The Simple Difference
by Steve Goodier
Calvin, of the "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip fame, once
imparted some timeless wisdom: "If people sat outside and looked
at the stars each night," he observed, "I'll bet they'd live a
lot differently."
I believe he's right. Year by bewildering year, our world grows
more complex. We crave peace within our souls. We long for
simplicity in lives that too easily become inexplicably tangled
in complicated webs.
David enjoyed the simple things of life. He sometimes took jobs
at dude ranches, national parks and seasonal resorts. His
brother, however, wanted to entice him to get a "real" job and
live in a world surrounded by things that only money can buy.
David's brother often sent him photos of himself enjoying the
so called "good life." He labeled his snapshots "My new sound
system" or "My new car."
But the photos stopped arriving after David responded with a
picture of his own. He sent his brother a large poster with a
breathtaking view of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. On the
back was David's message: "My back yard."
I believe I understand how David feels. "The Good Life" is not
defined by possessions, but by pure and utter enjoyment of
simplicity.
John Burroughs (18371921) put it like this: "To find the
universal elements enough; to find the air and the water
exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening
saunter...to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over
a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring these are some of the
rewards of the simple life."
Those who take time to find pleasure in the ordinary DO live
differently. The simple difference is this: because they have
learned to live simply, they have learned to live.
Steve Goodier
Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life,
Love
and Laughter at
http://LifeSupportSystem.com.