Ode to simplification

I was walking through Churchill's War Cabinet today under what seemed like most of St. James Park and musing on how spartan (see photo) these people lived. They were running the war out of some very small cots and bunks for a very long time.

I quickly related this to my current (infinitely less severe) plight in trying to get six humans and tons of baggage across the pond during a period of considerable uncertainty being broadcast by BAA and BA. We'll inevitably end up shipping a good portion of our possessions back via Fedex, and the remainder will be our rations until we are able to return stateside.

This prompted a flurry of synaptic connections to the insights of various sages over the ages that provided a nice, sobering smack-to-the-forehead. Here are three, just off the top of my newly-smacked head:

If you do not adulate the worthy, you will make others non-contentious.
If you do not value rare treasures, you will stop others from stealing.
If people do not see desirables, they will not be agitated.
- Lao Tzu

What a lot of things there are a man can do without. - Socrates

Simplify, simplify, simplify. - Henry David Thoreau

It is Taoist, Confucian (although I cannot recall the analect), Socratic, and trancendentalist to say that a man can do better without a myriad of possessions and attachments. A more recent sage, Chuck Palahniuk, had an alter-ego Tyler Durden say 'The things you own, own you.'. I think I will have to concur, even before I see the invoice from the shipping company for our baggage.

Comments

[rghiselin@comcast.net]

I admire what Socrates said,I value what Thoreau said,and I like Palahniuk's thinking.But according to Lao Tzu, you did the world a disservice by reminding us of these worthy, treasureable and desireable thoughts.:-)Lao Tzu sucks.

[Mom]

What a wonderful way to look at the situation! I agree, lots of good and adventure can come from your many options. It's great that you have had the time (and conversations) with your family members to open up all of your options. Each of them are great!Thanks for continuing to keep us posted!Love, Mom