Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Utah, Wyoming, Montana... and the Colorado.


Question: Could you leave this “high-tech” world and live a simpler life? I’m talking about living 100 miles from town, canning veggies, chopping wood, homeschooling my kids, the entire she-bang. What do you think? Could you do it?

Until about 5 days ago, I would have told you no way! Now, I seriously think that I could, that I would not only embrace it… but also thrive.

So, occasionally I think of something, and it surprises me. Then the thought of it, leads to a realization in another aspect of my life. As we are driving across some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen; were there aren't houses for miles and miles, and the land is exactly set up for raising cows and a few horses. A thought occurred to me, "when did my life become so focused on possessions?" Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a crazy "I have to have this, or I have to have that" but, there is a part of me that is always saving money to buy the next thing. Working not one, but three jobs to make sure I have what I want. Don't get me wrong, it is by choice, and I don't live outside my means, but when did it become so important? 
I started to question all the things I've worked so hard for, and analyze if I could live without it, and why I don't.
Smartphone for instance, is it really important that I can Google something, or look at Facebook whenever I please? 
What about my car with leather seats, or my 300 pairs of shoes... many pairs of boots included.
Directv with DVR? I bet I don't watch 4 hours of TV a week.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW. 
Which brings me to the real point. What is all this stuff about? And if I could live without it, why don't I? 
Now the realization of this also brought on a realization about Colorado. See ladies, there are things I haven't told you. First, he lives in a camper, by choice. At first, I was ashamed to admit this to people. But after I had the above realization, I started to analyze why? Why does it bother me? What does it tell me about his character? Second, he doesn't have a smartphone, doesn't drive a new truck, and has debated over a month about getting a puppy, deciding that he doesn't have time for one. How does this entire thing tie together?
Well here it is:
I don’t believe that people are what they have. I think that true character goes deeper than that. So, if I truly believe this, why am I so worried about stuff? I’m deciding that I’m not going to be, that I’m going to be more than “what I have.” The truth? I like Colorado, I like his quirkiness, his opinionated attitude, his “take it or leave it” approach, and I like the simpleness in his life that he embraces.
Friends are important to Colorado, doing his job the best he can, being educated about the things around him… he actually cares about just about everything but what “possessions” he has.
I don’t know why Colorado and I have crossed paths, but I do know that I’ve learned things about myself because of him, and that I’ll always be grateful.

3 comments:

  1. What a thought provoking post! It's so great to hear more from you, darling. x

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  2. now the hard part is remembering that-it is so easy to get caught up in 'all that' again. this is something that i constantly have to remind myself about.

    and about colorado: GIVE ME A NAME WOMAN!!

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  3. Candace, he isn't from here! Il message you his name and Rich's

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