Live Free
- November 2012
- Simple Living
When I was a kid, there were a few books around the house that I read and re-read, just because they were always there. One was Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. Another was a collection of Aesop’s Fables. I haven’t thought about those stories in a long time.
But today I was thinking about the importance of freedom, which is something I think about a lot. For me, freedom matters more than almost anything and that has made most of my choices (relatively) easy to follow.
Not everyone has the same ultimate priority. But understanding what matters most to you can help you navigate the twists and turns of life, always so full of decision and choice and uncertainty.
(Somewhat unrelated, Cajun’s collar is for her name tag. We’re not so into leashes.)
The Aesop’s Fable of the Wolf and the Dog
A hungry wolf met a fat dog in the forest.
“You look so well-fed,” said the wolf. “Where are you finding food? I’ve looked for days and can’t find even a mouse to eat.”
The dog replied, “Finding food is no problem. My master feeds me. He gives me the choicest cuts of meat every night. Plus he provides a warm and dry place to sleep.”
“But what’s that red mark around your neck?” said the wolf. “The skin is raw, and the fur is worn away.”
“Oh, that’s where my chain chafes my skin and rubs the fur off my neck. My master keeps me chained up,” the dog said. “Today I was able to break free, but now that it’s dinnertime, I’m going back. Why don’t you join me? There’s plenty to eat.”
“No thanks,” said the wolf. “I’d rather starve than be kept on a chain.”
Great post Steph. It’s really an ironic word, “Freedom”. We are free to do what we want with our lives in this country, but how many of us actually take advantage of it? The word “Freedom” should be replaced with “Happiness”.
Hey Miss Davis, i’m a longtime follower of your blog and i’ve never post before but as everyone i’m fan of your lifestyle and choices… Today i react to this post because it make me think about my life. I’m a student in medecine school in France (désolé pour mon mauvais anglais), and i might be graduaded in something like 7 years or maybe more (in France you need to learn about 10 year to become doctor). And i feel as if i was following a line for about 6 years and thinking about run away from this lifestyle to live something more true. This story about the wolf and the fat dog is basic in the good way and i don’t know what i’m going to do for the next years but i think i’m going to think about it for a long time.
Thanks for being what you are and living the way you choose, you could be take as an example for a lot of people ‘who just exist and don’t live’. Keep safe and go on make us dream.
Hey Oward, your message for Steph is really interesting. Steph is so inspiring, and choosing to live your life in the way she does is amazing. But if I remember (and correct me if Im wrong) didnt she spend quite a while studying to get her masters degree? And did this at the same time as climbing? I sometimes think its hard to work through a long study project, but maybe try and use climbing and the lessons it teaches us to enhance the other things in our life. Being a doctor is also an incredible achievement! I would love to embark on that, I think you’re really lucky! Anyway, just a thought. Best. Claudia. x
Hey Oward and Claudia! I feel the same, as I am sure many people do. I have worked extremely hard as an undergrad student and it did effect my climbing and play time. Now I am on the cusp of attending law school and I worry that it may be the wrong decision. I don’t think I will be sure until I get there, but I think what Claudia says is true, you can find ways to balance these things and they will enhance your other life choices. I think its great that such adventure-minded people are in the ranks of doctors and lawyers; good hearted people who appreciate other ways to live, I feel are not in these professions just for the money. I want to make an impact on the world and my community as an immigration and human rights lawyer, but I also think we need to find time to take care of ourselves. Climbing and other outdoor adventures can be such a great way to do that. And thanks Steph for sharing your life stories. They inspire many of us.
That is an awesome story… thanks for sharing.
Thanks for writing Oward, and good luck with your decisions!
yes 🙂
I did get a master’s, and my brother is a doctor….I agree with you, learning is the best thing we get to do.
It is all about balance 🙂
good food for thought!