Could Thoreau's idea of a simplistic life work in today's society?

Yes

6 of 10

by Jishi Santos

• 

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

OH, THE WIDE OPEN SPACES OF THE DESERT TO WAKE TO IN OUR CAMPERVAN!

In today's world we very much gravitate towards the congregation of communities into cities and reliance on government to regulate our lives. My wife grew up on the island paradise of Malo, in the New Hebrides, as it was known then; now it is Vanuatu. Long stretches of open beach and jungle to run through, where the next meal came from the sea or the coconut tree and you chopped firewood. She was in fact 'nature's child'. This free spirit of simple life has never left her and we hope to go there next year to retrace some of her childhood memories. At the age of eight years, I went to live on a 50 acre farm in the country. My great forward thinking Dad, was general manager for the Shell Oil companies diesel division in the city of Melbourne and held down an office job. But a sea change, as they call it these days, was his choice and he threw it in and we were raised on this beautiful property with all the accompanying freedom and simplicity of life. My tasks after walking home the 2 miles from school were, to chop wood and feed hens and collect eggs for the table. Oh, and to kill and pluck the hen every week for Sunday dinner. This was in1949 and my wife's experience was in the 1940's too. We were raised to the simple life and if you, or your parents, as was our case, choose that way of living, it remains with you forever and is wonderful.

Thoreau's idea of simplicity came from his cabin type living. In the year 2000, my wife and I set of in a mobile cabin, our camper van. Although in dry dock now, I look at it every now and again and the experiences of our simple life on the road come back into my memory. We chose to set off and give up all our security and hit the road. In the back of our minds we really wanted to see if there was free land to live on around Australia and we proved there was. We had the most amazing experiences, camping next to cows in paddocks by the side of the road and behind piles of screenings. Under bridges and beside lakes and in the middle of the desert ranges and anywhere that spelled simplicity and freedom. We proved it is possible to live simply as that was our home for 5 years. We were the ones beside the lake for a week looking back at the million dollar houses behind us. We found the most amazingly simple places to stay. We met so many people tied to their businesses and too afraid to let security go, who would have loved to be doing what we were. Even one of Australia's fishing show hosts on television, told us he was envious of our lifestyle. He was sick and tired of 5 star hotels all the time.

I think if we answered ourselves honestly, we would all opt for a simple life in amongst the complexities of life that have grown around us these days. In the pioneering days it was simple and the mind could appreciate the wide open spaces. Many of the generation growing up now love the adrenaline of the city. Why our own daughter lives in New York and thrives on the pulse of city life with all it's opportunities, as she sees it. She is a career woman and may change later in life like us, but the complex busy life just suits her fine, as it does for many millions around the world.

I guess the question has to be answered now though. Could Thoreau's idea of simplistic living work in today's society? The answer is "yes," as proved above, but you have to get out of the city, otherwise the foundation for this move is not simple living. Your surroundings have to be simple and in many cases in the city, with inner city living becoming popular, you cannot find this there . So if you find your block of land and build your log cabin on some acres and become self sufficient you have achieved this goal in today's busy world. Or alternatively, do what we did and just park your mobile home for a couple of years exactly where you want; by the river, by the beach or in the mountains. Even if this is only a temporary escape from the complex life of a city, do it! You will always remember how the simplicity of your lifestyle made you happy inside. You did not have so many things on the outside to look after, like possessions. You suddenly found you could relax your mind into simple, peaceful thoughts on the inside.

Learn more about this author, Jishi Santos.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.