Today I’m happy to introduce you to Brandi from Not You’re Average Ordinary.  I met Brandi at Alt this past year.  In fact, she was the first person I met by chance at the airport.  Brandi is kind, smart, thoughtful and her blog always inspires.  Not only is she great with words, I hear she is a great cook {like she makes home made hazelnut spread (Nutella), great!}.  And speaking of, she has a pretty drool worthy foodie blog, Pizzelles.

Brandi is kicking off a subject I want to talk more about in the coming months, A Peaceful Life.  I’m ready to put the following into practice!

. . . . . . . . .

A Peaceful Life: Three Moments

Many of my friends know I have a somewhat crazy schedule – I am a full time graduate student, teach two classes, write two blogs, and make several weekly attempts at a social life. From what my friends tell me, motherhood is quite similar – and even more of a challenge at times.  My secrets to keeping simplicity in my life?

1. Wake up a bit earlier and take the time to reflect over a cup of tea or coffee. That darkness and stillness in the morning is meditative. It allows you to contemplate your day as it begins to dawn, and the light that begins to bathe the world wakes you a second time.

2. Always carry a book. Sometimes, I pretend I don’t have a cell phone that beeps regularly to let me know I have new emails or tweets. Instead, I pull out a book, sit down in the sunshine, and get lost in a story, even if it’s only for a few moments.

3. Shut down an hour early. I close my laptop an hour before I go to bed every night. I use the time to journal and think about all the things I’m thankful for. Sometimes I read more; sometimes I just stop and dream my big dreams. We all need an abundance of those – you can never have too many stars in the sky.

The most important thing is that you find a beginning for simplicity and peace. Somewhere.

images: Ky Shobert / Bethan / we heart it