I have a special place behind my aviary under the shade of several trees where I give the gift of “alone” to people who come to my homestead.  I take one look at them when they arrive and tell them to come with me.  I take them to my swing and tell them that what they need is some alone time. Most look at me funny but are too polite to refuse and go and sit.  It doesn’t take them long to understand why my swing is such a needed place on our homestead.

When was the last time you were all by yourself with no phone or texting twittering thingy going off? Take time even if it is after the kids are in bed. Don’t start the laundry or pack the lunches just yet. Go outside and just sit for 10 minutes, you can find 10 minutes.  Just breathe.  Just think about something that makes you smile. Watch the sunset or count the stars. You will feel refreshed and renewed.  The simple pleasures in life are what make homesteading so appealing.

When I use to speak at women’s conferences, I talked about how we lack a sense of wonder as we age.  I would pass out small bottle of bubbles, really when the last time that you blew bubbles?   It was delightful to hear grown women giggling as they remembered a less hectic time when they blew bubbles! I did it this week, I got out my bottle and blew bubbles for my chickens and the dog and laughed out loud over their antics!!! Find something you enjoy.  Dance or sing like no one is looking, seduce your husband, do something that makes you relax or laugh.

I was telling my son, Noah the other day that I only take the day off on Christmas and my birthday when he stopped me and said, “Yes, but you like it that way, Mom”.  He is the member of our family who always tells me the truth about my outfit or how my hair looks so I bet he is right about this too. I am taking a hard look at how busy I am and where I can find more time to enjoy the day and the wonderful friends and family I have been so blessed to know and love.

I tend to wear my business as a badge, proudly letting everyone know that I am busy! No time for chit chat!  Can’t you see I am busy?  When I realize I am that caught up in my little program, I take time to just stop.  I call someone who needs a good listener, I stop working and go sit with my sweet husband and watch a cowboy movie with him just because he likes to have me in the room with him.  I get over myself and remember to not be so busy with life that I let life pass me by while I get that project done.  Finding balance is a huge part of the simpler life!  So go have a blast today!