Some days down here (and even a few up there) you just need a little inspiration. The Tao Te Ching is my favorite book for this (or the card rack at Whole Foods – but that’s out of reach at this point). I read it again as I was putting my life into storage just before coming here, and then again the other afternoon. Both times Chapter 80 stood out to me, but for vastly different reasons. I think in time, after two years here, and then even some time back home, this little paragraph of a chapter will continue to stand out and change its meaning over and over again. For now it exemplifies the Paraguayan campo.

If a country is governed wisely,
Its inhabitants will be content.
They enjoy the labor of their hands
And don’t waste time inventing
Labor-saving machines.
Since they dearly love their homes,
They aren’t interested in travel.
There may be a few wagons and boats,
But these don’t go anywhere.
There may be an arsenal of weapons,
But nobody ever uses them.
People enjoy their food,
Take pleasure in being with their families,
Spend weekends working in their gardens,
Delight in the doings of the neighborhood.
And even though the next country is so close
That people can hear its roosters crowing and
It’s dogs barking,
They are content to die of old age
Without ever having gone to see it.

Paz

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