Tuesday, October 09, 2007

{ Simplicity }

"It is curious how many people have got the idea that to live a simple life a person must live like a hermit, or in a hovel, or in a bare room, adopt uncouth ways, and disregard everything either modern or beautiful. They do not seem to be able to get it into their heads that there are two ways of achieving the simple life.

One is by not wanting things, and being cheerful and happy without them. The other is steadfastly and bravely toiling for what you want- and getting it. A definite aim, or a definite determination to be cheerful in aimlessness; either of these is a recipe for the simple life.
Simplicity, with all that it implies, is a state much to be desired in thinking, in dressing and in living; but this does not mean crude, comfortless ways of doing things, or negligent ways of dressing. Make home happy; hold loved ones first in your heart; leave off fussing over fashionable ways of living; be natural, and you will be living the simple life, though you clean house by electricity, entertain hospitably, and you have every convenience known to man. The quality of the individual is what determines the simple life, never her surroundings."

The Girls Annual. 1919.

4 comments:

Andrea said...

Thank you Chelle. I love, love, love reading things that really challenge. Things aren't what make life satisfying. Thanks for the reminder:)

I picked up a copy of Beautiful Girlhood at the flea market this weekend. It was written in 1922 and I have loved reading it. What a sweet treat for my daughter to read some day:)

Leslie said...

I love this. This has really gotten me thinking, perfect entry for this blog...
Love this ...

Andrea worded it perfectly, a challenge!

Leslie said...

I love this. This has really gotten me thinking, perfect entry for this blog...
Love this ...

Andrea worded it perfectly, a challenge!

Fairlightday said...

This has got to be the best thing ever written. I love it! I should print it out and post it all over my house. Thank you for sharing it.