Have You Learned How to Simplify Life?
The month of May always seems to be one of the busiest months of the year here in the Pace home. As I look at the full calendar ahead of us, I am already wondering if it’s possible to slow down and simplify life.
Our kids are in the thick of it all, which means I am as well. With their ages ranging from 9 to 17, school is about to get out for the summer, we are running from soccer games, to track meets, to musical performances and back again. The house is never quite clean enough, the yard has endless projects that need attention, someone in our family is always in need of a doctor or dentist appointment, and our business “NoellePikusPace.com” is an ever fluctuating and growing process. Being an entrepreneur definitely has its benefits, but oftentimes it’s tough to know when it’s time to clock out and close the computer at the end of the day. It never ends.
The days keep flying by, and although I feel like my “to-do checklists” should be getting smaller, they continue to grow…and grow…….and grow. There simply aren’t enough hours in a day!
One Day, My Life Will be More Simple
My mind starts to wonder, “When I complete my lengthy checklist, I’ll be able to slow down and simplify life. If I could just get caught up, then I’ll be able to do the more important things with my time. There’s so much to do, so maybe if I wake up earlier and go to bed later, I can get it all done! Once the house is clean, the yard is complete, the finances are stable, the kids are settled, my jobs are done and our health is optimal THEN I’ll be ready to strengthen relationships, improve my health and obtain my dreams! Actually, you know what? I know what will solve all my problems. I need a clone.”
Can you relate to this?
Do you feel the weight of projects, health concerns, tasks, life demands and expectations weighing down on you? Do you imagine that there will come a day in this life when you are completely caught up and there’s nothing left to do, make, build, fix or accomplish?
Finding True Joy
We often think success is about how fast we go, how much we achieve, what programs our kids are involved in and how busy our schedules are. But what really fills our souls are those small, still moments that are interwoven throughout our lives. True joy comes when we simplify life. We can see it in the form of bedtime stories, giggles, quiet walks and cherished friendships. It comes from slowing down, appreciating a breathtaking sunrise, serving a neighbor and gathering for conversations at the dinner table.
The Parable of Pebbles in the Jar
I love the visualization of this story.
There once was a man who carried a large glass jar with him everywhere he went. Each morning, he would rise before dawn and begin filling it with tiny pebbles. He would add one pebble for every task, chore, or obligation he completed. He was proud of how full the jar became each day and enjoyed the great feeling of accomplishment. Others admired him, calling him diligent, hard-working, and responsible. He even won badges, awards, and medals for his commitment to getting things done.
From the moment he arose to the time he laid his head on his pillow at night, and he stayed busy and added pebbles one by one. He never lingered at the sunrise or paused to listen to the birds. There simply wasn’t enough time for such trivial things. He didn’t sit with friends or play with his children, for he feared his jar would not be full enough. “There is no time,” he would say. “The jar must be filled.”
Years passed.
His back grew bent and his eyes tired, but still he filled the jar, now heavier than ever.
Leaving Space for Peace and Joy
One autumn day, he saw a child sitting beneath a tree, laughing as leaves danced in the breeze.
The man asked, “Why do you waste your time? You should be filling your jar!”
The child noticed this man’s jar of old washed up pebbles then softly smiled and replied, “My jar is filled! With moments like these, not pebbles.”
The man looked down at the pebbles in the jar, and for the first time, he noticed something. There was no color, no light, no laughter inside, only lots of little pebbles. It was full, but it was very empty.
From that day on, he began to leave space in the jar for laughter, for rest, for moments and for love. And though the jar never looked as full, his joy was filled and he finally found what he had been searching for all along. By simplifying life, he found peace and joy.
Surviving vs Thriving
When I read this story for the first time, I imagined how heavy of a burden it must’ve been for that man to carry a jar of rocks around each day. It would have caused a lot of stress on his body, and unnecessary weight. It would have taken him extra time to look for pebbles to place in his jar once his tasks were completed. This process would have filled his mind morning, midday, and night. Instead of thriving in life, he was merely surviving.
The story is a great reminder to me to put down my jar of rocks, put down my checklists, evaluate the expectations I have for myself and my kids, hit the reset button, and simplify life. I want to leave space in my schedule that is open to serving a neighbor, visiting with a friend or enjoying a sunset with my husband.
As the great philosopher Confucius once said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
There’s real truth in that. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who deliberately simplify their lives by limiting commitments, reducing clutter, and focusing on intrinsic goals like relationships and purpose, report significantly higher levels of well-being, lower stress, and greater life satisfaction.
Choosing What Matters Most
Simplifying life isn’t about giving up, it’s about choosing what matters most.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you’re sprinting through life, take a breath, slow down and simplify your life. Put aside your checklist… it can wait. Pick some flowers. Look your child in the eyes. Read a book. Laugh. Dance. Breathe. Meditate. Your finish line will still be there!
The real victory in this life isn’t about rushing towards the finish line, it’s about being present for the journey.
Quote to ponder
“Declutter, your mind, your heart, your home. Let go of the heaviness that is weighing you down. Make your life simple, but significant.” -Maria Defillo
Question to consider
When was the last time you visited with an old friend, took your child out to lunch or stopped to watch the sunrise or sunset?
Click on the links below to learn more about simplifying life
- Time Management Tip: Every time I use this time management tip, it takes a weight off my shoulders and allows me to see where I need to place my priorities.
- Mindset Minute Video – Finding Balance in Life: Comedian James Perry shares a time in his life where he had to slow down and focus on what mattered most.