I’m fairly new to Substack so will respond to you and Andrew in one place.
First of all, beautifully written piece on your part. Overall, as I get older I continue to be even more amazed by the life and words of Jesus…and I don’t mean the religion that was built by humans in his name.
I used to blog a lot on that topic. Maybe need to start again. Kinda got tired of the religious zealots though.
I find that the people here are readers, not skimmers, unlike LinkedIn.
It sounds like you’ve got a lot of valuable perspectives to share. The world always needs more reflections on the message itself, rather than the human interpretations.
You’re onto something John; it’s ever a balance. I used to think of it as a pyramid - let’s go climb it Maslow. But now my legs are a little tired and I think it’s more like a meadow where you need to feel free to do what you want, capable and competent enough to pull it off and you’re connected to a tribe that you want to do it with.
Spent my day caregiving today, and having some pretty deep conversation about capitalism from the perspective of being on the wrong side of what capitalism has done to the world. And about how just being at the effect of this thing called life-ing can bite us and fracture our balance and connection with the people nearest and dearest to us. And about how to stay grounded, grateful and hopeful.
At the end of that day, I opened up your post. I hope that after hearing about my day, you can understand why I’m particularly grateful you chose to write it and share it.
It is exactly what I needed to read in this moment. Thank you Neela! May the universe reward you for it this week!
Caregiving is one of the most honest relationships we have with what actually matters, and it sounds like your conversations today touched something real. I'm grateful the essay resonated Leni. Thank you very much for sharing and for taking the time.
Wonderful as always Neela. Thank you. I reckon one of the qualities of wisdom is being able to see the real situation, be simple, and say it. You have that. (Now I may ask your husband if you have it all the time...but 'cause I know the answer I won't bother 🙂) Also...I LOVE your definition of love..."means people who see you clearly and stick around anyway". I plan to steal it for my own use. I hope that is OK. Seriously Neela, reading your articles is like a cool drink on a hot day...wonderful. Thank you.
I also love what you said about wisdom - it really is about clarity and simplicity, even if it’s not always easy. And you have my permission to steal that line on love. What’s your favorite drink to have on a hot day?
Thanks Neela. Simple, cold...Aussie beer. More the chance to sit, ponder and the first sip....Ahhhhhhhhh. It is more the favourite because it means the "work" of the day is over and it is time to chill. Needless to say, we get a lot. a lot of hot days here.
So many quotable gems in this. The one that resonated the most: But the strangest part of modern life isn’t just that we’re struggling. It’s that we’re struggling in a world that keeps telling us we have more freedom than ever."
I love your definition of the good life: enough. Learning to define that by one's own standards is an education itself.
Love this piece. Thank you for writing. Also fun to see some of your Trinidad pics.
It’s a good life when you can afford devices which bring you closer to minds who think, write, and create without the trap of commercialism.
You’ve summed it beautifully and I might be increasingly one of the small bucket of people that your dad belongs to for who the good life is being left alone.
And given the state of affairs maybe each day we get any life seems like a cause for celebration, good or not.
There’s a lot of truth in that last line, sis. When the world feels uncertain, the definition of a good life comes down to something more immediate: a day, a conversation, a quiet corner to think - even my squirrels.
I think you've distilled that down to the essence quite well. The good life really is about having enough, so you don't have to worry. Of course everyone has a different idea of what's enough for them. For me, I think I'm pretty much there. I'm happy with what I have, even though it's very different from what those around me have. And sometimes I let myself compare myself to others and that's when doubt creeps in. But if I just focus on what I truly want, I'm pretty happy right where I am 😊
It makes me sad to see what's become of California. I'm a 5th-generation San Franciscan (grew up in the East Bay), and the Bay Area was just where I lived. Not the tech hub of the world with insane housing prices. I'm so content in the foothills of the Sierras now. Quiet, not crowded, no one cares what I wear to run errands.
The striving is exhausting. My husband and I chased it all. Bigger house, ski boat, the cars, blah, blah, blah. Then I tried to keep it up after I lost him in a car accident (a long time ago). Eventually sold the house, downsized, left California, experienced life in Costa Rica... and now?
My life consists of so very little 'stuff'... and I've never been at more peace.
Capitalism keeps selling us back the things we have for free. And fuck their goalposts.
All I want is work I love (check), time with family & friends (family of course includes my dog), good health, and experiences that bring me joy.
My life is simpler than it's ever been, and I've never been more content.
*And prophet as a personality trait? Idiots.
My phone 'sent from' says "Sent from Hogwarts, via Owl." And I couldn't care less what people think of it.
I can only imagine moving from NYC to Southern CA. There is so much bullshit in Southern CA. I wish I could say SF was different - but it’s just a different kind of bullshit. It’s not “the city” I grew up going to when we visited my grandparents.
My daughter has been in LA about 8 yrs and hates it (looking at getting back to SF before leaving the country for grad school in a year & a half).
Love your definition. Exactly. Enough money to sleep well, enough time to think and dwell, and a few people who truly see you. That’s really all there is. I love your writing, Neela.
I don't know who said it, and I'm too lazy to verify, but something about happiness/contentment arriving once you have no desires. I get that. I also get that you need some sort of goal to work toward, but not to hang every bit of your happiness on. But I suppose, balance :)
Being content is a lifelong challenge. The definition gets simpler as we get older but often harder to obtain.
Happy Tuesday John
Getting older really is a long lesson in wanting less.
I take it day by day.
Nature makes it easier.
Thank you for taking the time John.
I’m fairly new to Substack so will respond to you and Andrew in one place.
First of all, beautifully written piece on your part. Overall, as I get older I continue to be even more amazed by the life and words of Jesus…and I don’t mean the religion that was built by humans in his name.
I used to blog a lot on that topic. Maybe need to start again. Kinda got tired of the religious zealots though.
I hope you enjoy Substack, John.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback.
I find that the people here are readers, not skimmers, unlike LinkedIn.
It sounds like you’ve got a lot of valuable perspectives to share. The world always needs more reflections on the message itself, rather than the human interpretations.
You’re onto something John; it’s ever a balance. I used to think of it as a pyramid - let’s go climb it Maslow. But now my legs are a little tired and I think it’s more like a meadow where you need to feel free to do what you want, capable and competent enough to pull it off and you’re connected to a tribe that you want to do it with.
The good life for me is, enough water to stay hydrated, coconut oil for smooth skin and E' being a toddler for a little bit longer. .
P.s.Y'all doesn't look a day past 35 in the picture.
Coconut oil and a toddler who hasn't discovered attitude yet - that IS the good life. (And thank you for the kind words about the photo, sis.
I'll pass that along to the other 2 :)
I appreciate you.
Spent my day caregiving today, and having some pretty deep conversation about capitalism from the perspective of being on the wrong side of what capitalism has done to the world. And about how just being at the effect of this thing called life-ing can bite us and fracture our balance and connection with the people nearest and dearest to us. And about how to stay grounded, grateful and hopeful.
At the end of that day, I opened up your post. I hope that after hearing about my day, you can understand why I’m particularly grateful you chose to write it and share it.
It is exactly what I needed to read in this moment. Thank you Neela! May the universe reward you for it this week!
Happy Wednesday Leni
I understand 100%.
Caregiving is one of the most honest relationships we have with what actually matters, and it sounds like your conversations today touched something real. I'm grateful the essay resonated Leni. Thank you very much for sharing and for taking the time.
Woo-peddlers made me laugh.
Dad is wise.
I agree about identifying howxto go about simplifying what is the good life.
Happy Thursday Michael
Right?
Once you strip away all the noise, the ‘good life’ ideas get surprisingly simple but not always easy to follow :(
Wonderful as always Neela. Thank you. I reckon one of the qualities of wisdom is being able to see the real situation, be simple, and say it. You have that. (Now I may ask your husband if you have it all the time...but 'cause I know the answer I won't bother 🙂) Also...I LOVE your definition of love..."means people who see you clearly and stick around anyway". I plan to steal it for my own use. I hope that is OK. Seriously Neela, reading your articles is like a cool drink on a hot day...wonderful. Thank you.
Happy Friday Ian
I LOVE Fridays.
I also love what you said about wisdom - it really is about clarity and simplicity, even if it’s not always easy. And you have my permission to steal that line on love. What’s your favorite drink to have on a hot day?
Thank you for taking the time, Ian.
Thanks Neela. Simple, cold...Aussie beer. More the chance to sit, ponder and the first sip....Ahhhhhhhhh. It is more the favourite because it means the "work" of the day is over and it is time to chill. Needless to say, we get a lot. a lot of hot days here.
Nice Ian
I like your style and way of thinking.
It is EXTREMELY hot in California.
It is not like Cali to be this hot. We are breaking plenty of records.
I am drinking plenty of cold beers :)
cheers my friend.
Im smiling big and feeling light after reading this fascinating crisp piece, Neela❤️
Mission accomplished then 😄
I hope you are having a good week, Sue.
Thank you so much for taking the time :)
Wonderful read. So worthy of my heart n time🙏
Thoughtful, honest, and well-written, exactly what Substack if for. Thank you so much.
Oh Mary.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate you.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week.
So many quotable gems in this. The one that resonated the most: But the strangest part of modern life isn’t just that we’re struggling. It’s that we’re struggling in a world that keeps telling us we have more freedom than ever."
I love your definition of the good life: enough. Learning to define that by one's own standards is an education itself.
Love this piece. Thank you for writing. Also fun to see some of your Trinidad pics.
Really appreciate this, Karen.
‘Enough’ has been such a grounding idea for me lately. It’s also my word for the year.
Simple, but not always easy to live by.
I had so much fun in Trini.
Cannot wait to go back next year.
It’s a good life when you can afford devices which bring you closer to minds who think, write, and create without the trap of commercialism.
You’ve summed it beautifully and I might be increasingly one of the small bucket of people that your dad belongs to for who the good life is being left alone.
And given the state of affairs maybe each day we get any life seems like a cause for celebration, good or not.
There’s a lot of truth in that last line, sis. When the world feels uncertain, the definition of a good life comes down to something more immediate: a day, a conversation, a quiet corner to think - even my squirrels.
I always appreciate you taking the time :)
Great article. Sharp, funny, and deeply true. I especially loved your ending. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Denise
How are you?
Thank you for the feedback and for taking the time :)
I’m doing well and you’re welcome!
I think you've distilled that down to the essence quite well. The good life really is about having enough, so you don't have to worry. Of course everyone has a different idea of what's enough for them. For me, I think I'm pretty much there. I'm happy with what I have, even though it's very different from what those around me have. And sometimes I let myself compare myself to others and that's when doubt creeps in. But if I just focus on what I truly want, I'm pretty happy right where I am 😊
Happy New Week, Sophie
That’s a great perspective. The comparison trap is real, but it sounds like you’ve found a pretty grounded definition of “enough.”
Did you have a good weekend?
Thank you very much for taking the time
I agree with your dad, being alone and doing what you love. Can’t wait for that good life to come into existence.
He would be happy to hear that.
I think the good life tends to show up slowly, usually while we’re busy doing the things we actually love.
Thank you for taking the time, Bin.
ALL of this!
It makes me sad to see what's become of California. I'm a 5th-generation San Franciscan (grew up in the East Bay), and the Bay Area was just where I lived. Not the tech hub of the world with insane housing prices. I'm so content in the foothills of the Sierras now. Quiet, not crowded, no one cares what I wear to run errands.
The striving is exhausting. My husband and I chased it all. Bigger house, ski boat, the cars, blah, blah, blah. Then I tried to keep it up after I lost him in a car accident (a long time ago). Eventually sold the house, downsized, left California, experienced life in Costa Rica... and now?
My life consists of so very little 'stuff'... and I've never been at more peace.
Capitalism keeps selling us back the things we have for free. And fuck their goalposts.
All I want is work I love (check), time with family & friends (family of course includes my dog), good health, and experiences that bring me joy.
My life is simpler than it's ever been, and I've never been more content.
*And prophet as a personality trait? Idiots.
My phone 'sent from' says "Sent from Hogwarts, via Owl." And I couldn't care less what people think of it.
Thank you, Kim.
It was interesting coming from NYC to Cali
You would think it would be more competitive and materialistic there, but it's not.
Orange County is the capital of moving goal posts, and I stick out like a sore thumb.
I no longer give a fuck.
Cheers to having less "stuff."
It really comes down to everything I highlighted. Good health, too.
I love you and I appreciate you taking the time.
Love you too!
I can only imagine moving from NYC to Southern CA. There is so much bullshit in Southern CA. I wish I could say SF was different - but it’s just a different kind of bullshit. It’s not “the city” I grew up going to when we visited my grandparents.
My daughter has been in LA about 8 yrs and hates it (looking at getting back to SF before leaving the country for grad school in a year & a half).
Anytime I’m down there it does my head in, lol.
Here’s to a simple, joy-filled life full of love.
We avoid LA like the plague 😂
So I understand how she feels.
Cheers to the simple life 🤗
Excellent piece and beautifully written.
And agree with every word
Ohhhhh, thank you so much, Lyndon.
I appreciate you taking the time.
Love your definition. Exactly. Enough money to sleep well, enough time to think and dwell, and a few people who truly see you. That’s really all there is. I love your writing, Neela.
Happy Thursday, Gayle
With small variations here and there, that’s all you really need.
Thank you for taking the time.
I don't know who said it, and I'm too lazy to verify, but something about happiness/contentment arriving once you have no desires. I get that. I also get that you need some sort of goal to work toward, but not to hang every bit of your happiness on. But I suppose, balance :)
It’s one of those days that I don’t feel like doing much yet there is so much to do lol
That idea pops up in a lot of places - Buddhism, Stoicism, Taoism.
seems like this is an ongoing problem bro hahahaha
Thank you for taking the time.