There is nothing more beautiful than living a simple life in this complex universe!

~ Mehmet Murat ildan

You know there are just certain people – kindred spirits if you will – that come into your life at just the right moment, and you end up feeling so grateful that they did.  Well, that’s how I feel about Debra Dane, creator of the successful blog, Home Life Simplified.  I’m not even exactly sure how Deb and I found each other, but it was love at first meet.   We are Internet buds now and chances are we’ll meet in person one day, too.

Deb is a recovering perfectionist and is totally passionate about letting go, celebrating the everyday and embracing the simple life. I know you will find her to be an inspiration on your path to mindful, creative living.  (And make sure to see her brand new book – Simplify Your Life – from the inside out.  She’s offering a special launch sale now through August 11th.  Check out the details HERE.)

Enjoy her lovely guest post today.

This moment

I have always been a type A, borderline control freak.

I was born and raised in NYC, walk and talk fast (even though I have lived overseas for most of the last 19 years) and like to know what is happening (and when, and how).

All of that is where I have been most of my life. Now I am on a journey to letting go, to finding my free spirit, to being okay with the not knowing.

On this journey I have let go of perfectionism, a lot of stress, and the need to be right. I am finding happiness in a world of gratitude; trial and error; and reconnecting with my creative soul.

One part of that journey is mindfulness and learning to focus on “this moment”.

For me mindfulness is not just about my actions in a moment, but also my mindset for living. It is about learning to let go of the past as it is done, and knowing that I can’t control the future, so let it come.

The only time that is of concern is today.

This does not mean I have no goals, or ever strive or plan for the future, or dwell on the past.

It does mean that my priority is shifted to investing my resources (time, energy, money etc) in the life I am living today.

I don’t have a storage space filled with things I am not using.

I work at making peace with my past decisions and life circumstances.

I forgive myself for things that have happened and look for the lessons they provide.

I accept mistakes and failures as part of the journey and move forward.

I work to focus on the task at hand rather than split my attention in two or more directions.

I understand that I may not know exactly where I am heading all the time, some of life will simply unfold.

I trust what I feel in my heart and flow from that space.

I slow down to take in the moment I am experiencing (this takes a lot of practice for me but is worth it).

I live well now rather than saving it all for a future that is not guaranteed.

I don’t want to get to the last day of my life (whenever that may be) and have regrets that I had done more, used things up, said what I felt or let myself be happy more.

Living in the past or the future robs you of the now. You can quote me on that. Trust me you cannot live in all three places at once. It is impossible.

So I continue to do the work.

Letting go.

Simplifying my life by working on finding my own path in the world.

Honouring who I am and what I need.

Being compassionate and loving towards myself as I travel down this road.

I don’t need to have it all figured out.

I don’t need to be anywhere, but right here. In this moment.

 

This post is adapted from Deb’s new book “Simplify your life – from the inside out”. In this book and workbook you can explore who you are, what you want, and what is standing in your way so you can simplify and live your life, your way.

Deb blogs at home life simplified about intentional and authentic living. You can connect with her on her blog or on Facebook or twitter.

Your Personal Reflection:

Are you caught up in the regret from the past, or focusing on the worry and fear you feel about the future?  What small steps can you start, TODAY, to bring yourself back to this moment?