Simpler Life

Simpler Lives

By Katherine Aguilar

A simpler life we can have today if we only realize they were there all along. Simpler times when things were not getting complicated. When in truth. Society can still have simpler times today if it takes a moment to pause amid the fast-paced life. Of trying to keep up with everyone else in terms of who they think is better off than themselves. When in truth that person is doing the same thing as the next person. Then the chase is on. Everyone spends their life chasing the next person they think they can be at the top. When only the truth, they are not so much at the time anymore. The person who actually took time to enjoy their life and live in a simple fashion is pretty much the richest and happiest of them all.

Example

Warren Buffett lives the simple life. He still lives in the house where he married and has lived with his wife since the 1960s. He still drives an old car and eats at McDonald's every day. He is simple and happy, and everyone wants to touch the golden goose to see if they, too, can reach the same dream he has pursued all his life. When they too could've had. Had they only stopped and looked in front of them.

A fond memory of the simple time in my life was when, during the summer, we would travel to visit my relatives. This particular summer was the best. I ended up getting my ears pierced while with my aunt and cousin at the mall. My aunt had bought my cousin the same matching T-shirts. Be were both mischievous. We were physical opposites. She was slender, with long black hair and a bit taller than I was. I was short and plump, with stringy brown hair. If someone would tell you we were twins in looks. That would be a lie. If someone told you at the time that we were twins in spirit, that would have been true. For when one went, the other followed along. After my aunt bought us the shirt, we put it on. We were excited to put them on as we walked into the mall.

People would jokingly and sarcastically say, “You're all twins.” We would answer yes. We didn’t care. Then my aunt asked me if I wanted my ears pierced. I was so excited. I am not sure how old I was. I think I may have been nine or ten. It was the best day ever. I have a little blue stone for my earrings, and they pierced my ears. It hurts a little bit. But I was still excited. It was one of the best days of my young childhood. My “ cousin/twin” was happy for me. We may have gone to get ice cream after that, but it was a cherished, simpler time memory that I remember with my aunt and my cousin.

Living in simpler times isn't just about nostalgia; it's about integrating traditional values and mindfulness into our modern routines to find true fulfillment.

Giving your children all the material things in the world. Has not been kind to them. It has broken future generations of your family tree.

Grandparents see this and spend hours praying, hoping that one day, one of their grandchildren will see it. When they die, they feel at peace, knowing that at least one of the grandchildren will get it, for then at least one will be truly happy. Parents, give your children what they need, what they want. Riches in materials are great, but riches in traditions and faith keep them grounded for a lifetime.

Keep it simple. Your children will thank you and laugh with you when they think of those memories.

As I was thinking about writing this story, I went back to the memory of when we were so poor that we used lanterns. LOl! Yes, in the 1980s, we used lanterns. We had four. The main bill that was paid was the water bill for the bathroom and restroom. For cooking, that is what barbecuing was for, and lanterns were for light. As for gas, we didn’t have any. The house was so full of holes that it had a draft. It wouldn’t help anyway. We just wore about five layers. As I write, I laugh about it. I am grateful that I do not have to live like that anymore. But I remember how people lived before my time ever made it. They seemed to live just fine—hard work, strong families, strong values, and strong beliefs.

Even in today's busy world, embracing small, intentional choices-like spending time with loved ones or enjoying nature-can bring peace and simplicity.