The Simple Choice
Merry Christmas to all of you hard-working, family-loving homeschoolers!
This month has been packed with eight different drama performances, but last week I finally managed to get the tree and a few decorations up so it looks like Christmas around here now. I sent out our cards with a family newsletter, and over the past several days (and overflowing into this week...), I've been helping my 17yo daughter with her many college applications (all coming due very soon).
My oldest two kids are home visiting for a while, so the house is full to the ceilings (nearly literally) -- and I must admit that it's also quite loud. With laughter and jokes and more laughter and shared memories and lots and lots of food and intense political discussions and more laughter and more food and ... yeah, like that.
To put us in the real spirit of the seasson, our weather has cooled down, and we even had some snow last week -- for a whole hour or so on three different days before it melted! My 10yo made a wonderful (actually, pathetically small and smooshed together and half-dirt, but pretend I didn't say that...) snowman. I give her extra points for ingenuity and optimism.
On another blog I write, one of my categories is called A Simpler Life. That's because a "simpler" life is something I strive to live. Hence, my mode of homeschooling -- the relaxed style. I've read books upon books on the advantages of simplicity. Maybe you have, too. I believe in the simple life. I long for it. And usually I live it.
But sometimes the simple life has heaps of deadlines and detailed requirements thrust upon it, and we have no choice.
For there to be major drama productions, there must be costume fittings, technical adjustments, and dress rehearsals. For there to be college educations and scholarships (at least in this family), there must be a season of tests and essays, auditions and apps. For there to be happy kids in a crowded house, there must be plenty of food, and thus, mother must routinely visit the grocery store.
But there are other times we make a choice to stray from the simple path for various foolish reasons. I am just as guilty as anyone else despite my self-proclaimed love of the "simpler" life. Yet knowing our weakness is more than half the battle, for we can only fight against what we know. Sometimes I'm tempted to buy just one more gift, plan just one more activity, say "yes" to just one more request on my time and sanity, but then I remind myself to step back and evaluate.
Am I being the person I am called to be? Am I doing what I am called to do? Am I following the path that has been laid before me?
Because really -- it's just that simple.
Blessings on you all this Christmas,
Kim
Comments Comment form below...
Sarah 2009-01-14 16:00:27
Thank you for this post. I wish I'd seen it before Christmas! We don't live the "Simple Life" as much as we should. Thank you for the reminder.
Online homeschooler 2009-04-28 07:44:16
I'm a believer in a relaxed life style. One idea that I adhere to for both work and homelife is that all things have their season and part of success is recognizing the season and what is called for. In your post, it's college application season. That's not a relaxed season, that's a "hit the deadlines" season.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other more relaxed and fruitful season. I find the web, providing individuals the power to readily understand their choices, access curriculum, and take advantage of a multitude of distance learning opportunities, has made <a href="http://www.homeschoolonline.org">homeschooling online</a> a more fruitful type of education
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