Has technology, with all its advances and complications, including AI, become a double-edged sword in your life – able to do more, but also taking up more time and energy! And forget contacting a company and trying to speak to an actual person! If this sounds like your life, perhaps this message today is meant for you.

When I began to think about what the Summer Solstice message was going to be about, one word kept coming up over and over: SIMPLIFY. And the next question of course was, “What would that mean in our lives?”

Some things might come up right away, like eliminating things that do take up our time and energy, but are not essential. Other things might not be as obvious, so I’ll list them and we can consider their place in our lives:

  • Limiting our use of our devices like our phones, computers, and TV – how much is a decision each person must make for themselves
  • Making notes and posting them in a regular spot, so we don’t have to worry about forgetting things we think are important to do. Making lists of things that need to be done falls in a similar category. The fun part is crossing things off the list after we’ve completed the task Lol.
  • Clearing: Do we really still need those things that are worn or that we haven’t used in years? Even a half-hour of clearing stuff out can motivate us to get back to it again later. We can separate into piles to Keep, Sell, and Give Away.
  • Regular exercise actually gives us more energy, helps to relieve stress and tension, and boosts endurance.
  • Let’s avoid getting caught up in news prejudices. Instead, let us maintain a compassionate attitude toward all, letting our Higher Selves send Love & Light to the Higher Selves of others.
  • Meditate regularly for clear thinking and self-knowledge
  • Do something meaningful each day – that which inspires us and makes us feel like using our creativity to make something beautiful; doing those things that feed our souls with meaning and pleasure.

Let us savor and appreciate a special moment with Nature each day, whether while walking outside, sitting on a porch or deck, or even communing with a houseplant. Let your connection with the natural world soothe your soul.

It’s also important to do things that make us happy – not just the things that make us feel we are in control. (See my poem, A Little Bit OCD below). Doing simple things like listening to a favorite song while cooking a healthy meal. For all these things, most of all, let’s keep it simple. Keeping it simple enables us to stay connected with who we truly are, and with what’s really important. Living simply is about finding joy in the simple things, savoring and appreciating the moment we’re in, and being comfortable with oneself.

The Summer Solstice is Thursday, June 20th, 4:50 p.m.

Have a great summer and stay cool!


A LITTLE BIT OCD

I used to be a fixer
of things large and small
Because then the chaos in
the world, and my life
didn’t seem so overwhelming

If I could straighten up
one little area
If I could make something
work right
It felt as though my life
would also work well

Organization was the mandate
of the day
Beginning the routines
that established order
little by little
made space for things to happen

A touch more here
Get rid of something there
A bit of color and form
where the eye falls
could always foster a feeling of
symmetry and beauty

For wasn’t that what life was about?
Beauty everywhere, around, and within?
Didn’t taking care of business first
leave time and energy
for creating and having fun?
Actually, NO, it didn’t!

Lately, I’ve changed my emphasis
My goal is savoring the moment,
just as it is, with all
its pain and imperfections
I don’t wait for things to be right
because my life is now

I don’t wait anymore for my own
approval before I enjoy myself
and whatever I am in the midst of
Why wait for things to be
ordered and precise?
That’s an exercise of the past

Tomorrow is not assured
for any of us
There is only now,
and the next now
for each of us to be living
The precious moment we’re in

Don’t get me wrong

Something in me still wants
everything to be perfect, and
all things in their rightful place
I just no longer choose to let
the fact that they may not be,
spoil the moment I’m experiencing

Copyright Cie Simurro 2023

This poem was taken from my newly published book on Amazon called The Path of Love; A Way to Heal

In kinship,
Cie