At the ripe age of 77 I have started to learn so much of what you have shared in your postcard today. I now listen to my inner peace and slowly have let go of the past. The past is so much a large part of who we are in the present but I have realized, that like and overcrowded closet, some of it has to go so the present and future have room.
May you enjoy the peace and contentment in the small experiences of the life in the present.
This really resonates, Margaret — thank you for sharing. Letting go of the past isn’t easy at all. We naturally hold on to the good times and memories, but I think life becomes gentler when we’re able to loosen our grip on the harder ones too.
Thank you so much Catherine. I know what you mean about the next step - some days it feels completely clear and easy and another is like back to square one… But little steps will get us there.
You are so right. My clue that i am doing too much is when my creativity goes out the window. If i am too mentally charged, i can’t create, not even a new recipe.
It took me a long time to realized that. We are bombarded by examples of high achieving people. We are supposed to want that. It is a concious decision not too choose that path and live with the comments. I am lucky to not care what people outside my family/close friends think and even luckier to have family/close friends who accept me for who i am and encourage me to do what i like.
It is often the case, Misa, that you crystallize for me, things that I had hardly even realised were in my thoughts. I probably think of it as "decluttering" and that tends to make you think of physical "stuff" .. and, rest assured, that is a plan .. with 80 years of collecting in my wake, and so "a year or two" less than that to make it happen, "busyness" will be essential. BUT, more to the point for me .. NB, this isn't a resolution, I'm useless with them .. but a mantra that I'm going to have a proper go at implementing. How much time and complexity in our lives is invested in offering opinions and advice to others? So, thoughts, opinions and observations on lives and actions of others that flit into my brain will not be allowed to escape through my mouth .. or, come to think of it, my keyboard. AND, I am going to try to stop offering unsolicited, and very often unwanted and unhelpful, advice to family and friends. Being, of course, a good friend or relation if they ask and I sense check that they have. My gut instinct is that these are principles that can "decomplexify" my life and I hope that of other folks.
I loved this! I am a very active 82 year old! I am enjoying life so much more now that I'm not working, in every kind of committee possible, just plain on the run! The moments I have now for family (if I want!) entertaining (when I WANT) and just doing nothing is amazingly wonderful! Do your own thing; don't let others put demands on you that you really wouldn't want to do! Believe me, looking back, time truly did go way too fast. However, don't give up spending times with friends.......so important! Old saying...STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!
A beautiful piece of writing Misa and thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Letting go of all that keeps us busy and making us think that is what we need to make our lives worthwhile is not easy. It has taken me nearly 2 years to arrive at a place where I feel at peace with a more simple life and to enjoy the every day simple pleasures. This includes starting to knit again which I have not done since I was taught in Primary school in Shetland 44 years ago! It is such a delight to read your postcards when your thoughts speak so much of my own.
Beautiful photos and your lovely writing are a welcome respite from our very snowy Ontario winter. I love the snow which makes my winter hiking a little more strenuous and also for the beautiful new scenery it creates, even on the trails I’ve travelled many times.
I’m knitting again🤞and am determined to have a pullover ready for our trip to Norway in May. I realized how much peace it brings to slowly, methodically create something.
So many fond memories of Shetland and you Misa, inspire me every day♥️
When that objective has been achieved, what a wonderful lightness in the soul. Life becomes so much better and what fun to truly listen to the birds and other animals as they go about their life. There is an awareness that is attached to the challenge of letting go of the past!! Best wishes
Such a wonderful place to arrive at Misa..a real fullness of living in each day..the photos reflect that inner calm and contentment. When the storms arrive as they have in real life where I live, bushfires and flash floods, the calm of the weather has been restored while the devastation has been life changing. It is in these extreme challenges we endure and in time begin to reimagine and rebuild. We endure the internal storms that come and go within ourselves in all settings, do our very best to regroup and realise they all pass. It is what we take from them that reshapes the next steps…On a beautiful calm Summer’s morning it is indeed a privilege to reflect and soak up the sounds, the silence and the early dawn light…❤️
Thank you John, I’m glad you’re enjoying the photos. Living in Shetland, especially in winter, can be tough sometimes but you’re always rewarded by stunning views and open skies which I love so much.
At the ripe age of 77 I have started to learn so much of what you have shared in your postcard today. I now listen to my inner peace and slowly have let go of the past. The past is so much a large part of who we are in the present but I have realized, that like and overcrowded closet, some of it has to go so the present and future have room.
May you enjoy the peace and contentment in the small experiences of the life in the present.
Margaret
This really resonates, Margaret — thank you for sharing. Letting go of the past isn’t easy at all. We naturally hold on to the good times and memories, but I think life becomes gentler when we’re able to loosen our grip on the harder ones too.
Such a perfect post to awaken with. You have exactly captured how I feel. Now how to get to the next step. Thank for this bit of joy. And the photos!
Thank you so much Catherine. I know what you mean about the next step - some days it feels completely clear and easy and another is like back to square one… But little steps will get us there.
Lovely photos. I appreciate your insight. I feel as if I am going down the same trail and your note encourages me.
Thank you Kathryn, that means a lot. 💙
You are so right. My clue that i am doing too much is when my creativity goes out the window. If i am too mentally charged, i can’t create, not even a new recipe.
It took me a long time to realized that. We are bombarded by examples of high achieving people. We are supposed to want that. It is a concious decision not too choose that path and live with the comments. I am lucky to not care what people outside my family/close friends think and even luckier to have family/close friends who accept me for who i am and encourage me to do what i like.
It is often the case, Misa, that you crystallize for me, things that I had hardly even realised were in my thoughts. I probably think of it as "decluttering" and that tends to make you think of physical "stuff" .. and, rest assured, that is a plan .. with 80 years of collecting in my wake, and so "a year or two" less than that to make it happen, "busyness" will be essential. BUT, more to the point for me .. NB, this isn't a resolution, I'm useless with them .. but a mantra that I'm going to have a proper go at implementing. How much time and complexity in our lives is invested in offering opinions and advice to others? So, thoughts, opinions and observations on lives and actions of others that flit into my brain will not be allowed to escape through my mouth .. or, come to think of it, my keyboard. AND, I am going to try to stop offering unsolicited, and very often unwanted and unhelpful, advice to family and friends. Being, of course, a good friend or relation if they ask and I sense check that they have. My gut instinct is that these are principles that can "decomplexify" my life and I hope that of other folks.
I loved this! I am a very active 82 year old! I am enjoying life so much more now that I'm not working, in every kind of committee possible, just plain on the run! The moments I have now for family (if I want!) entertaining (when I WANT) and just doing nothing is amazingly wonderful! Do your own thing; don't let others put demands on you that you really wouldn't want to do! Believe me, looking back, time truly did go way too fast. However, don't give up spending times with friends.......so important! Old saying...STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!
A beautiful piece of writing Misa and thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Letting go of all that keeps us busy and making us think that is what we need to make our lives worthwhile is not easy. It has taken me nearly 2 years to arrive at a place where I feel at peace with a more simple life and to enjoy the every day simple pleasures. This includes starting to knit again which I have not done since I was taught in Primary school in Shetland 44 years ago! It is such a delight to read your postcards when your thoughts speak so much of my own.
Beautiful photos and your lovely writing are a welcome respite from our very snowy Ontario winter. I love the snow which makes my winter hiking a little more strenuous and also for the beautiful new scenery it creates, even on the trails I’ve travelled many times.
I’m knitting again🤞and am determined to have a pullover ready for our trip to Norway in May. I realized how much peace it brings to slowly, methodically create something.
So many fond memories of Shetland and you Misa, inspire me every day♥️
When that objective has been achieved, what a wonderful lightness in the soul. Life becomes so much better and what fun to truly listen to the birds and other animals as they go about their life. There is an awareness that is attached to the challenge of letting go of the past!! Best wishes
Such a wonderful place to arrive at Misa..a real fullness of living in each day..the photos reflect that inner calm and contentment. When the storms arrive as they have in real life where I live, bushfires and flash floods, the calm of the weather has been restored while the devastation has been life changing. It is in these extreme challenges we endure and in time begin to reimagine and rebuild. We endure the internal storms that come and go within ourselves in all settings, do our very best to regroup and realise they all pass. It is what we take from them that reshapes the next steps…On a beautiful calm Summer’s morning it is indeed a privilege to reflect and soak up the sounds, the silence and the early dawn light…❤️
I relate deeply with choosing simplicity. Thank you for this.
Beautiful reflections 🙏🌿
That’s it!! You succeeded in putting words to describe that need… well said and thank you!! Love the pictures too! 🤗
You live is such a beautiful place with truly amazing vistas. Thank you for sharing these photos. They are good for my soul.
Thank you John, I’m glad you’re enjoying the photos. Living in Shetland, especially in winter, can be tough sometimes but you’re always rewarded by stunning views and open skies which I love so much.
Misa,
Thank you for the reflections and your beautiful pictures!
Thank you for reading Laura, and for your kind words, it means a lot!
Absolutely perfect.
Thank you.
Than you Maureen! 😊