Begin at the beginning...

Ahhh....March is finally here and spring is just around the corner. The kids are running and jumping on the playground, a special spring in their step (no pun intended) and a certain youthful exuberance in the tones of their laughter.  Spring is the proverbial time for new beginnings, and that's just what our family has embarked upon--a new beginning of sorts.  We are trying to live more simply, to enjoy life and each other more every day.  How are we doing this?  Eating healthier with less sugar, salt, and preservatives.  Getting more exercise by purchasing bikes for the family and making a point to just go outside and walk or play every day.  Minimizing the chaos by organizing, streamlining, and decluttering.  Living life and improving our daily moods by taking time to smile at each other, hug one another, and laugh with each other.  Becoming a part of our community by getting involved with the school, church, and charitable organizations locally.   Going green by recycling, reusing, and definitely reducing.  Trying to bring balance to life by focusing less on the material and putting a budget into place for sanity's sake.  Doing things we enjoy such as being out in the nature, socializing with friends and family, doing jobs we love, and for me, writing this blog. I'm happy to report that after a few months of taking the scary first steps (i.e. "the plunge") and making these lifestyle changes, our family is healthier and happier.  I'm still learning every day, and making positive changes every day.  And some days, like with any implementation of big changes, we have our setbacks and stumble.  But that's life. I believe you make the choice to be happy or not.  I choose happiness.  I'll tell you about our journey in future blogs, and hope to get to a point to add stories of other people's journeys through life because I believe we can all learn something from each other, and everyone has an interesting story to tell.  That's the what....next blog: the "why".