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

Yes

7 of 10

by VOLECIA PLAFCAN

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Henry David Thoreau's philosophy of life was his idea of the perfect one. The life he lived in the cabin on Waldon pond would have been the life I would have chosen. His neighbor was Ralph Waldo Emerson whose land Thoreau built his cabin on.

It is said that he chose to build the cabin after his older brother died so he could write and just walk in the woods observing nature. His idea that 'savages could actually be the truly civilized man' would be something to think about.

For decades now, people, especially young, have been aspiring for the perfect life. A house, a husband, some children and a white fenced cottage is their idea of a life to be led. At least, it used to be.

In the movie, "A Simple Life". a man and his wife are living a comfortable, simple life and seem to be very content and happy. Enter, a crashed plane with a dead pilot. Upon investigation, three men who are friends, find a satchel of money on the plane, which happens to be illegal. The money caused their lives to become topsy turvey and death and destruction follow.

Simplicity, for a long time, has been considered class. Look at Martha Stewart, with her good tastes. Everything she does, practically, is simple.

A bigger screened TV is not necessary to watch Saturday college football games, neither is it necessary to watch NFL games.

All you need, when you eat is a fork, teaspoon, spoon and knife. You do not need a salad, seafood or any other kind of fork. A basic fork will fit all your needs. Crabs are eaten with your fingers after being cracked with pliers, oysters are eaten on a cracker after being doctored up with hot sauce and shrimp and crawdads are peeled and eaten, with the fingers.

A plain white tablecloth will cover the table and look especially nice if it has been cleaned well and has no spots from previous dinners, etc. In the center, according to the season, a bouquet of mums, ivy, violets picked in the woods, or roses that grow out by the fence or in the garden and at Easter, if attainable, some fresh dogwoods. To each his own because the creamer and sugar bowl, salt and pepper shakers accompany the centerpiece where I come from. Of course, those little individual salt and pepper shakers are nice but, you will have just that many more to wash.

As you can see, I am simple and probably, simple minded, according to some people I have met, but, that is the way I like it.

We went to bed in simple flannel gowns between down mattresses and covers with a fire glowing in the room. That was luxury to me.

When going on vacation, you don't have to be at a five star hotel on Waikiki Beach although, I am sure that is nice. There are beaches along the East Coast and West Coast and before Katrina, the longest man made beach in the world from Gulfport to Biloxi, MS where I have had some wonderful times when I stayed with my aunt in the summer. In California, there are beaches beyond your imagination. Ocean Beach is one of those. There are the sand reefs which are a marvel and many, many more that are suitable to bring your children to or just go yourself. Hawaii? Maile Point was just about the perfect beach where I considered it my private beach. I would be the only one there some days and just look out over the ocean, watch the submarines dive, or a school of dolphins frolicking and wonder what was in the deep blue of the ocean.

A computer is nice for a writer. I have typed on a keyboard almost all my life. I love computers and the programs that come with them however, I believe it is John Grisham, who has sold numerous books, who still relies on a typewriter.

If you live the simple life, I agree with Thoreau, that life is not as stressful and you will live longer. Also, how do we know we have progressed? Consider that we progressed long before the cave man and a nuclear attack wiped everyone out.

History repeats itself.

In God We Trust

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