Freedom Through Simplicity

Oh dear, I stare at a blank computer screen, and feel the same anxiety creeping up: what to write? Let's get on with it and try to have some fun in a lesson-learning world. After all when I'm not learning, I repeat the same damn mistakes; like sitting here waiting for the computer to 'give me words'.

My favorite read right now comes from E. Stanley Jones. He writes: "The successes of life are often the simplicities of life." Then he shares a situation of a British Ambassador's wife. She sent a request to reserve a front row seat at one of Mr. Jones' meetings. It was explained that an ambassador's wife should never sit with anyone in front of her. Mr. Jones says, "What a complication to live by!  I could sit anywhere; I was free! Bondage to prestige is bondage." Thank you Mr. Jones!

Writing has been far from my thoughts. The whole Internet world has taken a back seat, being replaced by the love of being in the fresh air. I simply cancelled my reservation for a front row seat by my laptop. I would visit all of my favorite blogs, but even commenting meant my fingers had to touch the keys. I'm not sure if I can adequately explain what I mean... so I'll fore go it. I'm here at this moment and there's something to write.

You might think it was a time for me to 'soul search' and that's workable. A time to invest in the subtle nourishment I get from digging in the garden, certainly helped. Either way or any way, love of something bigger than myself was so 'knocking at my door'. How often I can get caught up in self reliance. In fact my own inadequacy has served a better cup. My path runneth over!

Yesterday a friend and I gathered grapes from an old vine that has returned to life! The grapes are dark purple and are so sweet. Nothing my hands did revived that vine. I munched on a pear from a nearby tree while she plucked grapes from the higher branches. I failed to mention the crazy grape vine was climbing up a tree for more sunlight. There are still lots of clusters to ripen. The pears need another week - hopefully the squirrels will hold off on their attack. They only want the seeds but will destroy a whole pear to get there.

E. Stanley Jones writes about an Indian businessman waiting on a train. (In India there are four classes on trains; first, second, intermediate, and third.) The businessman must wait for trains with first class carriages. Third class means wooden benches and crowds. Mr. Jones is taking one of those. The man replies, "Yes, you can go on it, for you are a religious man. If you go first class it doesn't exalt you; and if you go third class, it doesn't degrade you. You are lifted above distinctions, but I have to keep them up." ("Bondage to prestige is bondage.")

Okay, I don't have the fanciful gardens. I barely write anything more than a simple story of what I live daily. The fact that it's been eight months since my last post tells me I'm living differently. Maybe more simply. Enjoying freedom through simplicity. And for the reader that stops by for a visit... something that frees me - might free you? Or something that frees you -  I can add to my list!!


E. Stanley Jones, The Way, published in 1956