“When we arrived in the home of our host, it was very small, welcoming, clean and free of clutter and filled with happiness!” – Lorraine Clark

The Bermejillo Principle

“Kristin was invited to speak at a conference for women in Bermejillo, Durango, Mexico.” Loraine said.

Bermejillo isn’t an easy place to get to.  There are no large international airports and one has to drive a bit, on small, two-lane highways to get there.  So, it took Loraine some planning effort to arrange for the two friends, Kristin Murdock and Lorraine Clark, to arrive in this isolated desert community.  But, it was worth the effort.

“When we arrived, we were invited into the home of our host.” Lorraine explained.  “It was a small home.  Yet, that isn’t what captured our attention as we walked through the front door.”

As soon as they entered the home, their eyes scanned from one side to the other, taking it all in.  It was neat as a pin, clutter free and filled with happiness.

Speaking of this inaugural experience, Lorraine said, “There was nothing out of order!  There was not one superfluous item!  Most importantly, it was filled with a sense of peace and contentment.”

Kristin followed with, “I never would have expected to have such a feeling of serenity in an unfamiliar setting!”

The setting wasn’t only unfamiliar because they were in a different country, meeting with a host they heretofore had never met.  There were also few familiar features contained within the house.  For example, the restroom was located outside of the main structure.

“But, we immediately sensed that those things didn’t matter!”  Lorraine said, right before she and Kristin began to provide greater illumination regarding their discovery of what mattered most.

“There was true joy radiating from the eyes of our host!”  Kristin explained.

Their host was not living in a mansion, or even a large house.  She didn’t have expensive furniture or the latest modern appliances.  But, what she did have was more valuable than any of those things.  She was happy!  She enjoyed what he had and maintained vigilant stewardship of it.

“Vigilant Stewardship took on a whole new meaning for me!”  Lorraine continued.  Then she went on to describe exactly what she had learned during this trip. “It isn’t necessary to have a large house.  It isn’t necessary to have a lot of things.  And, it isn’t necessary to live in luxury in order to live fully in happiness.”

“Live life without clutter!”  Kristin chimed in.  “As I spent time with our host I could see how having fewer belongings, was truly liberating.  It allowed our host to focus on building personal relationships above all else!”

“Yes!”  Lorraine agreed, “When we arrived in the modest home of our host it was welcoming, clean, free of clutter and filled with happiness!”

This same host had invited Kristin to speak at a conference for women in Bermejillo, Mexico.  She gave an inspiring presentation!  And, that invitation opened an unexpected door.  As soon as she and Lorraine entered that door, they recognized great joy in the eyes of a new friend. 

Those shared-eyes illuminate the way for all of us to discover a new-found appreciation for the foundational attributes that can create enhanced joy that may soon radiate from our own faces. They lead us toward a greater understanding of what vigilant stewardship is.  And, toward a new aspiration; to simplify our lives by focusing on personal adherence to the foundational values of the “Bermejillo Principle.”

Bermejillo isn’t necessarily an easy place for you and me to travel to.  But, Lorraine and Kristin have been there and they found something more than just a town or a place. They discovered something much more meaningful.  They learned the Bermejillo Principle; a pathway for living with more joy.