Dave, I understand the allure of simpler times and I try to live it every day. I love writing for my frugal living topic bc I love having less, using less and wanting less. I really feel it is my mission to help people learn this and find joy in basic living.

Thanks for sharing your story about pushing aside the furniture and just dancing the night away. I love it!

Debbie and Jilly,

Having a friend leave us is never easy to cope with -- yet if we can remember the good things that friend gave us and forget any negative issues, then they are still with us in spirit in a good way.

I have one friend who is rare and I treasure our friendship. He is my twin soul and when I was able to let go of the attachment I had with him I found a true friend with him. He taught me to just walk the intended path in life in harmony and balance. I do at times have issues, like trying to find a way to forgive my own transgressions, and we do not talk all the time, yet when we do, it is with respect for each other's path and way of life. This is a different kind of love than what I wanted when my ego and physical self got in the way, but it is a spiritual kind of love that is beyond all earthly desires and eternal.

Every one who comes into our life is a teacher in some way and when friends must part it is best to do so with peace, for there is a purpose that has been fulfilled.

Thanks Phyllis and Jilly. Fortunately I harbor no ill feelings towards my friend. There was no falling out or harsh words, just a backing away of my friend suddenly and we don't talk anymore. It is my friend's wish and so I honor it, and I know in my heart I did nothing wrong and I did not cause my friend any pain. I do miss our connection, but my friend's path must be respected, so I have let go even though I wish it would not be this way.

Dave.....as usual you have given us much to learn and think about. Thank you for your wonderful posts.

I do believe there is happiness in simplicity. When I say that money is the root of all evil, I mean that money is what buys all the technology and other junk everyone thinks they need to survive in this world. Of course we need money to pay our light bill, and that is understandable, but to have to be competitive just to get more money to buy the latest big screen tv, i-pad, smartphone, boat, whatever.....that is just not for me.

I have come a long way in my growth in the last several months and I have come to realize that all of that material ya-ya does not bring me happiness. The simple pleasures are the best and most fulfilling. The good, clean fun of yesteryear is surely missed, because fun was made out of very little, and the happiness and peace ran deep from these great experiences. I know what you mean.

In regards to the points on religion you made, I am lucky in that the Catholic church I attend seems to have a more modern view of life. It is encouraged that we nourish our inner spirit and love others. I feel that what I take away from the homilies go hand in hand with what we all talk about here. I don't find the view in my church restricting or controlling, which is what I need or I would not be attending Mass. I also respect and enjoy the traditions, rituals of the Mass, and the music.

Even so, my spirituality goes beyond my religion and what I gather there to take home with me. I believe in the Great Mother, the power and healing of nature, the afterlife, and many other things. I do not feel controlled, but free to believe in what resonates within me. It is the way we all should be able to live, with a free spirit and free choice.

I must comment though that I notice not all religions offer freedom within their beliefs. Without mentioning a religion in particular, I know of a family where the parents and kids spend almost every day in their church for hours on end. They are taught to not associate with anyone outside of their religion. Because of this, the kids hardly see their grandparents, cannot have friends who are not within their religion, and the kids are taught to preach their beliefs when they go to school.

As much as I respect all religions, I find that one this controlling is not allowing the spirit within to grow and love the way it was intended to. It also breeds animosity towards people of other belief systems. An individual needs to make their own choices based on what is right for them, not be told what they can or cannot do. Love does not bind.

Again I say, there are many ways to live a good life, and that can encompass many belief systems. The Great Mother loves all of her children.

I cannot restate enough times the importance of going within to find our reality. We were shown to do that by the great Mother centuries ago.

She showed us that She was the force down through history that redressed the balance when man overstepped his rule over others. She stayed hidden and let others and their deities claim their victory but she did so for a reason. She showed us things that opposing abusive forces could not see and spoke to us about how to avoid if not defeat their intent.

I like to speak of the softer and gentler things of Her however to speak of them alone is folly. Not every part of her being is so soft or gentle. She will stand against forces that attempt to harm Her own. She can be more cunning and far more ruthless than her foes in dealing with them if needed. She doesn't play by the Marquess of Queensberry rules. She is a MOM.

What was proven to us numerous times in the last centuries was the fact that if you come against Her own you need to indeed be very aware of what you are up against. My Grandmother said to me many times, " Don't be a fool!! Know who you are dealing with inside and out before you act. They, even though few in number, might just have some surprises for you." Man does not usually want to face that realm especially when his darker deeds are exposed. The masses are not stupid these days. Many today are forewarned of coming events and plan accordingly. Be aware and allow your armaments to be envisioned. Physical ones are far more useless than spiritual ones. Perhaps we will never need them but perhaps we will be glad that we have them someday, possibly sooner than later.


People say, "Oh. I don't want to think about that, or you are so negative, or that will never happen. We have such peace and security now!!!"

That is what civilizations have thought since the beginning of time and the sabbath stillness of their sweet serene best wishes have met with peril. I for one am not lulled into a false sense of peace. That is how nations fall from within or without. I love this country and this people too much to watch that happen. Blessed Be

I too am not lulled into a false sense of peace. The dark deeds of man are very evident if we just pay attention to what has been going on around us in the past several years. Yes, we have peace to a degree, but unrest does lie just below the surface. At least I am one who can feel it. I don't believe you are being negative at all, Dave.

I am comforted that we do have the Great Mother on our side. She may have stepped back centuries ago in order to allow us to learn our lessons and to realize what man is really made of, what man is really capable of, so that we can learn how to survive and fight for the good. A good, loving Mom teaches and guides. If we go within She will help us find our answers. Blessed Be.

I agree with both of you, Debbie and Dave. It is easy to get sucked in to the fantasy that there is no problem and all will be well...or if bad things are going to happen it will not be us but somewhere else.

Serious threats to our peace are out there. If we do not do anything about and just sit back and ignore, then we may soon wake up to the unbelievable.

I posted in this thread awhile ago that it is past time to return to the Mother and ask for Her help and guidance. There is a post I put in the Native American forum that is very important and I wish everyone would read it. I will go hop over there and get the link. Be right back.

Here it is:

White Buffalo Teachings by Chief Arvol Looking Horse

I have followed Chief Arvol's messages for a few years and he has a lot to share with the world. I wish everyone would listen to him.

Phyllis, This man is a relative of ours!!! He has the facts!!! Without the watchers and seers in each culture man would destroy himself. In my culture we had select people that were called prophet/prophetesses. They were given those recognitions only by seeing a situation correctly and speaking words of life over people that indeed saved them from some dire situations. A true seer or prophet was one who spoke of an event and that event came true. This man is one who speaks the truth. I still remember some old words from when I was really young. This is one version that I found that pretty well sums it up for everyone. "Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide. In the strife with truth or falsehood for the good or evil side. One great cause our new decision offering each bloom or blight. and the choice goes on forever twix the darkness and the light." We have choices. Thanks for the words of such a great man Phyllis!! dave

Phyllis.....thank you for posting that wonderful article. There is so much value there if we take the time to understand the Chief's words. A very wise man indeed, and it would serve us well to take his words to heart.