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Living the Simple Life
by Arleen M. Kaptur
The trend of today for many people is to live the "simple life."
However, what exactly is the simple life?
There are as many answers to this question as there are
individuals looking to find the peace and contentment that seems so evasive.
Yet, in their hearts there is a void, an empty spot that modern consumption just
cannot fill.
So, people sit there pondering what they can do to live the
simple life, while the television's volume is on high and the voice mail fills
up with messages. After all this thinking, hunger comes into play. A quick trip
to McDonald's or Burger King and then back home to an evening of station-
broadcast news and opinions, and then the comedies of late-night shows. You
know, the no-holds-barred laughter at everything and anything, and nothing is
beyond being the butt of jokes.
The Simple Life is right there in your heart and in your home.
It just needs a little dusting off, or perhaps you can move some of your
possessions to the side to make room for Simple Life to breathe some fresh air
and come into play in your life.
Whoa! how can a person have the simple life right there when
real simple life is living in the woods with the bears and the deer and hunting
and fishing for your food. Yes, there are some that find this type of life very
satisfying, and then there are those that do not.
Who is correct? Both are indeed correct. The Simple Life is not
letting your possessions control you, it is living within your means and not
worrying about mounting debt, and it is laughter, quiet, and learning and
evaluating all that goes around you.
It is not accepting what you see on television or the internet
as written in stone; for in fact, it is someone's opinion or view of a situation
and it may or may not be yours.
It is not joining every group, committee, or cause, so that
there is no time for family, friends, and individualism.
In a few words, it is getting the most from your particular
life, by doing away with what is not necessary and concentrating on what is
important and life- sustaining. Life - whether physical, spiritual, or social -
it is having the time for those you love and for those you would like to know
and love.
It is stepping outside to a sky filled with stars and to find
peace in the patter of rain- drops on your window.
It is taking a deep breath and clearing your mind, and it is the
aroma of a good meal, the sound of children laughing, and the touch of a person
who loves you.
The Simple Life - you can live in the woods or on an island, you
can fish all day or garden, you can read and learn, or write a song.
It is enjoying every minute of every day in the way that brings
peace and tranquility into your life, keeps you out of debt, and that old belief
of "keeping up with the neighbors" is put to rest.
It is being yourself but more importantly, being true to
yourself.
It is having the peace of mind to open your mind and it is
setting no limits or boundaries to what you can imagine and also to what you can
accomplish.
It is having the joy of a morning sun- rise and the tranquility
of a sunset.
It is knowing that Nature cannot be ravaged but must be kept for
future generations to enjoy and it is having the wisdom that money does not buy
friends or happiness but good will does. Enjoy!
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©Arleen M. Kaptur. Arleen Kaptur, author, has written
numerous articles on Simple Living. For more please visit:
http://www.arleenssite.com
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