Spread Thin~

In dwelling, live close to the ground.  In thinking, keep to the simple.  In conflict be fair and generous.  In governing, don't try to control.  In work, do what you enjoy.  In family life, be completely present.  ~ Tao te Ching
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I think this is a really powerful saying.  I especially love the parts about dwelling and family life.  In dwelling, live close to the ground.  In this day and age, it is very difficult to live close to the ground.  We are VERY far removed from the sources of our food, in most cases, we don't know where it comes from, or what they put in it.  The majority of us don't farm, or grow our own food.  Most of us don't have the time, or the inclination to worry with it.  Even as recently as 100 years ago, most people grew the majority of their own food.  They went to bed with the chickens and got up with them, because they didn't have the luxury of electric lights.  They worked with their own hands, and lived close to the ground.  This goes hand in hand with the last part of this saying.  In family life, be completely present.  We have so many things pulling us so many different directions these days, that in most cases we can never BE completely present anywhere, much less with our families.  School, work, sports, activities, shopping, movies, tv, events, etc. , etc., the list goes on and on.  We don't eat dinner together, or have an afternoon at home where everyone is together. Usually , if you have more than one child, you are probably going in TWO separate directions for TWO different events, or sports.  We stay up way into the night, and sometimes sleep way past sunrise.  We eat fast food, pre - prepared, pre-packaged, and pre- medicated.  We've just got to have that bigger house, newer car, and better clothes.  And because of all this, we don't have the time or the energy to be COMPLETELY present at ANY of these activities!  We want to do it all, have it all, and be it all, and our lives end up LESS fulfilling as a result.  Maybe it 's time we re- evaluate and see if some of these things could be let go, in order that we might live a little closer to the ground, and be completely present in our family life.  I'm going to try to measure my priorities all week, and see how I can be more present , in all areas of my life!