Keep It Simple

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." - Dr Seuss

 

As humans we tend to over-complicate things. Life itself is a very complex system, but I truly believe that we often make things harder than they need to be. 

 

As we approached a new decade, my New Year's resolution was to simplify things in my life. I told my friends, family and co-workers that my focus for 2020 would be to "Simplify".  Get back to the basics. Find joy in the little things. Make teeny-tiny changes, improvements and shifts. Focus in on what matters most. If something works do more of it, if it doesn't stop doing it. Take things one step at a time, one day at a time.

 

Little did I know at the time what we would be up against as this year unfolded.  Life as we know it would be turned upside down with the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.  Work stoppages, furlough's, layoffs and changes in how we go forward in doing business for the foreseeable future. Stay-at-home orders, quarantine, travel bans, business closures.  Life has been forever changed.  This has become a resolution for the world to take to heart as we work through these unprecedented times.

 

Here are some simple reminders of things to focus on. Some may sound complex initially and may take a little work to put into action, but in doing so will add clarity to your life and in turn create more simplicity in what you do and why.  Others are simple reminders that make a world of difference when we make an effort to implement them into our lives.

 

Life is great, learn to live it. Life is too valuable and too short to be anything but happy, so make the most of it. Live every day with a purpose and on purpose, intentionally.  Remember that life happens for you, not to you. The past is exactly that, the past. You cannot change the past. You can only strive to be better and do better in the future. You are who you are today because of the life you have lived to this point. Take 100% responsibility for your life.  Work to be positive in all situations, and seek to find the positive in everything. Believe in yourself and in your dreams. Dare to dream big. If you desire more, do something about it. Face your fears head on.  Feel the fear and take action anyway. Live with no regrets by having the courage to go for it. Remember these three simple rules: 1) If you do not go after what you want, you'll never have it; 2) If you do not ask, the answer will always be 'no'; 3) If you do not take a step forward, you will always remain in the same place. Follow your passion. Do what you love and love what you do. Set goals and take action toward them daily. Don't give up and don't give in. Try harder. Try again. And again. In all you do, give it you all and always do your best. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Forgive yourself and others. Do more of what makes you feel good, and stop doing things that don't benefit you. Take chances. Smile often. Have fun. Listen to music. Sing and dance. Laugh with others, as much as you can. Learn to appreciate the things around you. Focus on what you already have, not what you do not. Find the joy in the little things. Carry an attitude of gratitude in all you do. Practice intentional acts of kindness daily. Share with others. Be courteous and respectful. Do your share to make things better. Leave things better than you found it. Look to improve yourself in some way, shape or form daily. Learn something new. Take care of yourself and your body. Eat well and exercise. Take time to relax every day. Embrace change. Focus on what you can control; your thoughts, your attitudes and your actions. Don't wait, start now. Simplify your life. Simplify your mind. Simplify your surroundings. Simplify your actions. There is no better time than now to start living the life you deserve. Aren't you worth it? Make today a great day!

Curtis

 

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." - Hans Hofmann