A Simple Life

January 2010

The Tao of Pooh

"Lots of people talk to animals," said Pooh.

"Not that many listen though."

"That's the problem."

Having kids has really made us re-evalute how we spend our time.  I often think that I wish I had known then what I know now.  Not really information, but rather just the sense of knowing what is right.  I know we all evolve though and we are in this place at this time because we are and that is what should be.  I feel lucky that we have these three beings to teach us about life.

But the adult is not the highest stage of development. The end of the cycle is that of the independent, clear-minded, all-seeing Child. That is the level known as wisdom. When the Tao te Ching and other wise books say things like, "Return to the beginning; become a child again" that's what they are referring to. Why do the enlightened seem filled with light and happiness like children? Why do they sometimes even look and talk like children? Because they are. The wise are Children Who Know. Their minds have been emptied of the countless minute somethings of small learning and filled with the great wisdom of the Great Nothing, the Way of the Universe.

- Benjamin Hoff in The Tao of Pooh

When our first child was born, it didn't take long to sign up for music class, go to events for toddlers, focus on socializing, purchases or receive endless toys that were focused on one thing.  We did all the things we thought we were suppose to do.  We've been on such an interesting journey and feel joyful that we have discovered another way.

Our "simple life" has brought us so much in the past few years.  Less stuff, more time for depth and creativity.  Less talk, more listening (I'm still working on this one). Less activities, more time for "nothing" but everything!  Feel good more, worry less.  The kids thrive on this and I have discovered so do I.  We function so much better as a family when we remember to slow down and keep life simple.

Recently, we discovered just how special the old, tender Winnie The Pooh, by A.A. Milne, stories are.  We picked up a really old copy with 3 stories in it after years of reading which I assume must be the Disney version.  We know and love the old movies and quickly realized watching the new didn't feel good.  We quickly added 3 more to the collection from a local thrift store.  We are ALL enjoying them.  There is so much kindness, humor, silliness, fondness, differences, simplicity - the stories are true gems.  We have had so many discussions about them and the children quickly turned our living room into "the forest."  Did you know the hundred acre woods is new.  It used to be simply "the forest."  Anyway, I would highly recommend taking the time to discover these stories if you have not already.

"Rabbit's clever," said Pooh thoughtfully.
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit's clever."
"And he has Brain."
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit has Brain."
"I suppose," said Pooh, "that that's why he never understands anything."

This "Not so Big Life" feels really enormous to me!