We’re still cleansing, and it’s apparent from the blooming daffodils and crocuses that Spring is springing forth, which means it’s a great time to start cleansing other aspects of our life as well.  Hopefully we can do this creatively.  I’ve already rearranged the living room (giving away our large couch) and our bedroom, helping the energy to flow differently, maybe even better.

Then, I ran across this article from Oprah’s website/e-newsletter.  (Now, I know many people have different reactions to Oprah, but if you take away the glitz, glamour, publicity and money, I believe that she, too, is just another woman on this journey of life, trying to figure something out.)  The article, “Back to Basics: Living with ‘Voluntary Simplicity’” is self-explanatory in title.  I enjoyed reading the article, written mainly to share a single mom’s experience of walking out of her life to walk into a simple way of living and written from an obviously mainstream woman’s perspective.  Honestly, it made me crave a cottage in the woods, too (but with four kids, I would need more space!), and it helped me realize that I know the steps to simplification.

The article reminded me that I do need to continue moving forward in simple living.  It’s time to start working in the garden.  I’m due for a homemade batch of detergent again, and after this cleanse, I can’t wait to get back to the kitchen to start cooking even more wholesomely (if that’s even a word!). 

Time to open the windows, let the wind flow through and get to work!

The article features Simple Living Institute, Inc.  You don’t need to go to Orlando, though, to learn what they’re teaching.  There’s an abundance of local resources, if you look in the right places.

Today marks Day 4 of my Master Cleanse, the third time I’m trying it, hopefully the first time I actually make it through all 10 days.  I’m not doing it alone, though.  My husband and two other couples are doing it, along with some others.  Were it not for the support, I would have already quit.  My constitution is weak.  I dearly enjoy a good meal and am blessed to have the ability to provide such.

But do I need lavish meals?  No.  I want them.  I enjoy everything about preparing a meal, no matter how much I might complain.  I especially enjoy when the meal is shared, when I can provide nourishment to others.  During the Journey class I’m taking, we took our spiritual gifts inventory, and hospitality is definitely one of my gifts.

Having elaborate meals is a want, but being in relation to others may very well be a need.  Dinner parties give me the best of both worlds, and my husband and I are deciding to make this a regular part of our lives.  Our goal, however, is to prepare healthy meals.  We just need some more planning.  When I have a list of resources, I promise to share.

What other ways can we consciously see where our needs and wants combine?  What wants can we truly give up, do without?  Are all our needs being met?  We may think we want a space of our own, but isn’t it really a need if it improves the quality of our life?

It’s a difficult topic, determining what is crucial to our “quality of life.”  At the core, our needs are the same.  Our layers, though, begin to differ depending on where we live, our society, our livelihood, etc. 

What are we doing to improve our own quality of life?  What are we doing to improve the lives of others?