live simply

man at Pikes Place Market, canon digital rebel xt

My husband and I discovered some beautiful silver antique Chinese coins while on our honeymoon at this quaint zen shop and spa. There were five of them and each one had a Chinese symbol engraved on one side and a written message on the other. At the top of each coin there was a hole, to string them together and hang the coins where you can see them each day. This was to remind you of the messages they hold.

I had them hung in my studio near my computer for a few years but a month ago I had to pack everything away in order to paint and renovate. When I put my studio back together, I couldn't remember where I put the coins.

Today my husband and I went for a walk along the beach and then strolled across one of the piers. When we reached the end of the pier, I leaned the top half of my body over the railing to get a closer look at the turquoise waves crashing below. I looked over to my left to where the beach stretched for miles and watched the surfers do their dance. Feeling the cool ocean breeze through my hair and the warm sun on my face, I remembered how much the simple things in life, like this moment, bring me such peace and solitude.

I thought about how I can so easily forget this and how I tend to complicate my life sometimes. Being with mother nature always seems to ground me. I need to spend more time near the beach and in the woods.

I came home and while standing at the sink in my bathroom, I glanced down and saw something sparkle at me. It was the Chinese coins. They were in a little dish where all of my favorite necklaces are. They were right in front of me in the midst of all my colorful gems but I hadn't noticed until today.

It was a little confirmation that I need to simplify. The five coins say...

1. Free your heart from hatred

2. Free your mind from worries

3. Live simply

4. Give more

5. Expect less