I remember many years of journeys without a car. I went to a small private school in an rural environment. In the beginning of my time there, I waited for a van transport home each afternoon. Then I decided to just walk home, instead. It was a four mile walk. I either felt part of nature, or was creating stories in my head. My stories. Sometimes people I knew spotted me and gave me a ride part of the way.

Then I went to university. Four years without a car there. I loved the buses, though. I was often squeezed between other students. It was like being in a herd, of sorts. We were all headed in the same direction with a similar purpose, sometimes eyeing each other with interest. Then off to Berkeley, California where I lived two years. Again, no car. I walked to work each day and all around town. Sometimes I took the BART to San Francisco. That's a great city to pound the pavement in! Then on to Taiwan. I didn't even own a scooter, like many did. Initially I walked hours per day, observing the hustle and bustle and smelling the unique smells and hearing exotic sounds. The beauty and benefit of mindfulness! A learning experience.

When I returned to my home state after my travels, I was forced to buy a car. Though my state is densely populated, it still has smallish towns. It has its rural beauty, but a lot of suburban areas, too. After starting a career, the rat race began. Yes, I drove most everywhere. I had to get places quick, quick, quick. There was lots and lots to do, and little time to do it. A trip with a cart in the grocery store became like a type of car. Just as there's road rage, cart rage exists, too.

Sometimes life in general is an analogy for a tunnel vision run, and not a panoramic walk. Many of us work(ed) 60 hours per week, plus errands, chores, cooking, cleaning, and carting kids here and there. Trying to fit in some gym time? Or something else? Even that's often a fast-moving rush. Then there's the sad reality that most people in my country (the US) have little time for vacation. They start most out at two weeks. My nephew in Czech Republic starts at five, plus many other days the average person doesn't get in the states. Some people even take express vacations, like whirl-wind tours. Eight cities in eight days? That's not uncommon, for some.

TV and movies can be nice, but in moderation, I think. Over time they became an unhealthy escape. I think that if you get too much, it's almost like giving your life away. I've lived years with little to no access to TV or movies. Did I miss them? Honestly? Very little. Even today I only watch the "tube" when my husband puts it on. I'm by his side, but we communicate little other than a laugh here and there. Our focus is in one direction. The screen we watch doesn't reflect any "true" reality. If you punched right through it, you'd hit the wall. And it feeds us stuff that sometimes does us harm.

I am not a heavy cell phone user, but I confess I do spend oodles of time on the internet. I could definitely be better served by walking outside more, but I don't. The sad reality is that I get more social contact in places like this. Though woods are nearby and I love seeing animals, I yearn for people contact. Unfortunately, so much social contact on the outside is transactional. Eight dollars for a coffee and pastry at the cafe. One hundred fifty at the grocery store. Six dollars for a slice of pizza and diet Coke. Twenty five to fill the gas tank.

Many of us see our family and friends so little, nowadays. I know this may be different in other places around the world, but where I am, in my situation, it is often the case. They're wrapped up in their race. There's a rush from the table to go separate directions. That's often staring at screens of virtual nothing. Or at least nothing that sinks in to our souls in any deep way.

What to do? What to do?

[wiretwister]

it is true the simple life is the good life . . . most of my life is gone and it was just such a blur . . I really wished I had taken time to " smell the roses " as an adult , as I did as a child , living in a very rural area where our play ground was nature . . . and inside was just saturday morning cartoons . . .

well said : " birddancer " . . .

[MickeyCheeky]

I hear you, @BirdDancer. I can relate to what you're saying! I do often feel like I'm just wasting my time away. It's not a good feeling I don't have many friends either. I don't have many alternatives and I live a rather sheltered life overall. Thank you for making this post as it made me think a little bit more about my Life, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Thank you for that, birdDancer! Sending many AWESOME, caring, kind, sweet, warm, whishful, wise and WONDERFUL hugs and positive vibes to you and your family! Take care, my dear, sweet friend! Keep fighting! Hopefully we'll ALL be able to find some Inner Peace one way or another!

[~Christina]

I think you have had such an amazing life , walking ,busing , college then off to another country , how exciting !!

Then slide into a typical suburban life with all the hustle bustle.

I hear you on wishing for more people time. I’m torn , I want more face to face but often when I have something planned I have to back out due to Bipolar or my limitations pain wise.

I get much of my support through many people online, here and from old timers that no longer are active here.

It’s really all a balancing act this life we have. It’s like riding a unicycle with 3 different stacks of dishes to all keep from smashing to the ground.

I love how your able to describe life experiences and being able to look at your current situation and make changes or at least acknowledge you see things that could be improved. Is a wonderful ability.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi BirdDancer!

Thanks so much for sharing!

I, too, find the "rat race" drives much of what goes on in our world. Too much.
I find most people around me are caught up in their race and when they take a break, they are watching TV or otherwise getting lost in some electronic something.

How do people truly connect on a deeper level? Do people want to connect on a deeper level?

I have often searched for deeper relationships. Once in awhile, I'd find someone interested in sharing and in truly getting to know one another, with no ulterior motive. It can be scary to share enough about ourselves to allow someone to truly "see" us. Relationships like this can be so much more rewarding. They can also be very challenging.

Relationships built upon open sharing can grow to be very strong and, for various reasons, can suddenly fall apart. The survival of such a relationship largely depends upon the dedication of each party to see things through. I have found the most healthy, fruitful and stable relationships have been friendships in which both parties practice mindfulness and set healthy intentions for the friendship.

I need to get out more and spend more time in nature. I find walks in nature both ground me and center me.

It's been a long time since I have found/participated in a friendship in which we both enrich one another's souls.

Just yesterday, I'd found current contact information for a friend I have not seen in 25 years. We used to be very best friends, sharing big parts of our lives, always helping one another, laughing heartily together, etc. Over time I grew in a very different direction. We no longer "jived." I was very highly criticized for adopting a life in which I'd practice mindfulness. It was very difficult to part ways. The only way we could let go was to simply stay away from one another. This was a very painful way to deal with our differences. Knowing what I know now, I'd hope we could handle things very differently. Even now, I cannot and do not, expect her to be any different than she is. In this case, I am hoping to connect in order to simply express my gratitude for the years we did have together as best friends. We may or may not decide to "catch up." I'd like to do so; yet, she may not desire the same. It's important I accept her exactly as she is today. Honestly, I hope I will be accepted in the same way. I don't expect a major rehab of our relationship. It's okay for us to live in very different places while continuing to fully honor one another.

Deep, soulful relationships tend to demand more thoughtfulness and, often, more dedication than the average relationship. The rewards can be great! The misunderstandings can be many. Yet, if parties move forward in a friendship while setting clear and healthy intentions, and while practicing mindfulness, the chances of nurturing one another's souls, the likelihood of enriching one another's lives, is infinitely greater.

Okay! Back to the "rat race" I go!!!

Much Love~

Thanks for sharing about this topic, too, my friends! I appreciate it.

wiretwister, I yearn for the simple life so much. It's strange, one might think being home on disability would bring that, and yet it doesn't completely. I've got to do something to find it.

MickeyCheeky, it's hard to believe that someone as sweet and supportive as you has fewer friends than you'd like. I definitely want to be your friend, though I realize I'm physically far away.

Christina, your analogy about the unicycle is so spot on!

Wild Coyote, I so understand wanting to interact and understand people on a deeper level. We've sort of discussed this subject recently, but I must also express my fear and reluctance about what I call "exposing my tender underbelly" to new people. I've been deeply hurt in the past. I know that I've hurt others, too. I regret that so much. I am reminded how my pet parrot would get on his back with his belly facing up and his feet in the air, and look at me asking "Kiss or rub me on my belly, Mama!" And I would. He trusted me completely because he knew that I had nothing but love for him. He knew because we'd stare at each other so deeply as if looking at each other's souls. Even the last minutes of our time together he got on his back. The vet listened to his heart while he was in the palm of my hand. He held on to my finger with his beak, gently, and held on to the finger of my other hand with his foot. Isn't it amazing how well pets can connect with us on deeper levels? Sometimes people's pets are the closest creatures to them. They see things differently. They put their priorities in the right place. They are mostly selfless. They lead simple lives.

My bird boy hated my laptop. He wanted me to pay attention to HIM! In the photo below he's saying "Look at ME! Not the computer!"

[Wild Coyote]

Yes!

We just have to say "Yes" to love, yes to friendship, like your Parrot did!

Of course, it was not done blindly. Nor should anyone blindly expose him/her self. Yet, I do think I can take "calculated risks," based upon how people live their lives.

I'd once hear a great motivational speaker advise: "Never marry someone who does not share your values. It will be a constant heartache." I think the same could be true of friends. while we all have different ideas, and the contrasts can be interesting, we are most likely to "hit it off" with people holding similar values. I think.

Just my 2 cents.

I adore the picture, BirdDancer!!! Precious!!!