Writing a book and gaining an amount of public exposure because of it has been rewarding but also had a down side. The down side is that I don't enjoy the public recognition but one of the rewards is that I meet people I otherwise would never meet. A while back my editor and friend Jo Rosenberg told me about a couple she and her husband Eli know. They were about to set off on a trip to cycle up the east coast of Australia and proposed writing a book about the journey - a journey where they spoke to people who were living simple lives. She wanted to know if she could give them my contact details and eventually meet them. The trip was far off into the future. "Sure," I said, thinking it was so far off I didn't have to think about it.
They arrived Sunday evening.
Greg and Soph are the kind of young people that make me feel optimistic about the future. They're articulate and engaging and have a hint of uncertainty that smart young people usually have that I always find endearing. They told me they're on their journey to talk to people who are living simple lives but like all of us they're on a self-discovery journey as well. Many of us say that we have no like-minded friends or community to tap into, too few mentors and real life role models. Greg and Soph are bypassing that problem by travelling around, in a very low impact way, to meet people they can talk to and see first hand, how distinct and effective all these simple lives are.
It is a pleasure to meet young people who are respectful but also treat you as a contemporary. They asked a lot of questions but also shared some of their own views and dreams. They have so much ahead of them that it makes me a bit nervous to think of it. When I look back and see all that has happened in my lifetime I wonder what they'll face, along with my own children and grandchildren, and how they'll deal with it all. One thing is for sure, having more books and blogs about how we all live will help enable others to see this as an achievable sustainable life choice. The combination of more information, combined knowledge and guidance is always a good thing.
We invited them to stay the night so we had time to talk over dinner and again in the morning. And then they were off - cycling to Cairns, another 2000kms, dodging cars and trucks, looking for the good life. It is out there, we all know it is, so if you see them in your town north of here, offer them a drink, a meal or let them put their tent up in your backyard. Like all of us, they're working to a budget.
If you can suggest people they should meet or places you think they should visit, drop them an email here simplelivessuggestions@gmail.com. To read about them and find out more about the trip, you'll find them here at their blog - http://simplelives.com.au
If you can suggest people they should meet or places you think they should visit, drop them an email here simplelivessuggestions@gmail.com. To read about them and find out more about the trip, you'll find them here at their blog - http://simplelives.com.au
