Back in 2002 as we were checking out stuff at a Dollar store, I was mindlessly scanning out the items, checking out every shelf until I reached the last one, an unlabeled shelf that contained a variety of items that has been haphazardly stacked. It seems that all the unwanted items, items that won’t sell have been placed there. There were crayons, coloring books, kitchen tools, blank CDs, towels, crossword puzzles and small books. As I was carefully examining the items in the shelf, the words: finding simplicity in a hectic world that was printed in the front cover of a book caught my interest. I picked it up and read the full title, Smell the roses, finding Simplicity in a hectic world. I was sold!

Over the years we have been bombarded with a lot of self help books, books to help us cope, make better of ourselves and books to help reach success.  All these books are geared to help compete and succeed in this world. It teaches the philosophy of focus and moving forward. There is nothing wrong with this kind of goal in mind however, sometimes being caught up in the focus to move forward, we miss out on things that will also help us in our personal success. That is why it would be healthy if it could be supplemented with books or materials that help build success through inner fulfillment.

The book Smell the roses is written and complied by Ellyn Sanna. The book provides sayings, quotes, poems, bible verses and stories that will help us find peace in this hectic world. The chapters of the book become a guide in how to achieve the good life. The great thing about this is that you can either follow it step by step or you can go ahead and skip to the other parts.  The book suggests to:

Take it one day at a time

“We complicate our lives when we borrow trouble from the future. We waste our energy worrying about what might happen tomorrow; we become frantic and pressured looking at the many responsibilities on our to-do-list for the next week; we lie awake obsessing over our plans for the upcoming month.”

Indulge in small pleasures

“The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feel, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON”

Forget the past

“We not only complicate our lives when we worry about the future; we also lose our peace of mind when we dwell too much in the past. We have all made mistakes, whether intentionally or not; we have all hurt our friends and loved ones; and we have all spoken words we wish we could unsay. The only thing to do is repent and go on.”

Slow down and travel light

“Our society is a busy one. As we dash from responsibility to responsibility, we seem to pride ourselves on our busyness, as though it somehow proves our worth. Even our children are busy, their schedule crammed with enriching activities. We all fly through life, fitting as many things as we can into each day.”

Bask in the richness of serenity

“I like the word serenity. It always seems to me to be a shining word, like sunlight glimmering on quiet water. I’m not the only one who connects serenity with water. The bible also speaks of peace being like a quiet river. And David writes of the Shepherd who leads us beside the still calm waters, quieting our hearts.”

Value the power of patience and prayer

“How do we find peace and simplicity we crave in our lives? I think the answer lies in patience and prayer. We all like to be active. We want to be in control of our lives. But sometimes circumstances force us to accept that we can do nothing. All we can do is be patient and pray. “

Warmth in finding God’s presence,

“There is so much noise in our modern world that we may not first realize how much we need silence in order to hear… True conversation, even and especially between those who love each other, requires silence. God, the great lover, invites us into silence in order to draw forth our response to His word. NORVENEVEST, No moment Too Small”

Spreading peace

“We all long for peace. In the midst of our busy, complicated lives, we crave simplicity. But the answer lies not so much in changing our lives, as in changing ourselves. When we make space for God in our hearts, then we will carry his peace with us, even through the most hectic days.”

The book doesn’t bombard you with too much information, its 40 pages of inspiring words. This is not a page turner book because it will let you savor every word on each page.  This is something that you’ll read more than once. A great reference when the hectic world drains you of your peace. However, no matter how great or inspiring a book or a material is, if you don’t have the time to spare. It won’t help make wonders in your life. So, spare some of your time and stop to smell the roses.

Picture taken from: Flicker