Jelaluddin Rumi
At times, I look at my humble little mobile home and I think, wow! How did I end up in the Cape Breton highlands, living in a 45 foot, approximately 60 year old trailer?
How did I end up living in a place that’s always threatened by flooding when the rains get too heavy? And in addition to flooding, the chances of the forest frying me out, or high winds blowing me away. All of these dangers now more likely because of climate change.
Oh, I don’t know about that, but I do know how I got here. But thoughts come in layers, so, yes, I know how I got here, but I don’t know how I got here.
I remember one fella, who while he urinated and watered my forest, shouting, “This is the most beautiful place that I have ever peed in.”
Aldo Leopold
Now I’m not questioning the lives of others, only attempting to show folks why I am where I am.
I remember, years ago, when I lived in Ontario, and had the money to buy a house. However, I felt claustrophobic when I thought about buying a home. All those years that I might have to spend paying for it. I had a small house in my sights. It was cute. It was in a fairly nice part of the city. However, it also looked like a heavy anchor.
What might the universe have to say about my buying a house? Should I run like hell or cozy up to the idea?
Marilynne Robinson
Now, my practical side thought that they might be cheaper. However, I probably, subconsciously, thought that by going there, I could put off making a decision about the other house. Gather data, so to speak.
The salesperson was friendly, and we chatted for a few minutes. I felt anxious, but I was willing to discuss all the details. To look absolutely practical, financially aware, rigidly normal and ready to buy.
So, there I was, sitting in the chair, across from the salesperson, when he suddenly said, “You don’t want to buy a house, do you?”
I thought that this was a rather poor way to sell a house to a person.
My answer was, “Not really.”
What a relief!
“Would you like a soft drink?” he asked.
I didn’t seem to have any confusion about making that decision, so I said, “Yes, please.”
“Simplicity in all things is the secret of the wilderness and one of its most valuable lessons. It is what we leave behind that is important.”
Sigurd Olson