Growth or insanity – that is the question.
In the past few years I’ve noticed many radical changes that have developed in my lifestyle.
My friends and acquaintances are quite amused by a lot of this because so many of these changes go against what I call the normal grain of our society.
And as I look at these changes I am pleased but a bit perplexed.
So for my own sanity I’m going to list them in this article and review them.
I used to love or watch movies. Like many of us I accumulated a collection of my favorites.
And of course a nice flat screen 32 inch TV to watch them on.
I realized a few weeks back that I hadn’t even turned my television on in over a month. I actually have it covered with a beautiful a batik so I don’t have to stare at the big black empty space.
I gave up watching television programming years ago but I continued to watch movies and rent them on a regular basis. I had a subscription with Netflix so there were always two or three new movies sitting around.
I gave up my Netflix subscription over a year ago. I remember how I would go look at the selection and realize there really was nothing else I wanted to see.
I still grab a major movie down at Redbox when something special comes out. But the amount of times I can get excited enough even go rent one has dwindled down to about once a month at most.
It’s because when I want to relax there are so many more beautiful things to contemplate then a television screen. The surrounding scenery, the trees, the birds, the moon, the clouds, and all of the rest of the beautiful natural phenomena in the world.
So I no longer limit visual stimulation to the light patterns emanating from a television screen.
In the evening I replaced my television with candles. I love the flickering of the candlelight and the peace it brings to my soul.
I used to love to listen to music all night through my wonderful hi-fi system.
Now I look at those giant speakers as they sit silent most of the time. It’s not that I don’t love music. I love it more now than I ever have any time in my life.
The difference is I hear music all around me now. I hear it in the wind, I hear it in the birds, I hear it in the laughter of little children, I even hear it in the buzz in the middle of the city.
The divine goddess created all of the sounds around me and they are all part of an infinite Symphony of perfection.
So I no longer limit music to the sound patterns that I choose to come from a set of speakers.
I used be willing to drive all day to get to a beautiful location.
I packed all my goodies and a lunch and headed out for places that I knew would make me feel so special.
The beach, the river, anywhere as long as it was beautiful.
.But now I find that I am always in a beautiful location. If I’m not in the city I am overwhelmed by the beauty of nature around me.
If I’m in the city or a crowded place I am overwhelmed by the beauty of love that I see people expressing towards each other. Parents and children. Mothers and babies. Young lovers. Strangers giving money to the poor. Church groups feeding hungry people. And strangers simply giving another stranger a helping hand.
Love is everywhere if you simply open your eyes and look for it. Everywhere, that is, except for the unforgiving thoughts in your mind.
I no longer limit beauty to places that fit my old limited definition of what beauty is.
And all of the wonderful possessions that I’ve accumulated over the decades are looking less like rewards and more like anchors holding me back.
So perhaps I am going insane.
Or maybe for the first time in my life sanity has finally opened my eyes.
Ed Osworth
Author of “Unstoppable Joy – A Happier You in 12 Simple Steps”
UnstoppableJoy.com
JoyHeals.com
“Now, think of the happiest things. It’s the same as having wings” Peter Pan
