Small steps toward Simplicity

We are in our third week (or so) of homeschooling again, and it became quickly clear that Simplicity is key to our success. But, the Truth is, as many have blogged before: our life isn't exactly "simple". So, I find myself looking for ways to keep my expectations, and my spirit, simple.

We have somewhere to be every day of the week (M-F) right now. But, not until 3pm. So, this allows for slow starts. We begin our day with breakfast. In P.J's. Sometimes, we move seamlessly from breakfast to reading history, some days we all need a little more down time before jumping in. But, down time is also prayer time. Thinking time. Creative time. Journal time. Coffee time. Talk with a friend on the phone time. And, this is ok. Because the hours from 8-3 are long enough. I repeat this to myself often. There is enough. Enough time. Enough energy. Enough grace.

Our curriculum is simple too. Reading. Writing/Narration. Arithmetic. History. Religion/Bible. Nature Study (which has been all about the Humpback Whales that are visiting the island's right now!). What is simple is not the content, but the ways we encounter the content: on the couch; on the computer; at the dining room table; at the beach. What is simple is taking a breath before charging and rushing on. There is a simple moment to lift my heart to the Lord. To beg for grace. To encounter his loving embrace.

At our activities (Ballet, Basketball, Soccer, Brownies, Cub Scouts, Pottery, Homeschool Park Days, among other things) there is time. There are many moments. Moments to simply smile. Simply listen. Simply observe. It is not a race, this life we are given. It is a gift. A million gifts. An infinite number of moments. To journey towards Simplicity is to journey toward Heaven. To let all the goals and to-do lists and pressures take a distant second to Love. To faith. To family. To smiles and hugs (and for some reason, the smiles take a conscious decision from me!).

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