Materialism and consumerism run rampant. One of the things we talked about in the wake of my mother’s passing was how the generation that grew up in the 1930’s is disappearing. With them goes the ethic of not wanting for more than what we have. When we experience our place and time in the world with indigenous qualities unique to it, it changes how we experience the world. That is a valuable lesson to be learned from those who went before.
Embrace The New Dawn. By CpSingleton © 2015
Breathe like summer’s lighting up your skin.
That tingle in your cheeks to signal
A smile is about to begin
To take over your features.
This is what defines us from
The darker shadow creatures.
Don’t rely on your bank balance to bring you joy.
Numbers can’t replace a gifted soul,
Nor the shiny toy,
Or worthless rock.
No man found enlightenment
From sweating over stock.
Instead, open up your mind wider than a dragon’s yawn.
Disregard last night’s teachings and
Stride into your new dawn
Ready to enjoy your day.
Because, in a flash that is your life,
It can all be taken away.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
I have a friend with a mentally challenged 13 year old daughter. She describes her child’s mind as simple, she has few wants that others spend great chunks of time desiring.
Seems the farther we venture into the mountains, nature, the simpler life becomes.
I think it was a blessing to be a settler or mountain man or an American Indian. Life was about survival and necessities, simpler times.
Simpler things brought real happiness to this uncomplicated, simple life. Food, water, security, companionship.
Less is quite often more. Just to be is its own worth.
Point well taken!
Leslie
It is. Sometimes there is so much in indigenous knowing about a place, its people, and how we experience them.
I always like the saying:
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything.
They just make the most of everything that comes along their way
They do. My mother used to say similar things and would comment on how many times those with the least shared most readily.
Brilliant truth. We mourn our loss.
We do. Sometimes it is hard to let go and move on with our memories.
And yet…
We need to move on…
Even if it’s just one tiny step at a time…yes