"Too many activities, and people, and things. Too many worthy activities, valuable things, and interesting people. For it is not merely the trivial which clutters our lives but the important as well." -Anne Morrow LindberghAlmost annually I make a Literary Pilgrimage back to reread my old copy of Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It's just a small book, easy to enjoy in one sitting, but has such Great Wisdom for Women (especially Wives and Mothers).
I'm sure I'll quote Lindbergh in many future blog posts. She's one of my Mentor/Heroes. Especially her ability to articulate so well the challenges of raising a family amidst all the "Distractions" of Life. In all the Commotion of Kids, "Stuff," and "More Stuff," Lindbergh longs to find greater Simplicity. She yearns to feel Contentment in the "Here and Now." She writes, in part, as a bit of Therapy, but also finds Some Peace and A Few Answers within the Art of Writing as well. Lindbergh is gifted with words; I've quoted her in many Relief Society lessons, etc. over the years!
As the wife of Charles Lindbergh (the well known Aviator), Anne led an active, busy, and very full life. She also was well acquainted with Personal Tragedy. In 1932, their first baby, son Charles Jr., was Kidnapped from his crib, held for Ransom and Tragically Murdered. The media called it "The Crime of the Century" and the Spotlight and frenzied attention on their family was awful and certainly took an Emotional Toll!
The quote at the beginning of my post is a Classic; important to absorb because it is an Absolute Truth! We can get so bogged down (even with good things) if we aren't cautious to not Overbook our calendars and Overschedule our lives. Even when all the things we "choose" are "good things" we need to allow time for Rest and Renewal! I highly recommend reading the book at least once but I can almost guarantee that you'll WANT to repeat read it too!
Lindbergh points out: "One cannot collect ALL the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few." Again, that wonderful "LESS is MORE" concept!
