peace

National Simplicity Day

Posted on July 12, 2018 Updated on July 20, 2020

Simplicity Day Image — Image Credit: National Day Calendar

July 12th is another very busy ‘National Day’ with five celebrations. Simplicity Day is observed on the birthday of Henry David Thoreau. He was born on this day in 1817. As a philosopher, he believed in living a simple life:

“In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness.”

He was a world-renowned author, historian, abolitionist, tax resister (my hero!), a surveyor, criticized over-development, preferred the natural ways and transcendentalism and, was a friend of and mentored by, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Born nearly 100 years prior to Alan Watts, the two could have been contemporary peers.

In our overly busy lives, steeped in political battles, materialism, social media madness and the struggle to survive, slowing down, disengaging and walking in nature can be a refreshing break. De-cluttering and simplifying one’s life can, ultimately, bring peace and balance.

Also celebrated today:
National Different Colored Eyes Day
National Pecan Pie Day (Yum!)
Paper Bag Day
Eat Your Jello Day (I’m not kidding)

Cheers and enjoy!

This entry was posted in National Days, Thoughts and tagged 1817, 2018, abolitionist, alan watts, author, balance, busy lives, contemporary peers, de-cluttering, different colored eyes day, disengaging, eat your jello day, henry david thoreau, historian, july 12, laws of the universe, less complex, materialism, national calendar days, natural ways, paper bag day, peace, pecan pie day, philosopher, political battles, poverty, ralph waldo emerson, refreshing break, simple life, simplicity day, slowing down, social media, social media madness, solitude, struggle to survive, surveyor, tax register, transcendentalism, universe, walking in nature, weakness, world renowned.

Summer Solstice 2018

Posted on June 21, 2018 Updated on September 14, 2019

Sun Rays Photo — From My Personal Collection

The Summer Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere was, officially, at 6:07am EDT. It is the longest day of the year. It was a fine day for small tasks, discussing work with my boss, playing with Oliver, taking a walk with a close friend, waiting for rain that never showed up, enjoying a ginger ale while reading and being thankful that I managed to avoid the evening news. 🙄

Oliver Photo — Ollie the 18lbs orange Hemingway (I have thumbs!)

I covet peace and quiet. I covet calm. I see so little of it on a television. I try to keep it on a soothing music channel so I can function.

I was fortunate enough while walking to catch a clear glimpse of our waxing gibbous Moon, 61% illumination, before the clouds moved in for the non-existent rain. I neglected to get a shot of it. I normally chase good renderings of full moons, which is a task with a smartphone. Nothing really matches the rich textures of a camera with real film. I feel the same way about LPs/records. Digital will never capture the tones and depth of analog recordings. And, I’m showing my age. Heh.