by Leigh
Simplify
verb
make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.
to make less complex or complicated;
to simplify a problem
"Ditch the resolutions.
To resolve means to find a solution to a problem.
You are not a problem.
The way you showed up for your life the past year
was necessary for your growth.
Now is a time to reflect. To learn.
To create an intention, a positive call to shift,
a spark of magic + manifestation
rooted in self-love
and backed with action."
The quote above really spoke to me as I was contemplating my word for the new year. I have never been one for resolutions preferring instead a single word. Sometimes my word comes to me quickly and other times I have to meditate on it for awhile before the word finds me. And I do believe that the word finds me. Last year I had a difficult time making up my mind as I tossed around a few different words, but one kept popping up in books I was reading or quotes in a magazine. But it wasn't until I was sitting in a movie theater when suddenly during the previews on the big black screen popped up one word in huge white letters-FOCUS. And that settled it. That was the sign I needed. So 2015 was all about focus.
Last month the internal debate for my 2016 word began. Just like the previous year there were a few words floating through my mind, but one kept popping up when I least expected it. As I stumble upon quotes in books, magazines, Facebook or Instagram…I write down or screen grab the ones that catch my eye. As I browsed through my recently saved quotes I started to see a theme and it was all about simplifying.
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." ~Confucius
What does simplify mean to me? It means stripping away the unnecessary clutter both physically and emotionally. It means to connect with myself and follow my heart. I want to simplify the way I approach photography and get back to my feel good roots and trusting my instincts. It means less multi tasking and more experiencing. It means making myself a cup of coffee and settling down with a new book. It means taking time in the morning to myself to meditate, stretch and set an intention for the day. And most importantly it means spending time with my family without the distraction of technology and simply enjoying their company. I hope that by simplifying my life I can feel an even deeper connection with myself and others. How about you? Do you have a word for the new year?
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary
so that the necessary may speak."
~Hans Hofmann
6 comments:
You've hit the proverbial nail on the head, Leigh. Simplify. It's everything. I've been working at simplifying for a couple of years. It's not easy but it's so worth it. I believe it gets us back to the core of life and puts us where we want to be - with the people and things that matter.
Three cheers for simplicity. For quiet. For not multi-tasking. For slow living and awareness and appreciation of what's around us. For me, that is what photography is at it's best, in it's pure essence. The true seeing and the awe and marveling that come with that experience. I don't want to spend my days scrolling IG on my crappy little phone or looking at youtube videos about cats afraid of cucumbers on Facebook. My word for this year is celebrate. I'm doing a 366 for the first time. It's only day five but it's been a lot of fun thus far. Happy New Year and thanks for this thoughtful post.
'getting back to my feel good roots'...yep. I totally get it. life is so full of distractions of every sort pulling us away from this place of mindfulness and intention. hope to bring some of this simplicity into my own life leigh. thank you for sharing yours!
I've had both focus and simplify as my words in past years. In fact, I so utterly failed with "focus" that I held it over for a second year, which was better. After a year of tumult and craziness, my word for this year is "calm". I tried my word out in the week between Christmas and New Years and it just cemented itself in my heart. Yay to not multitasking, to just enjoying the here and now and the people I'm with. Yay to creating calm and experiencing it. Good luck to everyone choosing their words and living by them for the year.
first of all -I love these stunning images. the simplicity of the first one drew me right in. I think simplify is so perfect for you it goes with your style! I had simplify last year and it really helped. good luck to you in this new year -I hope you are able to simplify and experience and enjoy all that is given to you.
I have not found my word yet this year -but I will.
interesting how we all seem to be on the same wavelength. so grateful to have found you all.
Lovely photos Leigh. My word last year was simplify, and I am thinking that I need to use that word again this year with all that is going on in my life! I think this is the perfect word for you and you will end your year in a much quieter place than you are now. :)
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