Desert Messenger

12 www.DesertMessenger.com May 4, 2016 "To succeed, you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you." ~ Tony Dorsett It's the little things that give me JOY: the first cup of coffee in the morning that gets me out of bed; watching the sun rise above the mountains and creep slowly and gracefully across the desert; the multitude of bunnies and birds eat- ing the bread crumbs in my yard; the appreciation of nature when walking in the desert just outside my front door; the distant moun- tains at sunset: first pink then fading to tan and gray; the content- ment I feel while having afternoon tea on my porch; the glorious sunsets with their neon-bright colors: each one an original sky painting; reading a favorite author before my nap and before bed (the nap itself!); and of course, DANC- ING! And all of the above are free -- mostly. When we are young, we seek happiness through material things (e.g., our first car, new clothes), but THINGS only bring temporary happiness, and soon we must have something new. The fact is, you can only buy temporary happi- ness. True and lasting happiness is INSIDE of us. Art Buchwald says it all: "The best things in life are not things." And have you noticed, older people are very busy getting rid of all those things and seeking a simpler life? They have learned the meaning of the phrase, "Less is More." The film "My Dinner with Andre" depicts this very well. Two men are sitting at a table. One rattles on about his extensive travel, his new car, his big home, etc. When asked what makes him happy, the other replies something like, "Well, you know, if I wake up in the morning and yesterday's coffee cup is still half full, and there are no flies on the muffins, I'm a happy man." And that brings to mind one of my favorite quotes: "Those who know they have enough are rich" ~Lao Tze. The Peace Pilgrim is my spiritual guide, and I speak about her when I travel. I carry her little booklet "Steps toward Inner Peace" with me and give them to anyone who is seeking enlightenment. (Ask me for one next time you see me.) The Peace Pilgrim said many wise things, but the most important one, I think, is to "live on a NEED rather than a WANT basis." Just think how different our world would be if we all did that! ~*~*~*~ You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen; simply wait. Do not even wait; be quite still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet. ~Franz Kafka ~*~*~*~*~ Jane's book is WANDERINGS: Liv- ing the Ordinary Extraordinarily (Stories from the Road). For an update on Jane's travels and writ- ing, visit her website (janefinley. com) and/or read "Traveling with Gypsy Jane" and "Poems from the Road" in The Desert Messenger (desertmessenger.com) begin- ning March 5, 2014. (contact: janefinley@yahoo,com) Traveling with Gypsy Jane by Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretching, exercise, relaxation, meditation) It's the little things Quartzsite 2/6/16 WELDING & FABRICATION REPAIR Forbes Enterprises Mobile Services Available Mon-Sat. 9-5 Sunday by Appointment Call Arnold at 602-736-7833 NCCR Certified Linda Cushman is a Board Certified Master Aesthetician • Microdermabrasion • Chemical Peels • Facials • Waxing • Customized Services • Professional Skin Care Products • MANIS & PEDIS OPEN YEAR ROUND! S KIN C ARE Linda Marie's 250 East Main Street #3 202-430-4924 *WITH COUPON. Products not included. Expires May 30, 2016 10% OFF SERVICES * COUPON 431 E. Main Street, Quartzsite 928-927-7900 QuartzsiteChiro.com Jennifer Maltby, D.C. Open Year-Round NEW HOURS: Monday & Thursday 9am-12pm, 1pm-3pm Chiropractic Care Now Open in Quartzsite! 928-916-9812 RV ROOF COATING FREE Estimate Very Reasonable! 1YR FREE Service w/Roof Call Bob

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