16 Simple Gifts to Love

When I decided to “broaden my platform” from parenting to other sorts of writing I thought it would be simple — and hoped readers of my parenting book and posts would come along. While some of my more business-y friends called it a re-brand, I simply no longer wanted to focus my writing exclusively on kids and parents.

A dear friend and successful author who had studied online identities offered to help me make gradual changes so that I could move forward without abandoning the past. One of the things I really appreciate about the process she uses is that it is far more focused on values than on logos or slogans. (slogos?) It was an enjoyable and reflective process. Eventually I found simplicity near the top of my list. I believe that whether reading or writing, student or teacher… simple, direct communication creates strong connections.

Simplicity also brings energy and enhances my creativity. Somehow the dots I need to connect are much easier for my mind’s eye to see. Apparently, I’m not alone. When I cruise around looking for others’ thoughts on specific topics I occasionally fall down a Google-hole. Sometimes I find quotations or ideas that would make good starting points for meditation. I hope you enjoy these thoughts on simplicity and, if one really strikes you, please let me know in the comments.

Three rules of work: out of clutter find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. ~  Albert Einstein

I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes. ~ Yves Saint Laurent

Simplicity is a practice, not a destination.~ BeMoreWithLess.com

The truth is that simplicity is almost always best because, when focusing on simplicity, your creative work becomes easier to understand, easier to recognize, easier to use (if it requires usage), easier to expand upon (if necessary), and downright easier to create. Simply put: simplicity makes things easy. ~ Tanner Christiansen

The truth is that simplicity is almost always best because, when focusing on simplicity, your creative work becomes easier to understand, easier to recognize, easier to use... Click To Tweet

I hope these simple things are what I forever love about life, for then I will be happy no matter where I find myself. ~ R. YS Perez

Take a breath and remember that simple is beautiful. Simple is intentional. Simple means focusing on the important. ~ unknown

I have learned over a period of time to be almost unconsciously grateful--as a child is--for a sunny day, blue water, flowers in a vase, a tree turning red. I have learned to be glad at dawn... Click To Tweet

Sometimes the best thing that can happen to a person is to have a puppy lick your face. ~ Joan Bauer

I have a simple philosophy. Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. And scratch where it itches. ~ Alice Roosevelt Longworth

I have learned over a period of time to be almost unconsciously grateful–as a child is–for a sunny day, blue water, flowers in a vase, a tree turning red. I have learned to be glad at dawn and when the sky is dark. Only children and a few spiritually evolved people are born to feel gratitude as naturally as they breathe, without even thinking. Most of us come to it step by painful step, to discover that gratitude is a form of acceptance. ~ Faith Baldwin

Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them! There is great freedom in simplicity of living. It is those who have enough but not too much who are the happiest.  ~ Peace Pilgrim

Simplicity is appreciating the small things in life. Simplicity is freedom from material desires and emotional desires — permission to simply “be.” Simplicity avoids waste, teaches economy, avoids value clashes complicated by greed, fear, peer pressure, and a false sense of identity.~ Livingvalues.net

Simplicity avoids waste, teaches economy, avoids value clashes complicated by greed, fear, peer pressure, and a false sense of identity. Click To Tweet

Simplicity is an exact medium between too little and too much.  ~ Joshua Reynold

I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~ Emma Goldman

My encouragement: delete the energy vampires from your life, clean out all complexity, build a team around you that frees you to fly, remove anything toxic, and cherish simplicity. Because that’s where genius lives. ~ Robin S. Sharma

Whatever simplicity I've achieved in writing, I think I owe most of it to Jean Renoir and Hemingway: simple, declarative sentences. I've read some... Click To Tweet

My mind was always very cluttered, so I took great pains to simplify my environment, because if my environment were half as cluttered as my mind, I wouldn’t be able to make it from room to room. ~ Leonard Cohen

Whatever simplicity I’ve achieved in writing, I think I owe most of it to Jean Renoir and Hemingway: simple, declarative sentences. I’ve read some very good writers, but the sentences were so long that I’ve forgotten what the point was. ~ Gene Wilder