A Simple Life

I've been loving this song lately.  It's not a new song, but it's been one that I've really loved listening to a lot these days.  I think the reason is because it ties in two things that I have been working on: creating a warmer home environment and connecting to our local community.

Simple Life 
by The Weepies

Can I get up in the moming
Put the kettle on
Make us some coffee, say "hey" to the sun...
Is it enough to write a song and sing it to the birds?
They'd hear just the tune
Not understand my love for words
But you would hear me and know

I want only this, I want to live
I want to live a simple life.

I dreamed you first
But not so real
And everyday since I've found you
Such moments we steal
Like little thieves, we rub our hands
We hold our hearts between them.
But will you hear me and know?

I want only this, I want to live
I want to live a simple life.

Move on, move on
Time is accelerating.
Drive on all night
Traffic lights and one-ways.
Move on, move on
Parking violations waiting
Turn off the car, breathe the air
Let's stay here.

I'll kiss you awake, and we'll have time
To know our neighbors all by name
And every star at night.
We'll weave our days together like waves
And particles of light.

I want only this, I want to live
I want to live a simple life.

I love how she says, "we'll have time to know our neighbors all by name..."  Let's have time for that, shall we?


So what do you think?  What does a "simple life" mean to you?  Are simplicity and community connectedness related?  I think so, but I'm curious what you think?

Gratitude

"Abundance is not something we acquire, it's something we tune into." - Anonymous.
I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately and the role it plays in a happy life.

I dreamed of marrying my soul mate.  When I hurt over my own broken home, I hoped for a real, lasting romance.   When I was in college and Lucas and I would steal off for an hour or two between classes or get to go out on a date on the weekends, I longed for a time when we'd be able to share one roof, one bed.  I couldn't wait to spend my life with him.  I always wanted four kids.When Norah was born, I wondered what it would be like when I could finally talk to her.  I wondered what her siblings would be like and who they would be.

For years, Lucas and I prayed and planned for our move to Seattle.  We wanted so badly to live in this calm, cozy community.   I felt like we waited forever for the right circumstances to align so that we could move here!

But now, here we are.  And this is it.

So many of the things I dreamed, prayed, and hoped for are here, right now in my life.  How many times in the day do I stop to be grateful for them?  When I DO stop to think about all that I have, I realize I have MORE than I could ever have hoped for.  And when I stop to think about the stuff I want, it's just that: stuff.

I am so, so grateful for my life.  This really is it.  And I am so happy it is.

Looking for something inspiring to read, I love this.  It's been a while now since it came out (in January to be exact) but I think it's a great reminder to have grace for ourselves while at the same time appreciating what we have.

Also, on the subject of the little things, which I've been writing a lot about lately, I love this commercial.  It ran during Mother's Day and now it has been running again during the Olympics.  I'm a sap, so it makes me cry.  But, I just love the little ways we have the opportunity to show love every day to our families.  Whether it goes noticed or unnoticed, it makes a difference.