ROOTS

Living a simple life. What does that even mean? No it doesn’t mean living in a home with no clutter and nothing on the countertops. It doesn’t mean having peace and quiet, and everything in order. Its actually the opposite. When I say living a simple life, I am not necessarily referring to minimalism (although there are some aspects of that I agree with). Im talking about going back to my roots. Back to how I remember living as a kid. Back to not over-complicating and over-thinking everything, back to simplicity.

I had the best childhood anyone could ever ask for. Every afternoon was spent in the backyard playing until it turned dark. We didn’t need much. A ball, a sand pit, a little mud, a water hose (yes I drank out of it, and yes I’m fine); we always found a way to entertain ourselves and have fun without a bunch of fancy toys or a ton of people around us. We had us and thats all we needed.

I grew up in Desert Hills, AZ raised by a very southern family, which I think made the biggest impact on me in the best way possible. Its a way of life, its in your blood. We used to spend a week or two every summer in Richton, Mississippi. The tiniest, but my favorite little town ever. Theres green grass everywhere you look, and the roads are lined with huge lush trees, theres a church on every corner, the best little general stores, family is everywhere, and everyone knows everyone. Your storybook small town if you asked me. Some of my best memories were made there. Sitting in the swing at MaMas,  fishing with Momma Mae, picking blueberries in the front yard, walking to church to be greeted by the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, rolling around with cousins in the grass, riding in the bed of a truck in our bathing suits from house to house (and getting stung by a bee there for the first time), and getting sick from eating too much watermelon. All one hundred of us (not an exaggeration LOL) gathered in the yard just being together and enjoying each others company and conversation.  Its all those little things I cherish and remember. These people showed me what family is, and what family is about. I only saw them once a year and have felt more loved and cared for by them then I ever have by some of my estranged family that lived in the same town as me. I learned how family is supposed to interact with and treat each other.  I learned manners. I learned the Bible. Yes sir, no sir. Yes ma’am, no ma’am. To respect my elders. Good southern cooking. The value and importance of handwork and craftsmanship. Southern hospitality.

I learned what is really important. I had no cell service, the TV was never on. We had each other and each others company and that was all we could ever ask for. Family is everything. You don’t need much to be happy. You don’t need money or things. You need to be surrounded by people you love and to love and be loved In return and everything else will fall into place. Thats what I want to go back to. To that simplicity and feeling so free and alive. I was so carefree. There’s no reason I cant be that way now.

I’ve let the world and the worries of the world get to me. I wasn’t born to go to work, pay bills and die. I wont let that be me. I’m so consumed with my job, and pouring everything into a career that I don’t even want to be in anymore that I’m missing whats going on around me. I’m missing out on holidays and weekends spent at Granna and Poppas, and being around to make those little memories I know I will cherish so much down the road. I would rather give up a path to a good career and money and pursue something I am passionate about and be here. Right now. Where I need to be. Where I want to be. We’ve always been so close growing up; my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We see each other every Sunday at church an normally end up at Granna and Poppas house afterward for lunch and hanging out, and usually end up there other various days of the week too. And is it your typical idea of a “simple/minimalist” way to spend a day? Absolutely not. Its chaos. Its everyone bumping into each other and the sound of one kid screaming, one kid crying, laughing, everyone talking over each other, a western blaring in the background; all happening at the same time. Like I said; chaos. But thats what I want. Thats my bliss, my simplicity. If those were my best memories as a kid, why would my best memories be made any different now? My favorite thing in the whole world is being in a moment, and then removing yourself from that moment and just looking around at everyone just living their life; laughing, smiling, interacting with each other, and feeling such an intense gratefulness and just happiness that all you can do is tear up a little bit and smile. I want those moments to fill my all days.

So, i’m going back to my roots, back to that simplicity.  Roots grow deep and wide. To stabilize. A tree cant keep growing taller unless its roots are grounded and growing deeper.

I think the same goes for your life. You cant keep growing as a person and “going up” unless your grounded in your roots. In your foundation.

I really don’t want anyone to feel left out or talk down on their situation. If you don’t have those roots or that foundation that I’m referring to, don’t let that stop you from applying these principles. Your past doesn’t have to define your future. You can start growing those roots now for you family to pass on. You can be the ground zero. I’ve seen people very close to me hurt and tore down by their family. The one place your supposed to feel safe. I have seen and experienced this pain and grief first hand. But please remember that you have a heavenly father that chose you and made you perfectly in his image, and even if those people don’t love you in the way you want them to, or they’re not around to, God’s love is perfect and unconditional. Nothing you do can make him love you less. And I can’t think of a better starting point or blue print to start growing those roots other than that.

Its time to remember what its like to feel alive again. God is bigger than any of your problems, or worries. The best way to grow closer with yourself and God is to be in nature. Go outside, kick your shoes off, watch the sunset, Give it to God and go to sleep. Then wake up, ready to conquer your day, and take charge of your life. Because time is going to pass no matter what you do, so why waste one more second living a life your not happy with? Only you can change it.

Beginnings are scary, endings are normally sad, but its the middle that counts. Make your middle noteworthy.