I came across a couple of quotes that help me as I struggle with my complicated lifestyle. I share them because so many of us put off “really living” and “traveling” because we make everything too complicated.

First quote is from Confucius: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

When I talk to others about home exchanges, I often hear people fixate on their concerns about the possible โ€œworkโ€ and โ€œriskโ€ that might be involved. This happens often, but I continue to be amazed. I keep expecting the first response to be excitement about the possible โ€œadventureโ€ that awaits everyone who does a home exchange.

Another โ€œproblemโ€ that keeps people from seeing the โ€œadventureโ€ is their worry about letting others use their โ€œthings.โ€ Ugh! Youโ€™ve got to be kidding. Real living is not about protecting our things!

I am ready to be quoted as a Christian: โ€œSharing is good stewardship!โ€

The other quote I want to share from someone else (Kahil Gibran) goes like this: โ€œYou give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.โ€

Here is another quote from me (feel free to cite this blog, when you quote me): โ€œGod calls us to give of ourselves with joyous abandon.โ€

Photo: Church of Mercy (Gnadenkirche) by Emre Ergin is licensed under CC by 2.0.