Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
The buzzing of technology is ubiquitous. Computer screens flicker to life, cell phones trill endlessly, televisions blare well into the wee hours of the night, iPods hang from nearly every passerby.
The last time we were without power was a auspicious mixture of heaven and hell. The phones, the computer, the lights . . . all of it. Gone.
What did we do? We talked. We listened. We went outside and let the moon light our path. Later we lit candles while I read poetry. OK, the whole poetry thing didn't happen. But the conversation, the moon, the candles . . . all true.
It is just so easy to get caught up. To get lost. To be overcome. The frenetic pace of every day can just zap the life right out of you.
Before J was born we took a trip to Boston. Being the geeky English teacher, I just had to visit Walden Pond, the ethereal place where Thoreau built his simple one-room cabin, forgoing the trappings of modern life.
This is the cabin . . .
The pond is now a recreational area. There were so many people there that it was hard to imagine the tranquility that Thoreau experienced.
A simple path.
Self-explanatory . . .* * *
Simplify, simplify, simplify. Thoreau's words. And a philosophy by which I try to lead my life.
So, do I? Nah. Not always. But I try.
And you know who inspires me?
The boy who finds joy in rolling a can of Spaghettios around on the floor, forgoing his expensive toys that lay abandoned in his play room. The boy who can truly appreciate nature, from the leaves on a tree to the rippling waves in the river. The boy who can look into your eyes and make you thankful you're alive.
The boy who can bend over, look between his legs, laugh, get you to pick him up because he is so darned cute, only to discover that he has a little (smelly) present for you.
Simplicity at its best.
42 comments:
I'm loving you loving him.
aww - great post!! I love my kids so much too!!
What you say is so true! Simplicity is the way to go. I've given up buying fancy toys for my son. Its much more interesting to give him something new from around the house each day.
♥ It's so true! I love my computer and electricity way too much!
VERY well put!
Happy PSF!
Your post just gave me happy mommy goose bumps.
You are SO doing things right my friend!!
to look at life though the eyes of a child... that is simplicity... if only we could
That looks like such a fun and peaceful place. I long for days of simplicity again.
Man I wish I could live more simply. The last time we lost power, I had to use my cell to call my mother: "Mom, we've lost power & I don't know how to call Reliant without the internet phone listings." It was sad.
Lovely post...
Great photos! I love the one of the little guy! He's "Stinkin' cute"!
And yet another reason I hate working full time.. because simplifying tough on a schedule.
Beautiful, so beautiful. there is no better way of looking at the world than through their eyes.
Children do have a way of making us look at life so much simpler than we make it.
KEEP BELIEVING
Maybe I'm geeky also because I think that would great to visit! Thanks for the pics!
What a neat place to visit. Walden was one of those books you HAD to read in high school. Now you've refreshed my memory about that too. ;)
I totally agree, simple is better and our kids do prove that to us.
This was fantastic. I LOVE any post containing a Thoreau quote.
Him? Cute!
I love, love, LOVE the woods... nature... it's so peaceful. I love it.
Perfect!! Seriously, a PERFECT post!
What an amazing post; you hit the nail on the head.
Wow! I can tell you are an amazing mom! :D
This was very nicely done. I would love to visit Walden Pond someday. Thoreau has a great message (although I have to admit that there are times when I get about three quarters through "Walden" and I find myself thinking "Why don't you go get a job and try to support a family?" )
But, I usually get over it.
Thanks for the reminder.
You know, we have just put about 33% of the kids toys in the "yard sale" box (wish us luck tomorrow!). Because they don't play with them!! They make cardboard "spaceships", roll balls, and make forts.
simplify is right! Now, if only I could remember this as well!
It is sad that we, in our desire to give them everything, forget how much they just want a little freedom to explore.
Ah, that Thoreau. He sure knew a lot. Makes me want to wake up tomorrow, grab a giant box, and start to simplify. Seriously.
It's incredible what our children can teach us without even realizing it!!
Yup, kids are the best for doing that...before we and society corrupt them with Afluenza...
We have to get back to simple, thanks for the reminder :-)
I agree simplicity is best..... but how?! Cute little inspiration!
when they enjoy the box more than the toy, that makes you wonder if we are living in a world of excess!
I have totally simplied our lives so much in the last year. While I feel like Livi is getting the short end of the stick in not doing an 'activity' like gymnastics of ooyey gooyey art, I know she will have plenty of time for this!
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Beautiful! I have to agree, that I am often in awe of the simple joys I see and experience from my kids.
Although there is very little true simplicity in our lives these days, it does make you appreciate those moments when they happen. Today, I rolled around on my bed with my children, tickling them, watching them laugh, watching them bounce and revel in the joy of just being together. It was simple. And yet so magnificent.
On one of our first trips to where David grew up, back when we were dating. He took me to the grave of Mark Twain. It was so sweet, because he knew I would love it, being the dorky English teacher, too.
Oh Laski, that was just perfection. Truly. Ever bit of it. From the (once) tranquil cabin, to the waters, to the baby boy (growing every minute, my GOSH)... Thanks for the important reminder to SLOW down.
A beautiful reminder.
I was relaxed just reading your post!
Powerful post! You have such a way with words - I bet you are an awesome English teacher. I said ARE b/c you will always be a teacher! :-)
Oh very sweet. And it is a struggle to simplify in this high tech, frenzied world
Babies are definitely great teachers on this topic! The joy in dirt piles, rocks, grass, etc.
A river shot. Wow. It actually looks cool with J in front of it.
Oh...I loved this post. So much!
Children are wonderful creatures, aren't they? You are so right about the expensive toys that lay untouched. Pots and pans, remotes and cell phones, cans of soup, pieces of paper, the outdoors, water, and human interaction will always beat a toy. Any day.
Beautiful post!
(And thanks for stopping by! I'll be back!)
oh, a lesson I keep trying to learn, too!
I forgot to bring my cell phone with me the other day, and even though I will go several days without receiving a call, I was twitching. :) And to think, 10 years ago I didn't even have one. ;)
And you are so right about the kids playing with random stuff instead of their toys...my bathroom is slowing gaining odd random containers for bath time instead of bright, fancy toys. You would not believe how nuts my kids are for a water bottle and a plastic spice container.
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