I am more and more drawn to stories of contentment, smallness, ENOUGH these days. I read an essay in Kinfolk’s Journey’s book that has really moved me. It’s about a mailman in rural New Zealand who takes a maximum of 7 local tourists on his 75 mile mail route if they so choose. It’s slow travel defined. He knows all 600 people that he delivers mail to. There is one general store that serves everyone. A couple of decades ago Christchurch’s port was damaged in a storm and they had to divert cruise ships to the port in this small community. They had thousands and thousands of tourists and no doubt a ton of money pour in. But the locals hated it. They didn’t want to get bigger or shinier or “more efficient.” When the Christchurch port was repaired and the cruise ships stopped coming, this community was relieved. No one missed the influx of money or people. The general store wasn’t out to make millions on their patrons. Everyone just wants enough to live on and to enjoy life and live together in community. People look out for each other. And a mailman drives a van and invited people along to see it for themselves. I can’t stop thinking about what does “enough” mean. In, well…. Everything.
I’m 59 and still contemplate these thoughts regularly! “Be someone you’re proud of.” If only this mantra was something we put our focus on more consistently. A lifetime is filled with moments that we can redeem. It’s a journey of trips and falls but still we try to be someone we’re proud of. Growing up in a Christian home most of my life I was often taught that pride was something we shouldn’t have. I’m not sure I agree with that and never really did.
My Granddad was a farmer who never had more than two pair of coveralls and two shirts. He plowed behind a team of mules and took pride in a hard days work to provide for his family. He did not seek fame or fortune and was thankful for what he had. By today's standards, he was a poor man, but by historic standards, he was a rich man because he planted and harvested corn, beans and potatoes and was able to provide for his family. Their needs were met through his hands. Generations during the Great Depression and WWII had a different mindset than people today. Those people did not expect to be taken care of or feel entitled, (This was before Welfare, Food Stamps and Social Security) they were not spoiled and had an appreciation for food, shelter, clothing and the smallest things. People had to work, find work, or starve. With industrialization and prosperity in the 1950's, enough was never enough? We deserved bigger, better, more, more, more. Consumerism, wealth, ease of life, entitlement, and endless self-seeking pleasures have caused rot in the human soul and western culture. On the other hand, the strong and well adjusted people among us are productive, hard working, have good character, help others, are honest, loyal, trustworthy, and have something bigger than themselves to think about and work toward. Contentment and being proud of oneself are rarely about money. My Granddad always said, 'idle hands are the devil's workshop'......
I am more and more drawn to stories of contentment, smallness, ENOUGH these days. I read an essay in Kinfolk’s Journey’s book that has really moved me. It’s about a mailman in rural New Zealand who takes a maximum of 7 local tourists on his 75 mile mail route if they so choose. It’s slow travel defined. He knows all 600 people that he delivers mail to. There is one general store that serves everyone. A couple of decades ago Christchurch’s port was damaged in a storm and they had to divert cruise ships to the port in this small community. They had thousands and thousands of tourists and no doubt a ton of money pour in. But the locals hated it. They didn’t want to get bigger or shinier or “more efficient.” When the Christchurch port was repaired and the cruise ships stopped coming, this community was relieved. No one missed the influx of money or people. The general store wasn’t out to make millions on their patrons. Everyone just wants enough to live on and to enjoy life and live together in community. People look out for each other. And a mailman drives a van and invited people along to see it for themselves. I can’t stop thinking about what does “enough” mean. In, well…. Everything.
Ugh I love this so much. Have you seen the Japanese movie Perfect Days. If not, RUN dont walk to see it. It’s on Hulu I think.
I am turning 30 tomorrow and wrapped up in making that mean something. It feels like a deadline. Thank you for this.
Happy birthday!
I’m 59 and still contemplate these thoughts regularly! “Be someone you’re proud of.” If only this mantra was something we put our focus on more consistently. A lifetime is filled with moments that we can redeem. It’s a journey of trips and falls but still we try to be someone we’re proud of. Growing up in a Christian home most of my life I was often taught that pride was something we shouldn’t have. I’m not sure I agree with that and never really did.
My Granddad was a farmer who never had more than two pair of coveralls and two shirts. He plowed behind a team of mules and took pride in a hard days work to provide for his family. He did not seek fame or fortune and was thankful for what he had. By today's standards, he was a poor man, but by historic standards, he was a rich man because he planted and harvested corn, beans and potatoes and was able to provide for his family. Their needs were met through his hands. Generations during the Great Depression and WWII had a different mindset than people today. Those people did not expect to be taken care of or feel entitled, (This was before Welfare, Food Stamps and Social Security) they were not spoiled and had an appreciation for food, shelter, clothing and the smallest things. People had to work, find work, or starve. With industrialization and prosperity in the 1950's, enough was never enough? We deserved bigger, better, more, more, more. Consumerism, wealth, ease of life, entitlement, and endless self-seeking pleasures have caused rot in the human soul and western culture. On the other hand, the strong and well adjusted people among us are productive, hard working, have good character, help others, are honest, loyal, trustworthy, and have something bigger than themselves to think about and work toward. Contentment and being proud of oneself are rarely about money. My Granddad always said, 'idle hands are the devil's workshop'......