Comfort and security and how to get it - blog action day.
October 15th, 2007 by JuliaI just finished reading Cormac McCarthy’s book The Road. Let me tell you this is not a stroll across an open field. This is a look at a post civilisation world. You might be surprised when I tell you that I found the story more helpful than depressing. Let me tell you why.
If I strip away the mountain of false information it becomes clear that I need very little. Survival depends on water, food, a place to sleep out of the rain and someone to love and keep striving for. That is it. Water, food, shelter, someone to live for. I look around at what I have. I consider how complicated and unhappy life can become managing what I have and what I want.
I want a renovation and some more room. Some days my desire for it can feel desperate. If you have teenagers you will understand. If it were not the renovation it might be a new computer or a new car. The eternal longing for more, bigger, better can be so strong. I can convince myself that everything will be OK when I get the next thing. Familiar?
McCormack’s story helped me to remember that real happiness is not in the getting. Happiness is in the appreciation of what is and in connection with my people. On this blog action day I would offer a prayer that I may live more with less. That is what really offers more comfort and security for me and my planet.
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October 17th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hi Julia,
I’m so in tune with this. 2007 has been my year to achieve - which I have done, but in many ways that others might not consider very tangible or significant.
One of my biggest achievements has been to recognise that I don’t need to eternally “upgrade” my lie to be happy. In fact, my requirements for happiness are so simple that most days I’m happier than I have been in years.
Thanks for the pointer to McCormack’s book. That’s one road I’m keen to travel down this year
S.