New Zealand Local Weather Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sara on October 13, 2012, 01:16:51 PM
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Men seek out retreats for themselves,
cottages in the country,
lonely seashores and mountains.
You too are disposed to hanker after such things.
And, yet all this is foolishness,
for it is within your power whenever you wish,
to retire into yourself;
and nowhere is there any place
whereto a man can retire quieter
and more free of politics
than his own soul.
Marcus Aurelius 121-180 AD
Roman Emperor and Philosopher
Well, not much has changed really. Have you ever had the notion to move to a place without neighbours or traffic noise. Sounds of the next door kids playing in the back yard, of trucks going past, sounds of sirens. In other words a cities pulse. Some of us have indeed taken the step to go “out of town”. Has it solved all your worries? Do you not hear the city pulse anymore?
I must say that I have. I do not regret my move although it comes with things I had not previously thought about. The smell of silage, the pig farm up the road in a certain wind direction, rubbish collection, the likely hood of a farmer cutting the main water line and further to go for shopping. This necessitates the more careful planning of goods and services. I can’t for instance just go in for a warrant for the car. I have to make an appointment. So much more goes into planning specially with the price of petrol now. Even my little puddle jumper takes a lot more money to fuel.
Do I regret my move? No, of course not. I no longer have to struggle against humanity to cross the road at lights or listen to music I don’t like over the fence. I am the master of my peace and quiet.
I also find it much easier that before to withdraw into my inner self to dream of times gone by, days to come, things to do. To watch nature unobstructed by tall buildings, smog and noise.
Do I go within myself often. Too right I do. With a cup off coffee, in the sun on my deck. I am reaping a lifestyle after a lifetime of toil. Inner self? Nothing better than being there.
Even in your busy saturated life, you can go there as well. Just takes a bit of practice. Solitude, inner peace, whatever you call it, it can do wonders if you let it be part of every day just like I do.
Another thought, never be afraid to get old. In age you benefit from so much and can get away with so much more.
Thoughts really haven’t changed so much since 180 AD, times and pressure have. Take a step back and enjoy.
Inner solitude is very much worth pursuing.
Anyway, that’s my opinion.