in other words
may5
2016
Small Town, Big World: Home Sweet Home
By Britt Benson-Steele
This month, “Small Town Big
World” is a reminder that whether we go
somewhere or stay put, there are things
for which to be grateful for. As Rumi,
the 14th century poet says so memorably,
“Wherever you are, be the soul of that
place.”
After living overseas for a
culmination of years, spending time
in India, Thailand, and Indonesia for
extended periods of time, I have come
to realize that wherever I go, there I’ll
be. The grass, in fact, is not greener on
the other side. It’s just a different shade.
Some things may be better. Some things
are worse. Some things are definitely
easier but some things are harder. That’s
just the way it is.
So why do we go “away?”
Do we long for something different?
Interesting? Inspiring? Or do we escape
where we are because we’ve created a
life worthy of some sort of escape? I
suppose it’s different for everyone, but it
ra
th Health Se
l Pa
r
bears asking the question.
experienced an unusual wave
When we lived in
of gratitude as I realized, “Oh,
Bali, we hardly ever had to
wow! I don’t have to shuffle
lift a finger. Our laundry was
my feet across the floor here…
done, groceries purchased,
there are no snakes, scorpions,
fruits and veggies washed
nor rats rambling about our
and chopped, beds were
home in the darkness.”
made, meals prepared,
I remember how much I
cleaning was done, and all
loved traveling to the tropics,
of our bills were prepaid
where I could wear flip flops
back in the US so we didn’t
365 days out of the year, sun,
even have to mess with a
eat mangos and hang out on
phone bill. We found ways
the beach…. But I also realize
to busy ourselves and given
how fortunate we are to come
Larry Steele with Nyoman, our Pembantu (housekeeper) after
that we lived there for six
home to this side of the globe,
she just returned from the market with all our produce,
month stints, we discovered
where I can be grateful for my
now washed and ready to chop.
right quick that the same sort
warm, dry, snake-less, rodent-
the sense of landing on US soil, and just
of things we were wanting to somehow
less home, and where I have a car with
how good that feels.
escape back home (too much to do,
doors, and work that I love.
Once, in the middle of the night
not enough time for ourselves, etc.) we
This place, big and small, this
about a week after we returned to the
managed to recreate all the way across
country and this little town, are pretty
United States following our last long-
the world. Wherever we went: there we
darn amazing, and I hope you someday
term trip to Bali, I woke up to get a drink
were
get to travel to some sort of far-away
of water and found myself shuffling my
It is always amazing getting
place, if only so you can come home
feet across the carpet as I moved from the
away… and it is always wonderful
again and realize just how sweet it is.
bedroom to the kitchen. I stopped, stood
coming home. I remember distinctly
still for a moment in the darkness and
OPEN HOUSE
September 6, Noon-6 pm
Receive a $5 off coupon
lo
ca
tio
n!
New Day Massage
and Bodyworks
RIDE INN
ces
vi
Na
tu
ne
w
9
Theraputic Massage Specializing in
• Auto/Work Injury Rehabilitation
• Medical Massage Cupping
• Manual Lymph Drainage
• Nutritional Counseling
• Post Mastectomy Care
• Oncology Support
• Sauna on-site
Dr. Carol McIntyre
Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine
503.429.3928
cccmnd@yahoo.com
naturalpathhealthservices.com
758 Weed Avenue
Vernonia, OR, 97064
Heather Lewis,
LMT, LMP, CLT, NT
NowOpen!•15rooms•Fullyremodeled
900 Madison Avenue, Vernonia
503-429-0637 (c) 503-382-9380 jeromecordell@gmail.com
847 Madison Avenue, Vernonia
For appointments call: 503-429-4677
Insurance accepted
#10732
Bighorn Logging
since 1981
Family Dining
Contract Logging
Full Breakfast Menu
503-324-2422
Burgers & Beer
Prime Rib Fri & Sat
503.429.0214
Free Estimates
Timber Purchases
Timber Management
Check us Out on
Facebook
Oregon Professional Logger certified since 1996
His unwavering committment continues
to bring home positive results for all
Columbia County citizens.
Paid for by the Re-elect Tony Hyde Committee
