To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, not even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Shortly before I moved to Wyoming many years ago, I made a conscious choice to simplify my life. I got rid of anything I did not need. In deciding what to throw out or give away, my rule was if I hadn’t seen it for a year or more, I probably didn’t need it. And I had plenty of “stuff” I’d accumulated, and had not seen in years!

I was amazed at how little I needed to live a good life, the life I really wanted to live. While my simple lifestyle wouldn’t be everyone’s choice, I’m happy with it.

I know many folks who prefer big fancy houses, lavishly landscaped yards, multiple cars, etc. That suits them better than a simple life. I’m not criticizing or judging them. After all, I was one of them for many years.

Here are some words from Spirit

Most of you yearn for more simplicity in your lives. But you don’t know how to create it.

Your world has become cluttered in many ways. Your technology, wonderful and powerful as it is, can clutter up your life. It can take you away from what’s most important in your lives—your relationships, your health, your spiritual well-being.

We have occasionally spoken with John on ways he can simplify his life. Here are some ideas for you to help simplify your lives.

Remember how simple and joyful life was when you were a little child. Most of you have those memories, even if your childhood was less than ideal.

You would wake up every morning with joyful anticipation of what the day held in store.

You would immerse yourselves in the pure pleasure of being in the present moment, with no thought or care for yesterday or tomorrow.

You would run and play with joyous abandon.

You would accept love, and give it to all—your family, your pets, your friends, all living creatures around you.

You loved being outside, in nature, marveling at all the earth’s wonder and beauty surrounding you—all the abundant gifts Spirit had given you.

A child’s life is simple, uncluttered, uncomplicated. We don’t expect you to return to your childhood. But you could certainly benefit from the lessons your little wise, unworldly child selves have to teach you.

You could easily bring some of those memories and experiences into your adult lives. Then practice them every day.

You will recapture the simplicity and wisdom you knew as children. You will allow that simplicity and wisdom to transform you back into the joyous beings you were meant to be.

Here’s writer and designer Graham Hill talking about downsizing and simplifying our lives. As he says in the video, not everyone will want to simplify their lives as much as he did. But I think we can all make our lives at least a little simpler and less cluttered.

In the early 1980s John took a spiritual development course, and was introduced to his first spirit guide, Lydia. After Lydia arrived, three other guides also came to him: Archangel Michael, Tamarra, and Chief Joseph. Today these are John’s four main guides.

Besides his four main ones, John has various other guides. The entire group is really a multidimensional collective consciousness. John refers to the entire group simply as “Spirit.”

© Copyright 2014 John Cali. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Source Here