It can be too easy to get caught up in ourselves, to fall into the trap that is our own little world. In this day and age, we find ourselves being pulled in several directions – family, work, and now online. Computers, tablets, and smart phones are all great tools when used properly, but it’s a rare occasion when I find someone who honestly admits to not being tied to one of these devices… if not all three.

And then I look at my children, with their honesty and curiosity, and I wonder if the things we’er grinding away at really matter. I see how much fun they have and how easy it is to miss it just so I can quickly scroll through a few images of people I don’t even know on Instagram. Why? This year, I have made a concious decision to cut way back. Rather than blogging everyday, I’m choosing to blog only when the mood strikes, or when I think I have content that is of interest to others. I don’t want to waste my time and I definitely don’t want to waste your time. My Twitter account pumps out tweets, but their scheduled and automated. I almost never check it. And my phone sits on the counter a lot more than it did in 2014. It’s hard, and I don’t always follow my new rules, but I’m trying hard. And before long, I won’t give it a second thought.

The driving force behind this is really my kids. The find so many simple pleasures it boggles my mind. So this year I have decided to scale back and live life a little bit like they do. The image above of my younger son learning to ski is the perfect depiction of what I’m trying to achieve. We might not always see the forest for the trees, but we can’t let that stop us from letting life lead us down that path.

Keep your head up, your mind open, and be ready and eager to try new things.