Simple Things

I think people in this face paced world we live in are catching on a bit and discovering that after all the chasing after things, and working in rotten jobs just for the big money, that the big house that takes too much of their income, the big car that has a monthly payment that makes them break in a sweat at bill time, or shopping habits that have racked up credit card bills that has them robbing Peter to pay Paul, well, those things just don't make you happy. Some folks are getting it. They have discovered that the simple things, like family time, walks in the woods, a long bike ride, a night without TV, meals taken together with the family, playing in the park with your little ones, those are the simple things, they are the things happiness comes from.
I hear more and more from folks that are catching on that the rat race is for the rats. People always running after what "the Joneses are doing", isn't necessarily what they should be doing. Having your children be in 4 different after school activities is not what most kids want, but the parents think it makes them look like good parents to be offering so many opportunities, but children and young people like to play. Unorganized play is where creativity flourishes.
A couple lessons are good, but if you are having to eat in the car, consider driving time your best "quality time" and have color coded activity calendars hanging on the fridge, feel frazzled, well maybe its time to slow down and just smell the roses.
Simple living isn't about chopping wood, unless you want it to be. Its about simply living with joy.
In the end, when the day is done, you want to have the things that matter, really matter, those are the things you want next to you.
Keep in mind the song, "The Cats in the Cradle", and you will get it. Just make sure you don't wait too long to get it.

My livingroom this cold winter morning