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Articles1
“Living Life From The Inside Out”
By Gwen Trader L.C.S.W. - C  (Continued)
The first principle is gratitude; simply giving thanks to God each day for our blessing. Blessings are as many and varied as the number of people who w alk the earth. They are simple (i.e. a new day, the warmth of the sun), not grand and acknowledging them opens up our soul.  Pause to give thanks, perhaps ending each day by recording in a gratitude journal that for which you a re grateful.  In the spirit of gratitude we become aware of how very “rich” we are and that we already possess all that we need to be genuinely happy.  
The second principle is simplicity. Once we become aware that we already  have everything that we need to be truly happy, we no longer need to “shop til we drop”, work hours of overtime, and fill every minute with busy-ness.  We can “let go”, learn to slow down, live in the moment and simplify our lives shedding both physical and mental clutter. This clutter also includes the addiction to worry and the false need to “having to get everything”  done before we can simply be in the moment.  We begin to see that we had our priorities backwards.  I am reminded of the scriptural account of Martha and Mary (Luke10:38-41) When Jesus visited the two sisters; Martha busied herself with the work of the house while Mary sat at his feet and listened.  When Mar tha complained to Mary, Jesus said to her  “Martha, you are worried and troubled over so many things.  Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Certainly Jesus’ message reflects what is essential for simplicity which is being in the present and doing what we must to cultivate the so ul, the inner spirit.  In the journey of life we must have balance between doing  and being.  The doing must always flow from the being.  
The third principle, order, will begin to happen naturally as our lives are simplified.  Ms. Breathnack recommends that we “bookend” our day with 30 minutes of quiet time in the morning (as we rise) and 30 minutes in the evening as we prepare for bed.  You may respond to this as I initially did, exclaiming “What! When am I going to find that kind of time?” The answer is that it is available; we just need to claim it.  This is the biggest challenge we face – choosing to prioritize our inner life over our outer life.  This may mean choosing such things as rising a ½ hour earlier in the (Next Page)