Lightkeeper's Journal

Rest

Photography and Thoughts by Norma Beaird

 

Rest...

I have always believed that peace and rest are greatly underrated. We live in a culture where we must constantly be "doing something". Even a vacation or weekend trip must be full of activities and movement from dawn to dusk.

 

Will the next generation ever learn from us

...that it's okay to rest and be quiet?

 

Sometimes, we just need to slow down and break from the endless cycle of being busy. I don't say this out of a judgmental spirit; but, it's no wonder that people cannot function without alcohol, anti-depressants, or a stop by the vape shop. And, if we don't rest, never stop moving, and continue to abuse our bodies, it will finally negatively affect our immune system. 

 

Many people live in constant stress and chaos. Their bodies and their minds never rest until they collapse into bed at night. Access to technology constantly stimulates our brain. Even God rested on the 7th day during Creation. We need to take a cue from the Lord. Sometimes, we need to say "No" to another busy assignment or politely decline an activity that will bring on more stress or dread.

 

This is not about shirking responsibility. It's about creating a lifestyle of peace and sanity. Constant non-stop busyness does not enrich our soul. Quiet walks, meditating on the Lord, and sitting in a chair by the river will bring peace, rest and tranquility to a weary spirit. Consequently, a rested soul, mind and body is more productive when productivity really matters.

 

Genesis 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.

 

Exodus 34:21

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

 

Mark 6:31

And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

 

 

All scriptures are King James Version.

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Strength for the Battle

 

 Article and Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

The toughest battles we fight occur within ourselves. The battleground is always an inner choice. Even the simplest decision occurs long before we feed the coins into the drink machine.

The tussle between “Yes or No” --- "I will or I won’t" --- "I can or I can’t" --- is resolved within our mind, spirit, inner person. Take your pick of the name you give it. Our inner life manages our outer actions.

Our inner life sources patience, kindness, courage, faith, hope and love, all of which require energy. Love is one of the most demanding actions in a day that is bathed in perpetual chaos. There are very few who are standing on the curb clapping when the parade called love goes by. Caring rarely comes naturally. It takes an inner effort beyond feeling sorry for the kittycat caught in a tree to move us to action. Leaning into the struggle takes effort, and sometimes a lot of it.

Courage trails love only slightly in its energy demands. How many times a day does a call to step up and take responsibility begin with a sigh? “He did what?” “You mean I’ve got to do that again?” Long silence. Turmoil twists our spirit. Our inner person spins out of control in an all-too-familiar whirlpool. Finally. “I will be there in thirty minutes.”

Exhausting. Simply exhausting. Hope can fade if we go it alone in our world of constant choices, especially when those choices are seldom heroic and are too often made of tedium. Faith requires more than a gritty self-determination to see it through. The Apostle Paul knew how fragile the inner person could be when faced with a constant flow of disappointment and a spirit pushed past fatigue.

So he prayed. He prayed for his friends at Ephesus. He prayed for all who faced the challenge through the ages. He prays for us.

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.”  Ephesians 3:16

Strengthened …
with might
by His spirit
in the inner man.

Who really wants to turn that down?

 

 

 

Copyright 2017, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

When God Makes You Smile

 

An immature female Northern Cardinal with a cool hairdo

Article by Norma Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Sometimes, in the midst of difficult decisions, constant concerns, and waiting for doors to open, God makes us smile.  Usually, waiting is not easy.  Answers don't always come immediately after we pray, but sometimes God gently nudges us and reminds us that everything will be okay.  

The valley of decision can be a deep and impatient valley.  And, it's during those times that we need to look outside of our situation and think about something new and different.  

Carolina Chickadee waits for the male Northern Cardinal to move!

 

On those days, when it seems the answer will never come.....

On those days, when it seems you can't see a light at the end of a tunnel.....

On those days, when you feel discouragement eclipsing your joy.....

God will give us a reason to smile.  

We had been feeling particularly frustrated about a decision that needed to be made.  No matter where we had looked, we couldn't find an answer.  The frustration was like the summer humidity in Georgia, stifling and overwhelming.

 ....and then I looked outside to see the most adorable little Cardinal with her little top-knot of hair standing straight up.  In a single moment, I forgot my frustrations and concerns and laughed out loud as I thought, "Why doesn't my hair gel work like that?"

Nature photography has provided us many opportunities to smile and forget our worries and concerns.  Consequently, today was no different because the Lord wants us to trust Him completely for answers, decisions, provision, healing and protection.  

Hebrews 11:11

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

The Lord wants us to keep the faith.  Therefore, when we're in a tailspin because we can't find answers to our questions or confirmation for our decisions, He sometimes draws us outside in nature, reminding us that as He takes care of the birds and the animals, He will take care of us as well.  God reminds us that everything will be okay......and He makes us smile. 

Our Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Papa) and junior flying off in the background

 

Matthew 6: 27 - 30

²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

 

 

Copyright 2013, Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

All scripture is King James Version

Rest for the Weary - It's Allowed

Article by Norma W. Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Many times in life, we become so busy with schedules, appointments, work, school, and everything else in between, that we completely lose sight of the beauty that is in front of us.  When you're running late for work, you don't necessarily take the time to focus on the lovely hot pink azaleas in your front yard or the dogwood tree in the park down the street.  

When you're on the way to the doctor, you're not necessarily focused on the sunshine-colored sunflowers or the blue skies dotted with cotton clouds.  You're in a hurry, probably going to do something that you don't want to do, and you have one goal........get it over with as quickly as possible!

 

This is how the American culture lives life, not to the fullest, but in a hurry.  Hurry here, hurry there, you're late, I'm late.......  No wonder our culture fights heart attacks, high blood pressure, disease and stress on every level.  We have to get to where we're going.....now.  We can't say "No" when we know our plate is already full.  

What will people think if they find out you're tired, stressed, overworked and in need of rest?   Wonder what will they think when you're in ICU waiting for a heart cath or an angioplasty? 

Will they think that you're not......

Superhuman?    Bullet-Proof?     Perfect?  

 

In 1969, my father died of a massive heart attack at 43 years of age.  He was manager of a huge grocery store in South Carolina.  He worked until all hours of the night, stocking shelves and making sure the store ran properly. He ran a "tight ship".  In today's terms, he would be considered a workaholic.  

In addition, he was also held up and robbed on two different occasions. On one occasion, he was robbed at knife-point as he and the assistant manager were tied up and left in the back storeroom. On another occasion when he was managing a store in Georgia, he was robbed at gunpoint. To say he lived under stress is an understatement. Unfortunately, he finally paid the ultimate price with his life.

 

My point in sharing this story with you?  Life is too precious to be spent in a whirlwind of stress.  Some of you who are reading this may be struggling with changing careers, finding a less stressful job, retiring, slowing down or even taking a day off.  Let's be honest about the subject of rest as we look to the Word of God.  

Even the good Lord took a day of rest:

Genesis 2: 2 - 3

² And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.

³ And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.

So, if the Lord thought that it was important to rest, and we're created in His image, then it's extremely important that we take the time to rest. After all, God deserves your very best.  Your family deserves your very best, and you can't give your best to anyone or anything when you're constantly exhausted, overworked and burning the candle at both ends. Sometimes, it's important to say, "No"!   Your mind and your physical body needs rest.  You need emotional, mental and physical rest.

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.  

So, on this beautiful day that the Lord hath made.......

Rejoice........and Rest.

Copyright 2013, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Why We Became Bird Watchers

Article By:  Norma W. Beaird

Photography By:  Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Genesis 1:21

 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 

For years, when I heard about bird watchers, I always envisioned a professor wearing a khaki photographer's vest with a matching safari hat.  He would be holding a pair of expensive binoculars while standing in the middle of a wildlife preserve.  In my mind, I would picture him on an exotic safari, gazing at the many colorful bird species or lobbying for the protection of a rare bird through environmental causes.  Consequently, we have learned that bird watching is an intensely exciting adventure for people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, something enjoyed by college students, professors, environmentalists, photographers, housewives and grandmothers!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the leading authority on the study of birds in the United States.  On Facebook, they announced a fun event called The Great Backyard Bird Count.  This event got us started and off to Lowe's we went for a bird feeder!  One Backyard Bird Count and we were hooked.  My only regret?  I wish I would have started watching birds years ago.  This has brought a sense of peace, joy and excitement that has fired me up spiritually, emotionally and mentally.  I have been utterly fascinated by the many different species that I never realized existed.....until now.  God has truly created a beautiful, colorful and fascinating world!

I have always admired the beautiful exotic birds, such as Parrots, Parakeets, Cockatoos and Scarlet Macaws, but for years, I didn’t give much thought to the many species of birds that surround us every single day.  Like most folks, I was busy with college, work or various family responsibilities.  One fond memory that I always had as a child was sitting on the front porch with my grandmother and listening as ‘Ole Bob White whistled his loud and cheerful bird song in the woods across the street.  This sweet memory leads me into a heart-warming story about my grandmother. 

Before I was born, my grandmother had a parakeet that she dearly loved named Billy.  He would sit in his cage while she was cooking dinner or supper (in the South, lunch is dinner and dinner is supper), and she would teach him to talk.  “Billy is a pretty boy!”  “I love you!” or “Give me some sugar, darling!”  My grandmother became attached to Billy as he became a very entertaining member of the household. 

On one particular occasion, my grandmother went into the hospital for surgery and was hospitalized for a week.  During her hospitalization, my mother said that Billy completely stopped talking.  It was as though he went into a depression because my grandmother wasn’t there.  The day that she came home from the hospital, my mother said that Billy looked at her and checked her out from top to bottom, and the next day at breakfast, he would not hush.  Talk, talk, and then talk some more.  He was so happy to see my grandmother.  It was so special that a precious little parakeet had such an affection for my grandmother.  After Billy died, my grandmother didn’t seek to have another bird because she became so attached to him, and it is so sad when the beautiful creatures you adore pass on to bird heaven. 

So, now that there is a bit of history, why do Curtis and I have a fascination with birds?  Well, it’s actually a long story, but then again, we can sum it up in several paragraphs, to include the life lessons that are learned through years of experience, decision-making, introspection and observation.  Hopefully, as time moves on, we gain a little wisdom and clarity, realizing the spiritual need for peace and contentment in our fast-paced modern culture. 

When we are all younger, we think that the only way to “make it” or “succeed” is to go ninety-to-nothing, blowing and going, meeting and greeting, shaping up or shipping out.  We have to network and nitpick, upsize and modernize, friend and trend, look the part, act the part and keep up with the Joneses.  It’s never enough to be ourselves; we must be what the culture demands we should be. 

We work and work and spend and spend, saving nothing emotionally or spiritually for the future.  We store and hoard, pay room and board, stipulate and congregate, prioritize and monetize; and finally, when it’s all said and done, we burn out the candle on both ends. 

We become tired, empty, discouraged, and a shell of what God created us to be. 

We may have the distinguished career, the office with a view, the perks of upper management or the nicely-manicured home; however, if we have high blood pressure and plaque in the arteries, was it really worth it?  Emotionally and financially, our culture is stressed to the max and the ever-busy worker bees come home every evening to eat, sleep, shower and start the tiresome process all over again.  Rest has become a four-lettered word.   In our restless, non-stop, activity-laden culture, there is little time left to enjoy the awe-inspiring gift of God's creation. 

People rarely take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset, or......feed the birds.

 

Stories like these can go on forever.  But, you get the point.  We make life more difficult than it needs to be.  The Bible says in Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  However, in most cases, our wants overrule our needs and our desires overrule our better judgment.  Thus, we end up with a lot of stuff and a nice facade, but little peace or happiness.  Why?  Because working constantly to attain more stuff leads to utter exhaustion and the need to insure it, store it or repair it.  Sometimes we fix it, sell it or trade it, and then start the cycle all over again.

For example, when people acquire the objects of their wildest dreams, they never really learn to appreciate them.  The object or thing....... the home, the car, the boat, the jewelry or even the achievement will become another notch on the belt of accomplishments and acquisitions.   It seems that nothing can be treasured, cherished or admired.  It is calculated, measured and stacked.  An oil painting or a unique piece of jewelry is not viewed as a work of art, but rather another material object to be checked off of the list that's entitled, "I Couldn't Live Without It".   It's no surprise that this attitude devalues the object's personal meaning.  People want it.......but do they really appreciate the creativity, talent, technical expertise or artistic ability that went into the acquisition on their list?

Inevitably, spiritual discontentment brings people to their knees.  After folks graduate from the school of hard knocks with a Bachelors Degree in Stress and a Minor in Exhaustion, they step back, re-examine their priorities and start searching for a better life.  This is not a life that includes more titles, more money or more stuff, but a life that includes an appreciation for what God set in place for us…… absolutely free of charge.  This includes the gift of His salvation, the breath of life, the love of family, the beauty of nature, the joy of contentment, and the birds.   Peace....... without a price tag. 

 Philippians 4: 5 – 8 says it best:

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

When we read these verses of scripture, it we take heed of verse 8 especially, we will understand that many of the worldly things that we seek do not fall into “whatsoever things are pure, lovely or of good report”. 

Why? 

Because the things that most people seek are temporal, not eternal.  Material possessions will rust or fall into disrepair.  They will pass away.  

 

The spiritual always supercedes the physical.

Remember these words of Jesus?   

Matthew 6: 19 - 21

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

So, even if we lay up vast and immense treasures upon the earth, when it’s all said and done, what have we really accomplished?   Have we acquired or have we made a difference?  It’s not about the grind of success or the accumulation of material possessions.  Real living is about serving the Lord, loving our families, helping our neighbors and taking care of this lovely earth that God has entrusted into our care. 

How many times have you heard about a dying man or woman lying on their deathbed and lamenting, “I wish I would have made more money,” or “I wish I could have had a bigger house.”  Most people wish they would have spent more time with family and had appreciated the relationships and beauty that God has placed all around us. 

Therefore, we have learned to appreciate the excitement and gratitude of a little bird as he lands on our feeder, inspecting every seed to be delivered to the nest.  There’s nothing like it.  The world may never learn to say “thank you” for your hard work or achievement.  Your material possessions may never bring you peace; but, all of this is suddenly forgotten when you see that the little American Goldfinch at your thistle feeder has brought three more to partake of your offering.  That may seem miniscule to most, but it means a lot to folks who finally figured it out.  Life is best enjoyed through the truth of God’s Word and the beauty of His creation, not through the conventional results of worldly pursuits.

Another positive aspect of bird watching is that it requires the bird watcher to be still and quiet.  How many times do people take the time to be still and quiet, to watch and wait?  When we photograph an inspiring picture of a Blue Jay in flight with a peanut in his beak, we realize that the time and silence required to capture the moment was absolutely worth it.  Sometimes, silence is truly golden! 

Sometimes......opportunities in life work and sometimes they don't.  My grandmother always said, “Sometimes life’s disappointments are God’s appointments.”  I have found out that she was right.  Life is full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, celebrations and disappointments.  Sometimes, our earthly journey brings us to a place that requires us to look at life through a different set of spiritual glasses.  The things that we once thought were so important were mere blips on the radar screen of life, as we were on our way to living a life infused with the fruits of the Spirit. 

Galations 5: 22 - 23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Things don't always turn out as planned; sometimes they actually turn out better.  Sometimes we learn to be still and pray, meditating upon the goodness of the Lord and knowing that God has it all under control.  Sometimes, we learn to rest and be at peace.

Today, we appreciate God's blessings all around us, finding inspiration and contentment in the beauty and wonder of nature.  ........and that's why we became bird watchers!  

 

 

All scripture is King James Version

Copyright 2012, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

 

 

 

 

Signs You're Living in Georgia

It's amazing what you will see while sitting at a traffic light. 

 

Article by:  Norma W. Beaird

Photography by:  Curtis and Norma Beaird

Curtis and I absolutely love photography, mostly outdoor photography to include nature, landscapes, coastal scenes and old churches.  At the same time, in searching for beautiful and interesting photos, we sometimes come across signs that are very humorous (at least they're humorous to us).  On top of this, we love to laugh!  Laughter is like medicine, except it has less side effects!     

Sometimes, we need to trade the serious for the humorous,

and trade the chaos for the calm. 

As you can probably tell, we're a little eclectic in our subject matter.  Even though the world seems to have gone crazy at the moment, we need to train ourselves to occasionally view the positive and joyful side of life.   If we always feed our mind the constant bad news, the never-ending political spin and the horrifying apocalyptic predictions, we'll be a prime candidate for the latest anti-depressant on the market today.

Sometimes, despite the negativity that surrounds us 24/7, we need to laugh and find the humor that is all around us.  Sometimes, we need to photograph that funny sign that may not contribute anything towards world peace, but it gives us some emotional relief.   As a matter of fact, the Mayo Clinic endorses laughter as an effective means of stress management.

It's okay to laugh.  It's okay to have a sense of humor and be happy.

Proverbs 15: 13 

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:

but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Sometimes, we need to take a break from the stress, the traumas, and the little life dramas.  (Wow!......how poetic)  Sometimes, we need to "lighten up"  and give it a break......or a rest.  It may be as simple as going camping and admiring the beauty of nature.  It may be as simple as spending time with the grandchildren.  It may be as simple as a husband and wife scheduling a date night at their favorite secluded restaurant. 

Sometimes, it may be as simple as photographing your pet or a bird in the front yard.  You may relieve stress by writing your thoughts in a journal.  It may be as easy as watching a funny re-run on TV.  It may be as soothing as a pedicure or as relaxing as a drive through the quiet countryside.  It may be as simple as going fishing in your favorite pond or lake.  It doesn't have to be expensive or require a lot of planning, but it does need to relieve stress and redirect your thoughts to what is really important in life. 

Find a reason to laugh and bring some sunshine to a cloudy day.

Laughter is contagious!

As part of our humor therapy, we want to share some of the things that we find funny.  Since we live in Georgia, we have noticed that Georgia businesses have a knack for producing three things in their signage. 

1.  Signs with part of the lights out.  Blown-out light bulbs are a sure-fire sign you're in Georgia. 

2.  Signs with funny messages, whether or not it's meant to be humorous. 

3.  Signs with straight talk about their requirements for entering the premises. 

We also find pictures of things that don't necessarily classify as signage, but they're so funny that we have to share them!  Living in Georgia provides many opportunities for entertainment. 

There are times when we don't always have our cameras with us.  A few of these were photographed with our cell phone.  We just couldn't pass them up!  Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

 

This sign doesn't mean that Georgia is filled with so many skinny folks that they can't keep their pants up.  No, siree!  Georgia is home to many buffets, where fried chicken, cornbread and grease are part of the food pyramid.   We do have some young folks who are really proud of their underwear. 

**************

Signs like this are everywhere.   I thought Missouri was the "Show Me" state.

**************

I'll never forget when we posted this sign on Facebook.  A very humorous and single friend of mine posted the following comment under this sign...."I'd like to have a hot Doug!"   Well, it wasn't long before she found one.  His name wasn't Doug, but according to her Facebook photos, it looks as though her love life has certainly improved! 

**************

Curtis attended a drag race at this particular drag strip near Macon just one time.  That's all it took.  Most businesses warn about illegal drugs and alcohol.  In Georgia, there are a few additions.

**************

St. R Bucks?   

  Do they need to increase the price of their Mocha Lattes to afford a few light bulbs? 

**************

With a name like Ed Obster, I would vote for him for president. 

**************

Are you serious?  Don't turn Uncle Ned loose on the Oconee River!

**************

First of all, we're not very traditional.  We had a nice dinner buffet on the Savannah Riverboat on Christmas Eve.  On Christmas Day, we had a more casual dinner at IHOP (yes, you read IHOP).  When we walked out of IHOP, this is what we saw in front of us.   As a man exited the driver's side, I inquired about his unusual passenger.  He replied with a grin, "Oh yes, that's my son-in-law!"

**************

You have to understand something.  When you eat at greasy (pronounced gree-zee) All-You-Can-Eat buffets in Georgia, you need to be near a restroom at all times.  Sometimes our digestive systems are not wired for an onslaught of fried catfish, collard greens, hushpuppies and sweet tea.  If you don't believe this, just ask Paula Deen. 

**************

Four things are really important to Georgia folks:   

Church fish fries, deer hunting, firearms and working bathrooms

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:  1 - 8 (King James Version)

¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

 

Copyright 2012, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

 

Waiting for the Turkeys to Cross the Road

 

Article By:  Norma W. Beaird

Photography By:  Curtis Beaird

 

A little over six years ago, I moved to a rural area in Georgia to work at the local college.  I had never lived in a town this small, and for me, it was quite a culture shock.  At first, it was a fascination because I drove to work down a long country road as opposed to a dangerous and traffic-laden interstate.  Instead of stopping at traffic lights, I actually stopped for a family of turkeys to cross the road.  At night, instead of being overwhelmed by city lights and sirens, I was overwhelmed by the number of deer attempting to leap in front of my car.    

In the mornings, I would awake to a serene quietness that you never find in the city.  Instead of horns and screeching brakes, I would hear chirping birds, whistling trees and the irritated geese that lived across the street.  However, the fascination soon wore off and I realized that I was living in “the middle of nowhere”.  Some people call it the “sticks” or the “boonies”, but I called it slow and uninspiring.  My newfound world suddenly turned into something that seemed boring, backwards and remote.  Thus, the complaining began.  I thought I was surely missing out on something.  Then, I thought I had lost something.  Later on, I finally realized that I had lost nothing, but had gained something much more valuable called peace, quiet and renewed faith.

In the past, I was always considered a social butterfly who never met a stranger, and I always enjoyed having a lot of places to go and see.  Having owned a travel business, I enjoyed being on the go.  I appreciated options, and that meant having a wide variety of restaurants, gas stations, malls and discount outlets within a five-mile radius.  Convenience and entertainment always meant a lot to me, until now. 

Sometimes life steps in and changes things.  After my husband recovered from cancer, a heart attack and then a serious retina surgery, the recovery time forced us both back into an appreciation for the simple and quiet things of life.  Healing takes time and requires peace and quiet.  Later on, after I went through a surgery and recovery time, I found myself yearning less for action and yearning more for tranquility.  This slow way of life was now agreeing with me.  Trust me; it’s easier to recuperate when you’re not living a fast-paced life under stress while listening to sirens and loud neighbors.

Unlike the modern culture of “bigger is better”, we live in a country cottage and we are approximately ninety minutes from the nearest mall.  We’re about thirty minutes from a department store, but that’s okay.  Not having immediate access to materialistic pleasures has taught me something about life that should be evident to most human beings, but as usual, we have to learn the valuable lessons the hard way.  Life is best enjoyed when a person is not overwhelmed with noise and stuff.  If I want or need something, I may have to drive a while to find it, or order it online.  But again, that’s okay, because living in the country teaches a person to have patience while calming a restless spirit.   

Constant stimulation with no rest leaves very little room for creativity, imagination and logical thought process.  In the Old Testament, we read in the book of Genesis that the Lord rested on the seventh day.  If the Lord found it important to rest, and we’re created in His image, then we need to rest as well.  It’s okay to stay home sometimes and not attend every game, every meeting and every concert.  It’s okay to take a vacation or sit on the front porch.  Sometimes it’s okay to say “No”.   It’s easier to heal when your calendar is not full. 

My husband and I love to go to the city, but we’ve been in the country long enough that the city noise now drives us bonkers.  Driving in city traffic feels like a punishment for something we didn’t do.  Being pushed through large crowds reminds me of being herded like cattle.  It’s amazing what living the simple life can do for you.  Consequently, you don’t realize how much you enjoy simplicity until you’re thrust into the middle of chaos.

A life of simplicity has affected other areas as well.  We don’t own a microwave oven.  My husband and I have collected old-fashioned cast iron cookware.  One of my greatest joys in the kitchen is frying an egg on a round cast iron skillet, and, I must admit that butter-coated wheat bread tastes the best when heated on the same skillet where you fried the egg.   I love to fry an egg and make toast for him and take it out to the front porch.  He eats breakfast while watching Henry, our front porch lizard, crawl in and out of the Boston Ferns.  Yes, something has definitely happened to us.  And no, we didn’t lose our minds; we reclaimed our sanity.  We traded stress for peace.  We have learned that being busy and being productive can reside at opposite ends of the spectrum. 

Simplicity is completely underrated.  Sometimes, life brings us to a place where we are forced to reckon with what is really important.  We realize that more is not always satisfying or even better.  Sometimes, we realize that less is more and that more stuff just means more debt and more responsibility.  In the end, it all goes to a yard sale or a landfill.  Sometimes, the best things in life are truly free and they don’t require a storage unit.  God will never send us a bill for viewing a gorgeous sunset, a butterfly or a red-headed woodpecker.  The Lord won’t charge us for peace and tranquility.  Our Creator provided a world of beauty that can’t be bought with silver or gold.  You can’t put a price on love, hope, family or nature.   Learn to enjoy the priceless things in life without a price tag.  Take back what the culture stole from you and learn to enjoy the simple life.  Sometimes we need to wait for the turkeys to cross the road.      

 

Copyright 2011, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.

 

 

 

How City People Can Live in the Woods and Survive

 

 

Article and Photography

By: Curtis Beaird

So, now you have your dream.  It’s quiet.  The neighbors are few and far between.  The grass is green.  The trees are tall and stately, offering a warm cocoon of longed-for silence.

Now what?

Boredom is real.  Think about it.  We spend our life awash in external stimulation.  Even the maddening crowd doesn’t seem so bad now.  At least when we were crowd dodging, we never realized how numb we were.

Boredom is bad, but numb is frightening.  The silence of the trees.  The quiet magic of the green grass growing.  A yellow butterfly.  Where is the tension, the stress?  Where are the jangling habits of anticipation and complaint that make city life the exciting, exhausting, tasty, angering aggravation that it is?  At least a small burst of road rage lets us know we are alive.

Numb needs risk.  Real risk.  Something has to be at stake for life to taste sweet.  The edge of silence is an abyss calling for a creative response.  The gaping abyss of the woods waits in its frightening silence for us to fill it with something, anything, but, it’s our choice.  Our offering can be nothing or our best.  Again, it’s our choice.  Scary, huh?  The city makes its demands.  It tempts us to believe its illusive promise.  The tall trees stand in a dark void and wait.

City noise, the bungling crowd, teaming malls jammed with stuff, promising delight, asks nothing of us but to survive the traffic and bring money.   We settle for the risk of crossing a jammed intersection.  We settle for the sites and sounds that threaten to overwhelm or satisfy us.  We confuse the creative process with a burst of adrenalin, regardless of how it’s produced.  Our numb remains hidden in the jangle of the city.

The fight or flight choice won’t paint a Sistine chapel.  Passion, faith, risk of real failure and work, will create that and more.  Numb needs risk to become life.  Real risk.  Something has to be at stake for life to taste sweet.  The tall trees wait.

 

Copyright 2011, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved.