5 Tips to Simple Living

Life sure has its way of pulling us in different directions at one time, doesn't it?

Lately I've been finding myself on the edge of sanity, yearning for an escape from the busyness that keeps me from my creative self and the simple living I long for.

Appointments, kids, housework, extracurricular activities, pets, work, the computer, the phone, the boss. You know what I'm talking about. The craziness that keeps us from getting back to basics & living a more meaningful life.

Usually people have grand ideas of ringing in each new year with resolutions, or make the reoccurring statement of "someday" (myself included), only to find that "someday"gone & went without us even recognizing.

So how do we separate the "busyness" of daily life from the truly fulfilling moments we often let slip away on a routine basis?

Here are a few tips that might offer some solutions in embracing the "simple life" & how to avoid the  chaos that sometimes controls our way of being.

1. Let go of the "multitasking" mentality.

Do only one thing at a time. When reading, only read. When eating only eat, and so on. As you commit to only doing one thing at a time, start to then slow down the one thing you are doing, becoming more mindful of the moment. Multitasking can be a great asset in certain areas of your life, but it does not & should not, encompas all the areas of your life.

2. Ask for help when challenges arise.

People associate asking for help as a form of weakness or incapability. Most people I'm certain, are more than willing to help others during struggles or challenges, without seeing that person as weak or incapable. So why should you? Scientific studies prove that when a person offers to help another, the hormone Oxytocin increases in our brains, giving that person an altruistic "helpers high". If helping others is important to you, why not let others do the same for you?

3. Get excited about the little things & small victories.

We are constantly inundated through media & society trends: have more, be the best, have the best, be prettier, be skinner, be healthier, that we've become desensitized to the little things & victories that are happening around us on a daily basis. If you want to truly get in touch with these "little things" & "victories" I speak of, spend some time with a child between the ages of 3-5. You'll observe more celebrated little things & victories in a matter of minutes than you've probably allowed yourself to experience in days, weeks, maybe years. There are many lessons to be learned through the eyes of a child. All we need to do, is open our eyes & shut out the daily distractions we've succumbed to.

4. Find your inner artist.

With all of life's demands compounding our daily routine, we've forgotten that there is an inner artist in each & every one of us! If you aren't allowing yourself to maintain a hobby, interest or talent, you're denying yourself and others from gifts you were innately born with! Make a comittment to spend one hour a day, a week or even a month to do that "something" you've always wanted to do. You're never too old to learn to play an instrument, start painting, take dance lessons, sing with wild abandon, or slap some clay on a potters wheel. What is it you've been keeping yourself from doing because, life is "too busy"? If you have ever muttered the words "time flies", isn't it time to start doing that "something" you've always wanted to do? Life is short. Live a little life for yourself, not just for everyone else.

5. Scatter Kindness. 

I've experienced having very little, & having much in life. During times of having little, I always understood that somewhere, someone else had less. Kindness is a way of showing others, they matter, and that their well being is important to you. By implementing any one or more of these simple acts, you can BE that change so desperately needed in your life, and the lives of others!

Be Kind

Be Thoughtful

Be Empathetic 

Be Compassionate

Give & Forgive Generously

Use Manners

Volunteer

Share A Smile

Send A Note (not a text)

Say Thank You

Expect Nothing In Return

Love Unconditionally

How do you manage the complexities life throws at you? We'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas! 

No Con's of Pet Ownership

Ok, MAYBE there are a few disadvantages of pet ownership. After racking my brain here's what I came up with: 

They poop.

They eat.

They bark/make noise.

They dig.

They pee, puke & chew on your stuff.

They go to the vet.

They shed. 

You can't just lock up & go.

(Sounds frighteningly similar to parenthood)

But how many really think about the disadvantages though, when the advantages of pet ownership far outweigh the inconvenience? 

Now for the good news!

Nearly 25 years of research reveals the insurmountable evidence of physical & emotional benefits of pet ownership. Here are just a few.....

Physical Benefits

Increased Longevity after a heart attack: 

Dog ownership increases the odds for survival in persons who have had a heart attack from 1 in 87 to 1 in 15. Only 6% of non-pet owners survived at least one year after hospitalization for heart problems compared to 28% of persons with pets (Friedman, 1980, 1995).

Lower cholesterol and triglycerides: 

People with pets have been found to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to people who did not have pets, even when matched for weight, diet, and smoking habits.

Decrease blood pressure and reduce stress: 

Studies of people undergoing stress tests or physical examinations have demonstrated that the presence of a dog lowered their heart rate and blood pressure during testing (Anderson, Reid & Jennings, 1992).

Increase physical activity and functioning: 

People who own pets often have better physical health due to the need to exercise and care for their pets.  

Reduce medical appointments and minor health problems:

The use of prescription drugs and the overall cost of caring for patients in nursing homes dropped in those facilities where companion animals became part of the therapy.

Predict seizures & Hypoglycemic events:

Some people who have periodic seizures have reported that their dogs can sense the onset of a seizure or a Hypoglycemic event (low blood sugar) before it happens or the owners even sense it happening. Allowing owners to react to the pet alert prior to the episode of symptoms.

Emotional Benefits

Illness and Death: 
Children often turn to their pet for comfort if a friend or family member dies or leaves the family. Grieving adults who did not have a close source of human support were also found to have less depression if they had a pet.

Anxiety & Safety: 
Pet owners tend to feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or having a dog in the home.

Stress & Relaxation: 
Pets can help us relax and focus our attention away from our problems and worries.

Physical Contact: 
This ability to have something to touch and pet is very important. More and more studies show how important touch is to our physical and emotional health.

Mood Elevation: 
Pets decrease our feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing companionship to all generations.

Loneliness: 
Pets can help ease the sense of loneliness or isolation we feel.

Purpose: 
Everyone needs to feel needed and have something to care for. Many elderly citizens or people living alone will tell you their pet gives them a reason for living.

Consistency & Structure:
Pets provide some consistency to our lives. Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day.

I suppose there could possibly be more con's of pet ownership, but this is what I DO know (being a pet owner) as fact & cannot possibly be argued by anyone. 

Every human universally wants one thing in life. We all want to be loved. Loved without condition or standards; through thick & thin, no matter who we are, what we do or how we become. 

Pets are the only creatures on this earth that provide the unconditional, selfless love we all desire. The kind of love that never asks "what's in it for me" rather, is always asking what's in it for the beloved. 

A pets love is the highest form of unconditional love we humans could have on this earth. They protect us, guide us, provide laughter & support. They ward against fear & loneliness, uncertainty and loss. A pet is more than just "man's best friend", but a love that transcends any other emotion in our souls. 

 

"The purity of a person's heart can quickly be measured by how they regard animals". Anonymous

Greyfeather Farm would like to see your favorite photo of your beloved pet. Submit one and be entered in our "Pet Photo of the Month"contest. Each month we will choose our favorites to post on our website & send the winner a free gift! 

Don't forget to add your comments about the benefits of pet ownership. We'd love to hear from you!

Have a glorious day!

Greyfeather Farm

www.greyfeather-farm.com

1. Anderson, W.P., Reid, C.M., & Jennings, G.L. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 157, 298-301.
2. Friedmann, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J.J., & Thomas, S.A., (1980). Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Rep, 95, 307-312.