Free Time

Free time is a concept that I struggle with. I lust for free time. My work only requires me to be gone several hours at a time several days a week. However, my home life is full throttle all the time. At present I am facilitating a course on Voluntary Simplicity and this is keeping me on track a bit. So what if the floors don't get swept, if I get to lay in the hammock and look up at the sky this helps my mental state more than clean floors. There is a part of me that has the old Protestant work ethic. Sometimes the little devil on my shoulder tells me I am a bad person for letting some things go; What if my mom comes over. She always makes some remark about how the kids should help me clean more. Mom if your reading this I still love you even if you gave me the O.C.D. gene.

Tips on free,frugal, earth friendly leisure:

1. Take a walk. Nothing better than getting out and taking a walk. I meet my sister in law several times a week at the park and we walk and talk. I enjoy seeing the changes in the plants. I am getting to know a lot more canines. I happen to love anything in the furry family. This makes me very happy.

2. Read a book, from the library of course. I love to read. If you don't, borrow a DVD or a book on C.D.. If you drive an ancient car like me they still have tapes at the library.

3. Play games with your friends or family. Blake and I have some friends who like to play cards. I love those times and they cost me nothing except a little food for the
potluck, I would have to eat anyway.

4. If you are blessed enough to have a porch have some people over and sit and talk.
Have a drink or some tea and enjoy the company. Who cares what your house looks like, your friends will be glad you are normal and they don't have to compete with you.

Namaste"
Courtney