simple life – Dawn Lupul

December 22, 2019December 22, 2019

The Simple Life

Part of my heart still lives in this special place in Puerto Rico

I have been fortunate in life to travel a great deal, and through my adventures I have met many people who live lives very different from my own.

In Puerto Rico I stayed in a condo that was part of a gated community, with three big high-rises contained within. It was right on the beach and had a tennis court, swimming pool, a library and security. It was safe and clean and full of both snowbirds from the States and retirees from Puerto Rico.

I loved it. It was quiet and secure and the people were friendly. I would return there two more years after the first, staying as long as six weeks at a time. It’s where I discovered who I was meant to be.

July 21, 2019

Embracing the Simple Life

They say that life is a journey. I disagree.

A journey implies that there is a destination. I am living with the hope that I will never arrive.

Because honestly, the finish line is the one ending we all have in common.

Along the way, and before the final goodbye, I hope to laugh, to love, to embrace every day as the precious gift that it is. The reality is that it could be the final goodbye at any time, and we never know when exactly that day will come.

I’m going to live today like it’s never happened before and will never happen again. Because, that’s exactly what it is!

Five Ways to Enjoy the Life You Have

Be grateful – We forget how fortunate we truly are. As long as there is breath still in you, then there is the opportunity to be grateful. No matter how bad it may seem, remember that everything is temporary. Including you.
Laugh – Whatever puts a smile on your face, do more of that. Watch a funny movie, look at cat videos, or spend time with people who appreciate the lighter side of life. Research has shown that an upbeat attitude can change your physiology and assist the body to heal and recover from serious health issues. Laugh out loud like no one is watching.
Give – Give freely of yourself, whether it is your time, your expertise, or your companionship. By giving to others, we forget how needy we can be sometimes. Those who give always receive far more in exchange. Do it because it feels good.
Dream – Never stop believing that you can achieve anything you want. Strive to improve yourself by learning and doing things that challenge you. Don’t always look for the path of least resistance.
Learn – School is where we are told what to learn. Life is when you get to learn what your heart leads you towards. As long as that heart is still beating, fill it with the joy of discovery and the more you learn, the more you will realize that you truly know nothing.

Dance, live, love and laugh. Take the gift of life and cherish it like your most valuable possession in the world.

It really is, isn’t it?

July 15, 2019

Goals

Accomplishing things feels good. Making lists, checking off the tasks as they are completed – all of this gives a sense of satisfaction. But why?

Is that all there is to life? Getting things done and then planning more things to do?

Of course there are actions that need to be taken everyday. From the mundane to the unusual, life is a series of tasks and motion.

Is the movement forward though or just in circles?

I am making a concerted effort not to accomplish anything, and in so doing I hope to get everything I need. Not everything that I want, but everything that I need. There is a big difference.

Life is a series of experiences, not accumulations. I don’t need more stuff. I don’t need newer and better and bigger stuff.

I want to get rid of all of my stuff. Well, some of it anyways. Just the things that weigh me down.

It’s the doing that I want, not the having. The memories that I build with friends and family are what I will cherish to the last day I am here.

The stuff? Not so much.

So here’s to a slightly more minimalistic lifestyle and all of the freedom that I hope it brings!