Monday, December 3, 2007

The Simple Difference

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

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 (1837-1921) 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.

 

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketYour Life SupportPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket~ Steve GoodierPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

 

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

 

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPictures by Q T LuongPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobuckethttp://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.grand-teton.all.htmlPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

 

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketWishing all

 a Wonderful Week!Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

 

5 comments:

  1. The good life is definitely not defined by mere possessions. A hard lesson, that I have learned. Beautifully written, and well put.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know I think Multiply is up to 360 tricks...I left a comment here right away. You are simply beautiful and I'm lucky to have you as my best friend. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. These photos are simply stunning. I had a wink moment there to at "This is my backyard" as, as you know that is what we always say also.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ahhh good post..the good life is to know nature..see it live it..love it

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh I must come back to read this when I have more time...looks like something very good and interesting!

    ReplyDelete