It was only a couple of years ago, before I started my journey towards simplicity, that I would get completely annoyed with my husband for taking scenic pictures without someone in the picture. I just never appreciated the beauty of those scenic shots. I felt that in order for the picture to be significant, it had to include a loved one or otherwise it didn’t mean anything.
Oh boy has my opinion of that ever changed. It wasn’t until I started to slow my life down that I really took time to appreciate the magnitude of God’s beautiful creation all around me. I can’t believe I didn’t pay all that much attention before or really stop “to smell the daisies”.
Now I can’t get enough and pictures are one of the ways I yearn to preserve the way I feel as I marvel at those things around me that stir up feelings of simplicity. The simplicity I now crave more than ever.
Photography has taken on all new meaning for me. I am in awe of photographers who can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary as is evident in the pictures shared in this blog post. And while my own photography skills aren’t extraordinary I do hunger to find and remind myself of the simplicity in my day to day, scenic or otherwise.
I am transformed by the simplest of details and find myself drawn to blogs that display this simplicity through pictures regularly. I’d like to do more of that.
I want to savor each moment, to reflect on it and embrace it. I don’t want to take it for granted that God is in all the details, big and small.
What does simplicity mean to you and how do you remind yourself of that?
Lana says
I wish I could unclutter my house. I gave myself permission to be messy until our youngest went to school full time. That happened a month ago, and I am still looking at a lot of….UHM……ok let’s call it “stuff” all around my home. In my defense, harvest is early this year, and we farm, so I am out the door about 5-7 times a day to “help.” But I so want to get rid of all the “stuff” this lovely but unable-to-handle-too-much-storage farm house holds.
When I want to get back to the simplicity, I look and listen outside. Just listening to the wind rattles the dried cornstalks or hear the birds as they pass by relaxes me so much. I do have pictures like the ones you mention, but I need to get them out of the computer and up on my walls. Sigh…….one of these days!
Laura says
Your image sounds heavenly Lana! Every day plan to do at least one thing, even if it is a small thing. Once you get going your motivation will be sparked.
Melissa says
Ahhh…this post is so timely as we are grieving the loss of my 7 week old niece. We need to savor every moment of every day and stop getting caught up in the things that don’t matter. Thank you 🙂
Laura says
Oh Melissa, I’m so so very sorry for your family’s loss. ((hugs))
ter@waaoms says
Melissa, I’m very sorry for the loss of your beautiful niece. As a bereaved parent myself (26 wks gestation) I offer my condolences and support.
Melissa says
Thank you ladies! She was a very special little girl born without a brain but changed so many lives in her short 7 weeks 🙂 We are choosing to celebrate her life with a party this weekend and releasing a balloon for every one of her 55 days of life!
ter@waaoms says
Wow, she does sound like a special little girl and definitely deserves a celebration. 🙂
Edwina says
My simplicity will be taking time out for myself, remind myself that things in the house will be untidy sometimes but finding the time for myself helps everything run smoothly no one wants to see a stressed mommy 🙂 also “us time”, alot of times me and my husband will be so caught up in work and the kids that we forget that something that brings stress in the marriage even if its no more than just riding to the store or going for a short walk its still time alone to be giddy
Laura says
So very true!
Lyn says
Simplicity to me would be to be able to slow down. Can’t seem to do it at the present time, but dreaming of it. Thanks for the gorgeous pictures!
Lain Ehmann says
Simplicity to me is having room for what matters the most, whether it’s room in my schedule, room in my home, or room in my mind.
Everyone’s definition of simplicity is going to be different. For some, that means people in the picture; for others, that means nothing but an empty stretch of beach. We each get to decide for ourselves, and hopefully allow others to do the same!
Laura says
Yes that’s exactly it Lain, everyone needs to determine for themselves what simplicity means to them and it won’t be important for everyone either and that’s totally okay.
It’s definitely a topic that’s been on my mind a lot lately with all the hustle, bustle and stress of moving over the last few months. Now it’s time to center my focus again and regroup.
ter@waaoms says
Simplicity… How I crave it. I am working towards it every day. In fact, this weekend I am having a ginormous yard sale as a first step towards simplicity.
Dayle says
Laura, thank you so much for the kind words about my linky party. I look forward to seeing you soon. It really is a fun crowd and, I hope, a meaningful party for those who participate. It’s certainly been a blessing to me, personally.
Susanne says
I love this post Laura! I think way too many times I find myself rush, rush, rushing. And forcing those around me to do the same. I love photography for the same reason. It makes me slow down, look for what I normally would pass by. I do drive my hubby on walks though because he says I stop and notice too much and it’s no longer a walk but a constant stop/start. LOL. Checking out that link!
Kim says
Great post! And beautiful pics!
How do I simplify? I aim for simplicity in how I spend my time. I used to jump from project to project, goal to goal, not finishing much and thinking I could do everything. It ended up being more motion than accomplishment, and I can’t remember any meaningful things that came from it. (except knowing how meaningless it was)
I’m slowly learning to focus – where is God leading me? Does this add to or distract from that? I think I need to be MORE choosy with our time – with my personal time, and invest it even better. For me, that means spending more focused time with my children, more intentional Bible reading (with them), and more focused attention on my husband.
Simplify. It’s a great word.
Thanks!
Ramblings of a Woman says
Beautiful pictures! I love nature pictures as well! I enjoy your blog!
I am currently working on simplifying outwardly as well as inwardly.
Bernice
http://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/moving-towards-simplicity/
Barbie says
Beautiful pictures. I know God is calling me to simplicity. I have a hard time letting go of things. I feel that I need to be in control of everything and everyone. I need to let go and let God!
Sheri says
Thanks for your post! I’d like to read more about simplicity. Do you have other blogs or websites you can recommend on the topic?
valerie says
Laura, I love the beautiful pictures in this post. Do you subscribe to ShutterStock? I checked out their website, but they seem a bit too pricey for my limited needs.
Oh how I crave simplicity. Most often my life feels like a roller coaster, and I’m grasping frantically onto a bar in the back with my feet flailing out behind me, holding on for dear life. I hate it, but I have not.the.first.clue. how to begin to simplify. *sigh* OR how to find the time to do it!
Laura says
Hi Valerie, yes I do have a subscription. Aren’t the pictures stunning. I’m in awe of these photographers, I would love to learn how to take photos like that myself.
Angela says
STUNNING PICTURES! I think you wrote this post just for me. *love*
Shelly says
I totally agree with you on the pictures. I love pictures of God’s Creation now, a very simple pleasure for me, that brings much joy into my life. Gorgeous pictures!
jilly says
Hi Laura,
I have been reading your blog for a bit and just love it. I have been decluttering my home all to get to that much desired “simple place”.
Simplicity to me means not missing out on life. That my home, cooking, shopping and finances are so simplified that I would be able to drop everything and leave for a weekend trip. To accept that lunch date with friends., and the list could go on.
The last two years have been so stressful and chaotic that there are days I never leave home…do to all that means doing. I finally got fed up enough that I am doing something about it.
There is so much beauty around me that I could be taking pictures of, if only I could get things squared away. For me, its my mind that tells me, “work first, play later”.
blessings, jilly