Stories of Kindness from Around the World

On this eve of the 21-Day Simple Living challenge I'm sitting in reflection of what the term simple means to me.

Over the past two+ years I've taken step after step, some conscious others not at all, towards simplifying my life. As such I've stepped into a much slower, much more mindful day-to-day existence although it's often I step back into the busy and faster pace that I once knew. I believe Duane shared on a few Awakin calls ago that in simplifying we have the opportunity to realize what really matters most to us.

That also has shown truth for me, as I stepped into forming Wild Dream Walks, an organization that uses walking as a tool to connect community and lead people down the path of what matters to them most. This alone has given me the opportunity to serve from my heart for many people. This year I created a personal commitment to widen my daily practice of slowing down by walking the next 365 days with a new person each day.

Surprisingly, in just the first 8 days of this commitment, my world has expanded exponentially. In fact, earlier this week I was rushed out the door by a friend to meet with someone new that "I just had to connect with". In my rush, I mistakenly turned my stove to high instead of off. An hour later I got a voicemail from my property manager saying they had called the fire department as a neighbor had complained of smoke coming from my new home. Of course, I raced home the second I listened to this message. Upon entering, the still standing home, I found a note from the fire department saying they had entered, put out the charred pot of garbanzo beans, and that no damage was done. At the bottom of this very formal note, was the following statement in italics, "Everyone Comes Home". Such a simple and profound reminder. I'm thankful for the lesson in slowing down, again (rather than learning the lesson of rebuilding a home).

The incident reminded me of a friends mother (she's in the picture), who years ago, took me on a walk down her Ecuadorian town's street. I remember trying so hard to walk at her slow pace only my slowest pace was still so fast. At times, I had to count to 15 between each step to stay by her side. The entire time all she would say to me was "slow" and then she would smile and walk even slower. The thing was I physically felt like I could not go any slower at the time.

The truth was I just needed to choose to go slower which I eventually did, even though it felt incredibly uncomfortable. It's a sticky thing, living a life that matters to you most and living it simply and slowly. For me, it's a constant choice. Sometimes I choose to speed up, and get little smoky reminders, in return. Other times I choose simply and even then opportunities arise to quicken the pace. This is why I've joined the 21-Day Simple Living Challenge, so I can continue my practice of choosing simple, choosing what matters most, and doing that in connection with others wanting to do the same.