The notion of living a simple life, for many, is automatically associated with living a life that is somewhat unsuccessful; a life that is peaceful but not what we are fully capable of experiencing as flourished humans.

It has been my experience that the complete opposite is true.

There are some common misconceptions that I often come across which are worth addressing:

Misconception #1: The desire for simplicity is ultimately a desire born out of learned helplessness.

That is to say: “There’s no point living an extravagant life. It’s too hard, and not worth even trying”.

False: The desire for simplicity is born out of the maturity to be able to see that material extravagance is no match for inner majesty.

Peace and joy become priorities, and they are known to be influenced by value such as wonder, curiosity, relationships, appreciation, recreation, the arts and others alike – none of which require the acquisition of popular products.

Simplicity is never due to the anticipation of failure, it is welcomed because what is deemed as ‘success’ the the eyes of today’s commercial society seems useless. It simply does not achieve the result we are looking for. [Read more…]

Surely…

Surely if we play;

The violin of vision,

The drums of diligence,

The flute of friendship,

The clarinet of clarity,

The guitar or greatness,

Play the piano of peace,

Then, surely… surely,

We will create,

The Song of Serenity.

music ˈmjuːzɪk/

noun: vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

We all love music.

It brings such a serenity to our ears. Such joy.

And we can notice music all around us.

It’s not about which speakers are in our vicinity. But rather, which aren’t.

Where do we not find sources of audible beauty?

Have you heard the screech of one who has received a surprise gift or event?

What about the laughter of a newborn?

The caressing of wind over the tree’s new leaves.

Have you ever been indoors on a rainy day, unable to avoid the voice of rain; playing eloquently, persistently, passionately over the cemented base?

The song of the birds on a delightfully warm morning.

Snows’ visual album; silent with audio yet explosive on stage.

The disorganised elegance of an audience’s applause; the hands’ representation of appreciation, acknowledgement and celebration.

The performance of life itself is music to our ears. If only we were to notice it, absorb it and value it.

There is such reverence to be found in the human voice, whether it be composed to structural perfection or exposed by natures’ own intentions – through soft words, surprised outbursts, screaming, saying, screeching or even silence.

Likewise, the instruments of nature; the clashing of materials and objects, the unison between unrehearsed hands connecting in groups. This is music to be recognised. To be adored.

Music is so much more than a good song on the radio.

It’s the harmony of humanity.

 

Sometimes we need to just cry.

Sometimes things are not black and white.

Sometimes there’s contradiction.

Sometimes there’s hypocrisy.

Sometimes things just don’t add up.

Sometimes we act poorly, speak too quickly, think negatively.

Sometimes we are dishonest, unknowingly. Sometimes knowingly.

Sometimes we slip up.

[Read more…]

If you did, would you have time to hold anger?

Would you be too shy to talk to him? To her?

Would you care about others’ opinion of you?

Would you care about your opinion of you?

Would you walk when you could dance?

Would you smile when you could laugh?

[Read more…]

In a world where rectangle objects are reigning mankind’s attention, what does it mean to look at someone in the eye when greeting them?

When talking to someone in an era where a plastic object is beeping and flashing in one’s trouser pocket at all times, what does it mean to listen wholeheartedly, without any other distractions intruding in the conversation?

What does it mean to someone to know that the person they are interacting with is one hundred percent engaged, fully alive and here, right now.

We would like to think this is the very least we can offer those who we love. Those who have made us – at one point in our life – smile during a time of despair, laugh until our stomachs hurt, feel comforted at the sacrifice of their time and commitments.

If not a sign of appreciation, just to be of common courtesy and respect.

We are presented today with an inevitable influx of mass information coming from all variety of sources right to handheld devices rarely to be seen any further than an arm-length from our person.

So would it be worth considering the most primordial question when in the presence of loved ones:

Am I here?