Category Archives: Living simply and happy

Good News: The Simplicity Concept

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simple day 2To some people, living the simple life conjures up thoughts of living out in the woods with no running water, cooking over an open fire and being entirely self-sufficient by growing one’s own crops and hunting and fishing. A bit extreme for most people in this world of modern conveniences.

The good news is there is more than one way of living a pared down lifestyle. We can chose to simplify our lives in ways that might better suit us rather than returning to the homesteading concept.

In the interest of simplifying my blog writing today, here is a link to a great article that outlines 10 ways to simplify your lifestyle. Do a little soul-searching by assessing which choice suits your interests best.

This blog is brought to you by the author of the award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Simplifying the Difficult

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Has there ever been a person who has gone through life unscarred? I doubt it because there is no such thing as a perfect life. Good times and bad times are all part of the human condition.Scars come in different forms – physical, emotional and mental. No matter what form scars take, anguish is it’s partner.

Today, on All Things Fulfilling, since we are focusing on things that might make life easier – think about this statement:

Simple philosophy 4

 

Understood! Save yourself some heartbreak by simplifying how you look at pain or sorrow. Change the perspective from difficulty to triumph. That’s all I’m saying but you can learn more about this issue through my award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard.

 

 

Simple Theme Week

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This week on All Things Fulfilling we are going to stick with one theme and see where it leads.

Simple blogging with thought provoking adages. Take a few minutes out of your day and ruminate. What do these mottos mean in the context of your life? Hopefully by weeks end, you will have reflected on ways you can simplify your life to make it more fulfilling for you and your family.

simple philosophys

If you missed last Fridays blog called Pounds of Love. I’d suggest you go back and read it. The story exemplifies today’s thought, and it is a story of thoughtfulness and compassion for others.

This blog is brought to you by the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Pounds of Love

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Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. ~Seneca

This is one of the best good news stories I have read in a long time about the power of women who band together to make the world a little bit better.

The heartwarming ingredients in the story include:

  • Nine compassionate women
  • A wonderful mission
  • Pounds of sweet beginnings and endings
  • 35 years of  secrecy and dedication
  • Southern soul, charm and kindness
  • Love for others and community

The end result: “Happiness Happens!”

Pound Cake with love

Do not miss this article.  Click here and read the full story.  Check in on us tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

Art for the Gain of Self

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“Effort is not measured by what you get for it, but by what you become because of it.” ~ Julie Leidel, The Bungalow Craft

There has been an increasing awareness of how creating art benefits the heart and soul. Don’t believe me? Psychology Today magazine has a series of articles that speak to this issue.  Check out their article on the rising popularity of adult coloring books. Why? Because people remember how fulfilling an activity it was as a child to create a picture with something as simple as paper and crayons, incorporating whatever colors struck their heart strings.

Many people say they don’t have an artistic bone in their body, but, you might surprise yourself if you allow yourself to participate in the creative experience without judgement – purely for the fun of it. Not everyone is slated to be the world’s next greatest artist, we all have our unique talents which run the gamut. Following our passions and our God-given abilities leads us down a path to personal fulfillment.

Seek, determine and shape your life from the depths of your heart ~ Sue Batton Leonard

 And remember:

Art Light signed
Above: This print and others are available from the Motto Series @

www.TheBungalowCraft.com

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

 

Bubble Brain

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When a person starts to talk about their dreams, it’s as if something bubbles up from within. Their eyes brighten, their face glows, and you can feel the excitement in their words. ~John C. Maxwell

Have you ever read a little tidbit of information in a magazine, newspaper, or book and then said to your self  “Oh, I didn’t know that!”

The other day I picked up O Magazine and read that bubble gum decreases our anxiety and boosts our happiness. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is reduced after 20 minutes of chewing. Scientists speculate that chewing gum provides benefits to our bodies because our blood flow is changed as well as our heart rate, making us calmer.

Perhaps there is some truth to this notion. We baby boomers loved our Bazooka, and then there was the other brand, Wrigley’s that “doubled your pleasure and doubled your fun.” No wonder life was much simpler and and less stressful back then.

I know when I hear the lyrics to this song from my youth, my happiness quotient is increased. How about you, babyboomer, does this tune bring a smile to your face? Do you remember it?

If your bubble has burst, and you are looking for ways to decrease your stresses and increase your personal fulfillment, this article gives other suggestions. Check it out and see you tomorrow on  All Things Fulfilling.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author, Sue Batton Leonard.

Bubble Gum, Bobby Socks, Malt Shops

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“The best things in life comes in threes like friends, dreams and memories.” ~ Mencius

It’s Friday! Let’s have a little more fun thinking of the past.

Yesterday’s blog motivated me to dig up some more nostalgia that I hope you baby boomers will enjoy. I don’t know about you but, when I think bobby socks, I automatically think bubble gum. Who among you remembers these lyrics?

Does your chewing gum loose it’s flavor on the bedpost over night?

Does your mother say to spit it out, and you swallow it in spite?

For those baby boomers who are considering writing memoirs and are having troubles getting started, I am giving you a few writing prompts in today’s blog. Here’s your homework over the weekend. Chose one of them and jot down your thoughts.

bubble gum and bobbie socks

I know, you don’t like homework and I can hear y’all whining now “What a drag! The teacher gave us a heap of homework over the weekend. I was going to go down to the malt shop for a frappe and hang out. Then to the sock hop. Now I’ll have to stay home and write!”

Well, here is a little homework help. If the picture and lyrics weren’t enough to stir your memories, perhaps this video will.

Have a great weekend everybody. This weekend shake a leg and get your own T-W-E-E-T, T-W-E-E-T thing going.  See you right back here on All Things Fulfilling on Monday!

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Bringing Memories Alive

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We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory.” ~ Georges Duhamel

Today on Thirsty Thursday, I’m sharing this video purely for a little fun and with hopes of stirring your memories. If you are a baby boomer or even more mature than that you may remember this little ditty. If you remember the song and the era, celebrate! That means you still have some of your faculties intact. Hip-hip hurray!

As you listen, scroll through the images below. What do you associate these pictures with? Write your thoughts down.  Ready, set, get started!

 

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haircurlersLamb chop

ice grinder vintage

desks with lift top

diary with key

diaper pinsgummed reinforcement rings for notebook paper

kukla fran and ollie

line dance

evening in paris

library dewey decimal

soda fountain

pincurls

dippity do

little rascals

That’s all for today on All Things Fulfilling. I don’t want to give our aging readers sensory overload. We will dig up some more nostalgic images and share them in the near future!

This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Books on Spirituality

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Statistics indicate fewer people are church-going. The reasons for the decline runs the gamut, and it depends on who you talk to and what media you favor. What do you think is the truth of the matter?

As I was writing this blog, I saw this statement come across my social media news feed.

worth

It immediately lead my ticker tape of thoughts to ponder what people really value in today’s world. Are we Americans perhaps not as interested in things that lead to inner growth and development and more interested in keeping up appearances? Does valuing one have to be exclusive of the other? I don’t know, but it sure begs the question.

I’ve noticed there is a new generation of books that have sprung up regarding spirituality.  Today on All Things Fulfilling, I’d like to mention a few of them. I am not pushing any of them or their authors because I have not read these publications. I’ve posted these publications for no self-serving reason other I find their titles interesting and thought worthy.

  • Wearing God
  • Accidental Saints – Finding God in All The Wrong People
  • Searching for Sunday
  • There’s a Woman in the Pulpit
  • Saint Mazie: A Novel
  • Prayer, Write, Grow
  • Mudhouse Sabbath
  • Girl Meets God
  • The Wisdom of Stability
  • Praying in Color
  • The Sacred Year: Mapping the Soulscape of Spiritual Practice
  • Tables in the Wilderness: A Memoir of God Found, Lost & Found Again
  • Every Bitter Thing is Sweet

Do any of these titles appeal to your personal interpretation of what spirituality means to you? If so, pick up one of these titles, read it and write a review on Amazon.com or send us your thoughts through this website.  Reviews help other readers decide whether a book is worth reading. Why did it touch your heart and soul?  Authors appreciate feedback from the public!

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Click here for more information on her  publications, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

 

 

 

Take Time: Celebrate Self

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When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow. ~ unknown

If it’s been a challenging year, and we all have times when it rains on our parade, there is even more to praise for having gotten through it. Sometimes it’s hard to beat our own drum and we need a little help. In this article there are ten good suggestions, in case you are at a loss.

One of the best ways to celebrate self is to tap into your inner child. Walk in the rain, deck yourself out in colors of the rainbow, run in a gunnysack race just for the pure fun of it. Toast up some marshmallows and don’t worry about your waistline, find a swing set in the park and find glory in the feelings of freedom as you soar clear up to the sky.

Find your own bliss and celebrate life!

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This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard. For information on her award-winning publication Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.