A Good Life
...s which directly or indirectly result from the use of such things.” Thoreau did not spend countless hours obtaining futile luxuries. He cultivated a small garden of vegetables, which provided him with most of his food. He wore inexpensive but durable clothing. For shelter, he built a simple, comfortable cabin for $28.121/2, and he collected his fuel, free, from the wood side. Thoreau found that a man could work for a few weeks and support himself the whole year. I agree with Thoreau’s view of a good life. “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand.... Simplify, simplify.” If you simplify your life, become self-sufficient, and acquire only what is necessary, you will not have to worry about losing your riches. Simplicity will not fetter you to luxuries such as utility bills, car notes, and credit card debts. Although the simply life will leave you free of worries, it may not seem to be a simpler task to gather fire wood, and cultivate food as opposed to paying utility bills, and grocery shopping. At the end of the day, however you have more time for self-reflection. Not only do you have more time, but you also have peace of mind knowing your riches are secure. Building your home and buying inexpensive clothing will also bring you peace of mind knowing you are not falling in debt trying to keep up with the latest trends. Along with the physical necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and fuel, it is also necessary to obtain some variety of intellectual and spiritual wellness. To secure intellectual wellness, all one needs is to look within. There are “continents and seas i...