Choosing theSimply Beautiful Life

Letting go of non-essentials so that you can joyfully embrace

what’s most important to you—that’s what it means to live a

“simply beautiful” life.

Choosing simplicityinvolves clearing away clutter thatdetracts from the true purpose and

beauty of your life. It means taking a fresh look at what you really value, and making sure you’re spending your time,

energy and money to supportyour cherished goals.

1. Think about your values, dreams and life goals. List the 5 most important things you want to do with your life from this point on.

2. Pretend you’ll suddenly die in three months. List the most important things you want to do with your remaining time.

3. Are your two lists in harmony? Of all the things you listed, put a star by the 3 most important.

4. What new steps toward your dreams and key goals do you want to begin taking?

Living Your Values

Yearning for BalanceNATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS

66 percent of Americans wanted to spend more time with family and friends.

56 percent called for a less hectic, more relaxed approach to life.

80 percent agreed that most of us buy and consume far more than we need.

30 percent had voluntarily downshifted to a simpler lifestyle

Examples: Surviving a plane crash with minor injuries, or being revived from cardiac arrest after a near-death experience.

The result is always the same: A reminder that our life is precious, that we no longer have time for pettiness,

that we have much to give, and the time for doing what is important is now.

Wake-Up Calls

Need or Greed?The average American uses far more than his or

her share of our planet’s resources.

We generate more trash—by a long shot—than any other citizens of the world.

The United States ranks first in billionaires and number one in children and elderly living in poverty.

We rank number one in big homes and number one in homelessness.

Clearing Away Clutter

What specific, creative suggestions can you offer for getting rid of old clutter and preventing new clutter?

How much clutter is there in your drawers, closets, attic, basement, garage, and living areas that is taking up space and is seldom or never used?

Making Fresh Starts

What suggestions can you offer for working through and releasing old emotional clutter?

What role can forgiveness play in freeing one from past hurts and resentments?

What are the benefits of forgiveness?

Another kind of clutter gets in theway of a simply beautiful life—

old hurts and resentments.

Universal Shopping List

1. Do I really need this? Is there anything I can use instead?

2. Will this item bring enjoyment and beauty into my life?

3. Is the cost of the item worth the time it takes to earn the money to buy it?

4. Could I buy it used? Borrow it? Rent it? Share the purchase with someone else?

5. How will this purchase affect the environment?

Intuition SimplifiesDecision Making

Honor your gut feelings and other signals from your body-mind.

Heed your conscience—“the still, small voice within.”

Pay attention to the feelings, thoughts and pictures that “pop” into your awareness.

Exercise discrimination and courage in following through on your inner guidance.

Try this: Limit your TV watching to 7 or less hours a week. Based on typical American television viewing habits, you’ll gain at least 700 hours of free time each year.

The Time Eater: TelevisionBriefly discuss the pros and cons of TV.

? ? ? How much is enough ? ? ?

Drowsy America Millions are seriously sleep-deprived.

About half of us don’t get enough sleep.

What problems are caused by sleepiness and lack of alertness?

What are some suggestions for solving the problem of inadequate rest?

Do What You Love

More cheerful

More inwardly satisfied

Physically healthier

Able to give more to others

More energized

When you follow your true passion, you are:

Support Yourself

Start a Simply Beautiful Journal. Get together with like-minded friends. Enjoy inspirational reading. Arrange periods of quiet time. Know when to say “no.” Spend time with nature.

When we start to make positive changesin our lives, we often run into resistance.

Ways to Support Yourself

Surround Yourself with Beauty

Pay more attention to what enchants you.As you dwell on beauty, you attract its healing

qualities into your inner and outer worlds.

What are some creative ways of adding more touches of beauty to our lives?

Beauty delights the heart and nourishes our souls.

Pause and Enjoy

Remember:The past is a memory,

the future a dream.But right now—this moment—is a gift. That’s why it’s called

the present.

Tune into and enjoy the countless wonders with which life

constantly surrounds us.

A Grateful Heart

Heartfelt thankfulness is a simple practice, one that awakens us to the goodness of life and reminds us that we are awash in a sea of blessings.

To be content withwhat we have at this moment,

to bloom now where we are planted—this is the wisdom of gratitude,

this is the very foundation ofa simply beautiful life.