A Simpler Life is Satisfying
Our souls yearn for a finished project and an "I made it with my own hands" sense of accomplishment. Living a lively, active, engaged life fulfills our most basic needs.
For A Simpler Life, seek out quality and experiences...
by Galen Lehman
Our lives are shaped by conscious decisions. Choose the path that offers the greatest feeling of satisfaction! Sure, it might mean sacrificing some efficiency. But, by choosing fulfillment instead of a mindless search for speed, we find meaning. Try turning off your small screen world, and engage with the world around you. You'll discover that active participation is deeply satisfying.
At Lehman's, we are part of the world's largest Amish community. We see them make conscious choices every day For A Simpler Life. Instead of jumping impulsively to the newest thing, they hold back and weigh the consequences. For example, most use a horse and buggy rather than automobiles for daily transportation. Buggy rides allow time for conversation. Leaving home is a thoughtful process that starts with calling the horse and ends 10 minutes later with buckling up the harness, so it encourages thoughtful decisions. Horse-drawn transportation is gentler on the environment, too.
Of course, most of us aren't ready to trade our gas-burning cars for what the Amish like to call "hay burners." But, even a few small steps For A Simpler Life can make a huge improvement to the quality of our lives.
- Take time for conversation
- Invest in friendship
- Allow enough time for household chores so you can enjoy the activity
Over and over, I find the most meaningful rewards spring from good tools actively used. By reaching for the handsaw instead of the electric saw, I get a satisfying surge of endorphins! Using a scythe instead of a string trimmer means I come in the house smelling of clean sweat and thinking about bird song (instead of stinking of burned two-cycle oil and with my ears ringing from engine noise).
A Simpler Life helps encourage engagement, and engagement provides satisfaction. You have a choice. Sometimes, the better choice requires a bit more time or a bit more effort. But it's worth it. Few things are more rewarding and meaningful than saying, "I did it."
