Live Simply

May: This is the time of year when a million things happen, whether you like it or not.

My kids are grown and have left the nest, but that doesn't matter. I thought I'd have fewer activities to do, and yet, I'm still busy. I have family and friends' graduations, there are baby showers and weddings to attend, and there are birthday parties and dinner parties to go to.

Even if they're your own party.

I turn fifty this year, and while it's not that big of a deal, what is a big deal is the way I've changed what I want to do. The things of yesterday (like the last decade) don't seem that important. I still love writing, reading, and being involved in the vintage clothing industry, but maybe there are other things I should be doing.

Every day is a gift, and I was soberly reminded of that just a few weeks ago when a good friend of mine's husband passed away in his sleep. He was young and had years more to live. But we don't get a memo to tell us when that day arrives. God simply tells us our time is up and takes the breath from our lungs. That's it. 

We just have to be ready. 

And that's where I want to be from now on. Ready. Am I doing the things that bring value? Am I wasting my time? Do people matter more than things?

I wrote a little more in-depth about this subject as a guest writer on the No Sidebar website, which is a community of minimal-living writers and readers. But I wrote it before my friend's husband passed away, and it truly made me take what I said to heart. With his death and my impending milestone birthday, I'm rethinking what matters.

My wonderful friend just gave me this beautiful mug for my birthday. And it's a great reminder of what my daily goal is: to live simply. By doing that, I can focus on what matters, care for those who really need it, and stop wasting my time with things that will be useless and pointless when I'm gone. 

Live simply, but live fully, my friends.