Years ago, we watched a documentary on the Appalachian people. The film was called, "The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia." I cannot recall all the details, but I remember there was a minister who handled snakes in his church services, the people were very poor, and the pictures were amazing.
And one scene that made an impression on me.
The photographer asked one of the men, "What do you do all day?" to which the man replied in his slow, lazy drawl, "Nuthin." Somehow, I believed him, for the "nuthin'" was evident when looking at his surroundings and home condition.
It stuck - that word - that concept - that idea - that "nuthin' "!
It seems like for the majority of people, there is always plenty to do. In fact, there is usually way too much to do... ...
House repairs
Meals
Cleaning
Laundry
Church
School
Sports
Vehicle upkeep
Animals to feed
Shopping
Charity work
Exercising
Current Events
And the list can go on & on
And I haven't even mentioned going to work to make a living!
I often think about that Appalachian man and wonder what it would be like to do nuthin' all day?
And that thought leads me to wonder how I would feel about myself after that day of doing nuthin'?
How would others feel about me if I did nuthin'?
What does that really look like? To do nuthin'?
I must admit that I am tempted to find out!
The crazy rat race that we get ourselves into can have us speeding at such a high rate that we cannot pull off the track to refuel.
Around and around we go!
And after awhile, we are not enjoying the scenery nor can we slow down enough to take an exit ramp!
We whiz by Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, January, April, June, 2010, 2011, 2013!
Gone! They are gone! Never to be seen again!
And what took place on those days that made an eternal difference?
Who knows?
We were so busy hanging on for dear life and trying to pass the car ahead of us!
Well, I am tired of racing with the rats!
The emergency break is being applied, I am looking for the exit sign that reads, "Nuthin'ville" and I am taking it!
When I arrive, I am going to sit in a big rocking chair with a thick cushion,
read a book, listen to the birds and the rippling brook. Watch the green leaves of the mighty oak tree sway in the peaceful breeze, smell the honeysuckle that is growing right beside the quaint wooden porch that I am doing nuthin' on. I will watch the sun sink below the horizon and the stars come to life in the night sky. The peepers will serenade me while I rest my head back, close my eyes and dream happy, peaceful dreams.
And then....
reality will hit!
In Nuthin'ville, the stomach rumbles,
the weeds overtake the landscape
the rocker breaks
the book comes to an end
the leaves fall off the tree
the skunks move in under the porch
self worth grows cheap
and our bodies grow weak
and we start losing our minds
Now what?
Yes, now what?
Have to get back in the race and look for a different exit sign.
One that is between "High-speed" and "Nuthin'ville"
When I find it, I will send you a postcard!
Until next time from my pit stop..........
