There are certain costs to affluence. One of them is that people can afford all sorts of gadgets and play things. Another is the increase in societal depression expressed not just in the emotional state itself but also in various side effects such as over eating and/or drinking and over sitting.
Possibly fewer homes have front porches these days but you can grasp the concept. There was a time when sitting on the front porch and watching the day begin or end was entertainment. Now, we seem to need some sort of electronic device to enhance our lives.
What happens when we have forgotten to charge the cell phone, iPad, computer, various batteries etc., and the electricity fails? The earth does not stop turning, or fall apart, even if it feels that way. Suddenly, we have to resort to other modes, maybe even our imaginations. Imagine now the shock and look on our faces when confronted with having to access our inner resources.
In my opinion, it’s not a bad thing when our lives are thus shaken. It forces us to tap into systems that we may not usually use, like actually having a conversation, or sitting down to a meal with family, reading a book, taking a walk, or even sitting on the front porch.
That’s what rocking chairs are for: sitting, wherever, but one of the best places is on the front porch, watching the world go by.
Finding the Tiger 