Living the American Simple Life   by Arleen M. Kaptur

Living the American Simple Life By: Arleen M. Kaptur

Fast cars, mega homes and bank accounts that groan under the weight of the cash they hold seem to be the criteria for the American Dream. Many live it, and many more would like to. But there is a trend toward simplying the life we lead - trying to make ends meet, while having a little bit of time for family togetherness, hobbies, or a walk in the woods.

The American Simple Life is not a particular style of home, or even a certain brand of car. It is a mindset that is available to all - no matter the gender, age, or marital status. It is basically living with your heart, and listening to your intuition. Now I believe that some skeptics have answered roll call. Heart living is not possible in an economy that requires everyone to outdo their co-employees, make sure the bottom line is quite substantial, while trying to appear as humble and meek as possible. As for intuition, that is for soothsayers, and religious fanatics that hear voices, or are given signs written in stone. If you believe these statements, then you are so wrong on both counts.

As human beings, we are heart oriented to begin with. We use our minds to advance in life, raise families, take care of everyday business, and make sure that the nest egg when we retire is substantially able to let us try and revive the "golden age of retirement" that our grandparents knew. Heart is left for family reunions, and special occasions. But the heart is and has been the one organ in our body that will tell us the truth as to who we really are and what we truly believe in. If your mind told you to work 60 hours a week, and your heart told you that your son would find it awesome if you went to a soccer game with him, then I'm sure the real you would take a step forward. In your heart is your essence or your identity that makes you different from everyone else and yet makes you a vital part of the human race. Your mind tries to get in between you and the real issues in your life that are meaning- ful. Your mind is academic and fact-finding while your heart is sincere and caring. Which you choose and how regularly you let your heart shine through is totally up to you, but time and especially present time is all that life will offer you at any given moment. When you make a decision, based on your heart, the feeling of fulfillment with your choice will definitely be there. When your mind tells you otherwise, your ego is just showing signs of being bruised but when the count is down, taking that leap into the unknown or deciding for your family instead of over-time will be well worth the few moments of hysterical tantrum that your mind will try and muster. No one is saying that providing for yourself or your family is not an issue in your life. Of course it is, but there has to be "balance" and this is the key-word of the American Simple Life. Balance will let you sleep at night as well as bring you to tears from the laughter and the joy that you experience as well as what you extend to others.

Now for intuition - we all have it but very few of us actually let it grow and thrive. Some view intuition as the mainstay for those with too much time on their hands or even for those whose mental attitudes need a bit of adjustment. Intuition is a part of everyone's make-up because you were not given a user's manual when you were born so the powers that be had to give you some kind of reference material to check with every now and then - when problems got a bit too much, life started crowding in, or the day was just a bad one to begin with. It is not necessarily voices calling in the desert, but it can be a nagging nudge that just doesn't quit. Try and you might to change the topics running rampant in your cranial, intuition will just come through time and time again. If you just "listen" instead of trying to crowd it out with louder music or more violent TV shows, the inroads into your future will be much brighter and the stars in the heavens will count on your brightness for a bit. Intuition is not for the weak, and only the strong and determined have the strength to quiet their minds and let intuition have its say. Then the decision on whether to listen or not is entirely up to you and your free will. There is no wooden club hanging over your head or intuition doesn't get offended and cause chaos. It just had its say and now returns until it is needed again. The American Simple Life is just that - a simple way to find the truth about yourself as well as where you are headed. A little help from your built-in components is never in vain. Arleen M. Kaptur ©February, 2007

About the Author

Arleen is the owner of A & J Northwoods Gifts, a gourmet gift, food, and book shop. She has written numerous articles and stories about living life abundantly and enjoying every minute of it.

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