Karen Marie...SLOWING DOWN TO FIND YOUR WAY! :-)

Karen Marie...I've been feeling the same WAY!...And I try so hard
to SLOW DOWN...maybe that's IT...I try too HARD. :-) I put out
a motivational newsletter and just this last week did one on
slowing down. It has nothing to do with herbs, etc...but has
some priceless advice in it...I'll post a little here...We also
live in the country...but we LOVE it. We have 5 acres, and it
was my dream to "live like we were back in time" after the kids
grew up and were on their own. :-) We have a big cottage garden,
a secret garden that covers 2 acres, with trees and paths and
surprises here and there, we have a big grape harbor, strawberry
garden, blueberry patch, vegetable garden, apple and pecan orchards, and herbs and
flowers everywhere...all the old fashioned stuff like hollyhocks,
hydrangeas, hibiscus, roses, etc. But you know WHAT? It looks
beautiful, and when you pull down our tree lined lane, it's like
you're pulling INTO...the year 1925!!! :-) But it is so much
WORK!!!!! :-/ Doesn't seem like it was that WAY in 1925...
seems like the "laided back life" just....HAPPENED! :-)
About 3 years ago, I heard about a little old lady that lived
WAY up in the country...25 miles from NOWHERE...they said she
had herb gardens everywhere...helped treat ailments with herbs,
was a walking encyclopedia of old legends, etc....so one day
when my husband was at work, I got in the car and drove up
there....When I FINALLY found her...after asking several people...and found the place to turn down HER lane, it was
ALSO like driving into 1925....but the "feel" was there... :-)
she met me with a hug...she was short, kind of chunky...her hair
was in a "bun" :-) She seemed so "calm" and at "peace"! Like she had all the time in the world to "visit" with me. And she was just full of stories....
I spent the entire afternoon with her...and when I left, I was
so relaxed...I felt like a wet NOODLE! :-) She said there
are times when she doesn't go out into the world past her
mailbox for 3 months at a time. And as much as I'd like to...
I just can't DO that...for one thing...there's family and
church...I see to so many elderly people, I hardly have time
for myself! :-)
She says during the winter, she sits by the fire and reads
her books. She still studies herbs, gardening, etc. SOOOOOO
this winter, I plan to have one day a week to do just that...
but I'll have to work like crazy the other 6 days to pull it off.
ok...here goes a little from my newsletter...Parts were taken from..."Real Moments" and "Take Time" if you like to read that
kind of thing.

TAKING TIME FOR WHAT'S IMPORTANT!
In this fast-paced world of hustle and bustle, the small, simple
pleasures of life are often drowned in a sea of expectations and responsibilities. Often we miss the brief reminders all around us of God's love and faithfulness to us, not because we do not need them but because we do not take the time to look.
Take a refreshing break from the busy demands of life and be
reminded how much God loves you and how beautiful His nature is.
Take time to breathe deeply, listen to an elderly person, forgive an old hurt, give a hug spontaneously, sit in a rocking
chair and just feel the peace. Find a reason every day to sit
back and go "Ahhhhhhhhhh"!

It seems like everything is rush, rush these days! Friday evening arrives and we wonder where the week went. New Year's
Eve comes, and we wonder where the year went. We look up and
we're turning fifty, or sixty, or beyond, and we wonder where
all the time went. We watch our children graduate from school, or start families of their own, and feel like it was just
yesterday that we rocked them to sleep or taught them to tie their shoes.

"First we were dying to finish high school and start college.
Then we were dying to finish college and start working.
Then we were dying to marry and have children.
Then we were dying to retire.
And one day, we find ourselves dying...and we suddenly realize we forgot to take time to live!"
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"THERE IS A LOT MORE TO LIFE THAN HAVING EVERYTHING!"
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"I WANT TO SET HEARTS YEARNING FOR INNOCENT PLEASURES AND
SIMPLIER TIMES!"
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BEGINNING TODAY
Beginning today, I will no longer worry about yesterday!
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today, I will no longer worry about tomorrow!
Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today, I will cherish each moment of my life. I value
this gift bestowed upon me in this world, I will unselfishly share this gift with others. And I will use this gift to enhance
the lives of others.

Beginning today, I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will take time to look and listen for there are wonders all around me.

Beginning today, I will take time to watch a sunrise or a sunset. I will listen to the birds sing, look for formations in the clouds. I will take time to smile at passing strangers, and buy lemonade from the kids in their front yard.

Beginning today, I will reminisce, call an old friend, and take a mini-vacation in a daydream.
Beginning today, I will start to really live. For it is only in really living that we can pass from this life in peace!
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There's lots more...but I've been quite long enough, this time. :-) You know...this computer hasn't helped "free up"
any time EITHER! I'm always running in to see who's posted
WHAT. :-) It's just a different day and time...and It really
isn't possible for most of us to slow way down...but I'm sure
going to TRY! :-)kathryn