A Simple Poem, A Simple Life

On By Michele LeeIn Inspirational People, nature, Outdoor Adventures, Prose, Reading, Verse
As a child I wanted things.
As a teenager I had irreplaceable things stolen.
As a young woman I acquired more and more things.
I am no longer any of those things.
I now give away things.
I like the space created by giving away things.
I gave away a classroom full of teacher things.
I need less things.
I buy less things.
I now spend less time acquiring more matter
and more time on things that matter most.

The book, The Sweetness of a Simple Life, is my go-to source for living a healthy lifestyle, for myself and the planet. The author, Diana Beresford-Kroeger is not only a brilliant natural scientist who incorporates her vast scientific knowledge into her writing, she captivates with a descriptive and storytelling style. A remarkable and highly engaging combination! Her book covers a variety of topics and is categorized into three parts: Health and Food, Home and Garden, and The Larger World.

Each section contains short chapters that read like interesting essays. A sample of essay titles: Get Some Sleep, Real Brain Food, Aboriginal Medicine, No Cell, Baking Soda, Antibiotics, Cheap Chick, and Dem Bones. Part III, the “Larger World” is my favorite. This fascinating section features extensive details about trees (the inspiration for my photo shares in this post). Beresford-Kroeger writes about the lengths she has gone through to find and grow rare trees and she details community projects she has led to propagate trees. If you are interested in learning about lifestyle choices that benefit you and the planet and enjoy learning about the science behind those healthy choices, I highly recommend this book!  

From Author’s website:

Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a world recognized author, medical biochemist, botanist and climate change visionary. She possesses a unique understanding of modern western science and ancient Celtic knowledge.  Orphaned in Ireland in her youth, Beresford-Kroeger was educated by her Irish elders who instructed her in the Brehon knowledge of plants and nature.

Told at a young age that one day she would need to bring this ancient Celtic knowledge to a troubled future, Beresford-Kroeger has done exactly that. Diana has been working to preserve the environment since the early 1960s when she identified climate change as one of the most important challenges we would face in the modern age. This set her on a course of rigorous scientific study where she achieved a masters in botany and two PHD’s – one in biochemistry and the other in biology.  In 1967 she discovered genetic smearing, which changed the way scientists studied microcosms under a microscope.  Diana also discovered cathodoluminescense in biological systems, which is now used to detect cancer.  But because of her Celtic roots her heart was always with the forest…

I encourage you to learn more by visiting her site: (https://dianaberesford-kroeger.com/) Note: Clicking on book title or cover page will take you to her book. I receive no endorsements from this post – just the satisfaction of promoting this amazing woman and her meaningful work.

“I want to remind you that the forest is far more than a source of timber. It is our collective medicine cabinet. It is our lungs. It is the regulatory system for our climate and our oceans. It is the mantle of our planet. It is the health and well-being of our children and grandchildren. It is our sacred home.”

~Diana Beresford-Kroeger

Thank you for visiting and reading! Be well. 💗 Michele

Photos: my images taken during recent trip to Oregon

For more of my photos, visit @mlsefton

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

85 thoughts on “A Simple Poem, A Simple Life”

  1. mikemeyer949

    Great poem, Michele. Particularly; “I like the space created by giving away things.” A deeply resounding line for me today. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  2. Michele, Your poem resonated with me. Material things matter less and less. I too gave away a collection of teaching materials when I retired. I passed along many mementos to my children. I continue to try to simplify my life. Experiences have more value than possessions. The accomplishment of goals deserves more energy than maintaining unneeded material things.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Experiences over possessions. Yes! I have been purging possessions for the last few months – not easy but liberating. ✨ How much stuff do we really need? Your comment resonated with me, so thank you very much, Cheryl, for sharing. 🙏🏻 Love your closing statement. It is a statement!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  5. A simple poem is not “simple” after all for it shows the intricate sophistication and stunning transformation of a womanly journey 💕🌷. A pleasure to read each line and hear the echoes in my heart ❤️. Thank you for sharing, dear Michele 🌻🤗

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. Well, when you put it that way… 😁 Thank you, poetess Annabel, for recognizing and describing the layers of a life. ❤️ An echo that reverberates! 💞🤗 My privilege and pleasure to share Beresford-Kroeger’s work. She is amazing! 🤓 🌳🌱

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Oh, sorry for that late response(somehow this message went unnoticed🥲)

        You comments are always exceptional, Dear Michele! A quick wit that you possess is a beautiful gem 💎!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I understand. That happens to me from time to time. It seems whenever I wonder how you are doing, you show up. Very special! 💖 Thank you very much, Annabel. I hope life is treating you well. 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, it is! It is packed with fascinating information. I also appreciate how the book is organized – each topic presented in a manageable essay. If only my science teachers were as interesting and engaging as her! To some, detachment may be perceived as uncaring, but I think it frees us, and others, and allows more love and peace to flow into our lives. I value your feedback. Thank you! 🙏🏻

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  7. This is what matters most to me now that I’ve aged.

    “I now spend less time acquiring more matter
    and more time on things that matter most.”

    Thanks for sharing this, Michele. 😊😊😊

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  10. So inspiring poem to read and can understand the reality of a simple life 🌷🙏👍
    So awesome nature photos and in between so beautiful dear you with showing
    The Book , very lovely photo💓👍🌝 I’m so happy to read the great Author’s book’s
    Article and her lines about climate changes and she expressed the forests how
    Beneficial for us ” I want to remind you….And it is our sacred home ” so touching 🙏👍
    Thank you for sharing so wonderful true message dear friend 👏🏼💓

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  11. Thanks for the introduction to Diana and her important work Michele. I live and love the simple life, having changed much as you described. I can’t wait to read Diana’s book. To simple lives that matter and connect us with nature.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. You are most welcome, Brad! I believe through simplicity we can find deeper meaning. I am learning. 😁 Enjoy the book! A great resource packed full of info. Cheers to brilliant minds and simple living!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Wise words worth remembering! ❤ Very true what you've said here- it's so invigorating to clear out spare possessions and not clutter the home with excess belongings. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Wise words. Wise woman. Huge compassion for humanity and our earth. 💖 She wrote more than I can remember – that is why I revisit her book often. 😆 Well said, yes! Clearing out clutter allows energy to flow more freely. And it may give new life to old things. Thank you, Tom!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. I have a hard time letting go of older clothes, especially things you can’t find anymore. They are vintage now! My clothes are color coordinated by style. Try that! 😁

        Like

  16. Oh my goodness Michele my Belle, the essence of your “simplicity” speaks volumes ladybug. 👏🏼 I can connect to your story, for my desires growing up and my desire for simple pleasures now, are as different as day and night. Wisdom is definitely an asset to embrace, as we live and learn about what’s important and what’s frivolous.

    Diana Beresford-Kroeger’s book sounds like a good read and one that affirms the power and appreciation of simplicity. I am curious and have to put this on my reading list. Thanks a million for the share, and for your amazing poem my dancing queen. Cheers to a FANtabulous weekend! 🌞🌺😍🦋🤩💖🥂😘

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Less truly is more when it comes to focusing on what truly matters. A wonderful lesson life is teaching us. 🤔 Getting older does have some perks. 😁 Let me know your thoughts, if you do read her book. Thank you, Kymbelina, for your motivational and inspiring writes and your dancing feet and generous heart! ✍🏽💃🏽💖 Happy weekending to you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Michele, you got me kicking up my heels right now. 🦶🏼👣🦿 I am dancing a jig girlfriend! LOL 🤣😆😅😝😂 You don’t have to tell me twice! And yes ma’am getting older does have some amazing perks. Wished I learned a few of them a little earlier! 😜😲😊 I will certainly let you know when I check out this book my dear! Thanks for sharing your amazing review! 🤗💖😘💋🤩

        Liked by 1 person

  22. A lovely poem, and post, Michele. 💖 It resonates deeply. Many of us are socialized toward purchasing, collecting, and acquiring things, which becomes rather weighty over time. I love how you work though the stages you’ve set forth, moving form acquisition to gifting and giving. Gorgeous. This book reads awesome too! 🌻🌞🌳🌍

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Jeff! I appreciate your share and love your description of the speaker’s evolution (my evolution). 💗 Yes, societal norms. I thought of Brave New World after writing that poem, and how the characters are programmed to buy buy buy. Our reality is similar. “Gorgeous” is a gorgeous word. 😁 Thanks! That book is a bible of healthy info – she is a gift to humanity! 🌳🌍🌎🌏🌳

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  24. I have to get this book now. She sounds like an amazing person. My kids call me their Hippy mom because I love my trees. My son may like this book too. He is at the university now and was studying Bio-chemistry before the virus started then switched to business for awhile because biology was a little difficult for him to learn online. This Fall he will be back to taking a chemistry class in person again. He has to take it over for his scholarship. He’s better with in person learning. After I read this book I think he may also like it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I believe you will enjoy it! I love passing on books to my daughter that I think she will like. Sometimes she actually reads them! 😆 This one she will love – but I will need to give her her own copy. Best wishes to your son at university! Thank you for the visit and comment. 🌳

      Like

      Reply

    1. I am grateful for your visits today, Aaysid. Thank you for taking the time to read and offer feedback on my posts. 🙏🏻💖 Should you choose to read her informative book, I hope you find it interesting and helpful. 😊

      Like

      Reply

  27. I love the simplicity of this poem that is, in itself, an experience! I personally am finding the shift toward moments and memories over things and possessions helps us focus on the smallest things that matter to our lives.

    I’ll definitely have to check out the book! It sounds changing. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I suppose simple can also be profound. Direct and to-the-point. You have brought up an excellent point -“moments and memories over things and possessions.” Simple but so rich! Thank you, Jaya. Cheers to more sweet memories! 🥰 Have a wonderful week!

      I believe you will enjoy the book. If you read it, let me know your thoughts. 🙏🏻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Natalie. I have been purging many things and continue to do so. It is not easy for me, because I am too sentimental, but it is also freeing! The path that you are on is very inspiring to me. Following your heart! The dedication you are putting into the research and preparation is also inspiring. 👏🏻 Cheers to creating more space for what really matters. Yes! Love that! 💗

      Like

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s