Henry David Thoreau lived in his small cabin on Walden Pond for two years, two months, and two days. He called this time an “experiment in living.” His goal was to find a simpler, more honest, and purer life. Walden, published in 1854, was the written legacy and manifesto that resulted from those two years, two months, and two days.

Two years, two months, and two days ago I moved from living in a small town to country living. Unlike Thoreau, I didn’t move to find a simpler, more honest, and purer life — I moved because economically it made sense. I couldn’t afford to live in the house in town. I moved because I felt I had no choice. I moved reluctantly.

Two years, two months, and two days later, it was the best thing I could have done. My life is now simpler, more honest, and purer.

Sometimes we do things because we feel like we don’t have any other option.
Sometimes we aren’t smart (wise) enough to see the future benefit of that action.
Sometimes our reluctant actions pleasantly surprise us.

I knew within six to nine months that I had made a good choice.
Seeing the silver lining didn’t take me two years, two months, and two days.

Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the example Thoreau set almost one hundred and sixty years ago.

My life is now simpler, more honest, and more pure.

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Next Blog Date: July 19, 2012

Steve Weber is a speaker, Forrest Gump tribute artist, facilitator, blogger, and author. The three principles of Gumption are specifically designed to get you (and your team) to Function with Gumption. Steve uses the simple, yet powerful, life lessons from the movie Forrest Gump to bring positivity back into the workplace. Learn more at SpeakingGump.com.