So, you think the simple life might be for you? Tired of feeling like you live life on a treadmill? Want to have more experiences and less things? Think that you can’t because you have a family? Think again…
Meet the “Nomadic Family”! They left their “normal” lives behind …
http://thenomadicfamily.com/2011/11/the-ying-yang-of-living-without
There was a recent article in the New York Times that reminded me ever so much of Epicurus and his premise that material wealth does not bring happiness. A nice little reminder that more things will not guarantee a happy life.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/opinion/sunday/dont-indulge-be-happy.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Photo by Yao-Yu Tsai
whirling dervishes
of the humid summer skies
sing outside my door
****
call to mind the past
with dull stacato melody
of the cicada
Ah… the ingredients of happiness according to Epicurus:
1. Friends (companions)
2. Freedom (financially independent – not imprisoned by unbearable bosses)
3. Analyzed life (time to think, reflect, leave the distractions of the world)
It sounds like an easy enough recipe to follow, but I’m increasingly convinced that our modern lives are making it almost impossible for a person to achieve the happiness Epicurus spoke of. Why? Well, to begin with, lets look simply at freedom. Epicurus suggests that we need to free ourselves from desire. It sounds like an attainable goal, and yet, I find that it is a daily struggle because while I don’t need to be rich, I do want to be secure.
My DESIRE for security drives many of my decisions and keeps me imprisoned. Why do I need a home in this neighborhood and not that neighborhood? Security. Why do I need this car and not that car? Security. Why do I need to work fulltime instead of parttime? Security. Yes, the security that comes from living in a “good” neighborhood, the security that comes from owning a “reliable” car, the security that comes from having a job that provides health insurance and a retirement plan. I give up some of my freedom for the promise of security.
So, perhaps, at least from my perspective, it seems we need to add one more element to the list. Maybe if we could fulfill our need for:
1. Friends (companions)
2. Freedom (financially independent – not imprisoned by unbearable bosses)
3. Analyzed life (time to think, reflect, leave the distractions of the world)
4. Security
maybe then we could find the happiness that alludes us.
In chapter one, McCarty reminds us that the world around us pushes us to do more, be more, consume more:
page 11 “We’re all looking for an ideal life”
Sometimes it is hard for us to break out of the “crazy maze” and make a simple life for ourselves. I think this song is a nice reminder.
page 8 “Leave behind the swirling pace set by those around you”
Crazy maze
Money don’t make my world go ’round
I’m reaching up for the higher ground
to a warm and peaceful place
I can rest my weary face
Life’s answers we’re trying to find
battling inside our minds
where do I go from here?
Will all my friends be there?
Cause we’re livin, livin in a crazy maze
and we’re fighting, we’re fighting to rise above the haze
Light’s at the end of the tunnel
Sometimes the journey is long
There are many theories
on who’s right and who’s wrong
Pressure is on I have to choose
I’ve got nothing to lose
I close my eyes I take a chance
Now I dance a different dance
What’s the key to a happy life?
A healthy mind and lots of spice.
Running barefoot through the trees
that’s my idea of free
I’ve packed my bags I’m on my way
I don’t know where I’m going to stay
I’m on a train bound destiny
I can set my spirit free
Cause we’re livin, we’re livin in a crazy maze
and we’re fighting, we’re fighting to rise above the haze
Light’s at the end of the tunnel
Sometimes the journey is long
There are many theories
on who’s right and who’s wrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUfnwMC4jZk
While reading the first chapter of McCarthy’s book, twice I wrote the name of this movie in the margins. The first time was in response to the following line in the text: ” We overlook ordinary joys completely when we overextend our reach into the world of things” (p. 3). The second time was when she said: “Many pleasures come with painful consequences that override the original enjoyment” (p. 6).
I think this movie is a great accompaniment to Epicurus and Joko-Beck. Why don’t you give it a try and let me know what you think.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… Spring
