about yourself. Can you imagine moving like this?

Beam

As you go about your day you can shine light on anyone you meet, regardless of how you feel or who they are. Simply saying ‘Good Day’ and smiling as you greet a stranger has an impact on you and them. Never undervalue the impact of many small good and joyful works. You may brighten someone’s day more than you can imagine.

Take the long way home

Today I took the long way home, so I could watch the sun set. Part of me wanted to just go the quick way and get home, get on, get doing, get consuming, producing, but a much bigger part said: “you have all the time in the world, it’s a beautiful evening, go and honour that sunset”. This part of me is bigger than ‘the world’. We have been conditioned to believe that we must fit to ‘this world’ but rather the best is brought out by fitting this world to us. Taking our own path, our way. Find this part of you, honour it, as they have been honouring you, and realise, this is what you really are.

Laugh

Nurture the ability to make yourself giggle, bellow and quake with joy and humour. You are your own best comedian and this universe has a sense of humour. This tool is super effective, a form of magic. The darkest places are lit up and the heaviest weights are lifted by the sound of joy.

Develop a ‘could not give a damn’ attitude

And if someone wants to call you crazy or weird for doing any of these things, or any thing that brings light into your life, grin and wear it proudly. Make them cringe harder. Wear it as a badge of honour, for it is truly a complement to be called these things in a profoundly sick society.