Thursday, December 13, 2012

Through the Eyes of Albert Einstein


“Out of clutter, find simplicity.  From discord, find Harmony.  In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity”.

 


Albert Einstein was a genius and the practical applications of his theories, including the development of the television, remote control devices, automatic door openers, lasers, and DVD-players have shaped how we live today. 
The above quote speaks very plainly to how Albert Einstein lived his life and we should all learn from this brilliant man.
During this very busy and stressful time leading up to the holidays, we are all guilty of overdoing it.  Each Christmas has to be better than the last.  For years, my Christmas tree had to be perfectly decorated and get this, color coordinated with my living room!  I hand decorated Christmas stationary to match the cards I selected and baked every Christmas cookie in our family cookbook.  I also did all the shopping, gift wrapping, cooking – sound familiar ladies – and by the time Christmas rolled around I was usually grumpy, sick and not a very pleasant person to be around.
I don’t know if it was my guilt from being a working mother that I had to make Christmas so special or my competitive nature, or maybe a combination of both, but there I was year after year doing the same thing and driving myself crazy and everyone around me.  Another great Einstein quote –“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.
I regained my sanity and a very different philosophical approach to life when I moved to London in 2008 and into an apartment that was one fifth the size of my Connecticut house.  I learned that less is more and with the right approach to space optimization, everything I wanted was right at my fingertips.  I have never felt so free and unencumbered in my life and as a result able to enjoy all that life has to offer.  My ability to focus on what was important brought harmony to my life and a much better balance which led to opportunities to do things I otherwise would have overlooked.
This Christmas, we’re not putting up a Christmas tree because we’re heading to the UK for the birth of our first grandchild – the best Christmas present ever!  We don’t want any presents other than a healthy addition to the family.  From my other kids who are not yet ready to bless us in the same way, all I want is a letter.  They can write anything they want but it has to be from the heart.  I will cherish this Christmas like no other.
Here’s hoping this Christmas you are blessed with simplicity, harmony and opportunity.  A simple Christmas that focuses on what is important, harmony with those you love and the opportunity to see the good in everyone.
Oh, and by the way, is anyone interested in a 5 bedroom house in Connecticut?