Two of my favorite writers are Henry David Thoreau and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Both preferred the simple life.
At his rural cabin in Concord, in the American state of Massachusetts, Thoreau had this sign: I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life. And see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
Laura once said It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile. The sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.
Spirit
Many years ago, Spirit gave us these words on the simple life:
Most of you yearn for more simplicity in your lives. But you don’t know how to create it.
Your world has become cluttered in many ways. Your technology, wonderful and powerful as it is, can clutter up your life. It can take you away from what’s most important in your lives—your relationships, your health, your spiritual well-being.
We have occasionally spoken with Johnny on ways he can simplify his life. Here are some ideas for you to help simplify your lives.
Remember how simple and joyful life was when you were a little child. Most of you have those memories, even if your childhood was less than ideal.
You would wake up every morning with joyful anticipation of what the day held in store.
You would immerse yourselves in the pure pleasure of being in the present moment, with no thought or care for yesterday or tomorrow.
You would run and play with joyous abandon.
You would accept love, and give it to all—your family, your pets, your friends, all living creatures around you.
You loved being outside, in nature, marveling at all the earth’s wonder and beauty surrounding you—all the abundant gifts Spirit had given you.
A child’s life is simple, uncluttered, uncomplicated. We don’t expect you to return to your childhood. But you could certainly benefit from the lessons your little wise, unworldly child selves have to teach you.
You could easily bring some of those memories and experiences into your adult lives. Then practice them every day.
You will recapture the simplicity and wisdom you knew as children. You will allow that simplicity and wisdom to transform you back into the joyous beings you were meant to be.
Copyright © 2023 by John Cali and Berna Copray
Edited by Berna Copray
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One of my favorite public figures, from many years ago, is Earl Nightingale. Earl was a successful businessman and motivational speaker. Here he’s talking about the power of simplicity, and how it can transform our lives.
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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