I first discovered Sophy Burnham when I read her book, The Art of Intuition. Her writing so often reminds me of the mysterious, miraculous, invisible weave that unites our ordinary, extraordinary lives.
I’ve been thinking about the meaning of life. It’s the kind of monumental question I used to worry like a terrier with a toy when I was young and that I don’t have time for now that I’m older. But occasionally the question arises: Do we make meaning out of a human need for order and control, or is there an underlying Force working things out in Its own way? I‘ve experienced moments (so many!) when it seems that something–spirit guides, angels, some invisible energy–must be crimping Time deliberately to formulate coincidences.
I remember once being invited to have lunch in Manhattan on the same day that I had
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zen crunch 
I’ve been catching up on your blog and love this re-post by Burnham, but I was also surprised by the post about Rick Steves because I’d heard he was giving a talk about the marijuana bill, and I didn’t get what he had to do with politics (like you said). However, your post was fascinating and makes so much sense. Lastly … about Europeans earning less but vacationing more … any advice about how to do this in contemporary American culture where rent/mortgage has to be paid, etcetera, etcetera? Is there a way to live more simply and with more satisfaction without having to go totally “off grid” and miles from a coffee shop? 🙂
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They have to pay rent/mortgage in Europe too. I think income inequality is not so great there — plus they have health care, child care, and education is not so costly (university is free in Germany), benefits not universally available here. Their long vacations are structured into the system because of what they value — values I’d love to import (at least some of them). As for simplicity and satisfaction — I don’t believe I could find either living “off grid.” I need coffee shops and cafes. Plus the other amenities of urban life. I look for quiet in city parks and walking along tree-lined streets. Your question is grist for the mill — what gives satisfaction in the place(s) where we are, and how do we bring simplicity to our current life circumstances?
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