Simple

The elderly gentleman looked quite out of place sipping his black coffee from a ceramic mug. His gray and white faded hair had been neatly combed into place. He was the only individual who looked over the age of twenty-five in the coffee shop. His tied leather shoes rested flat on the floor, his aged and weathered hands rested on the table top around his drink. He was a picture of serenity amidst the surrounding tumult of modern living. Pop-Indie music played loudly, accompanied by espresso machines, loud conversing, and a nearly audible technological hum of laptops, iPods, and Blackberries. He had brought nothing with him "to do". He held no book, no newspaper, and didn't appear to possess a cell phone. His simplicity stood out like a sore phalange.

I was struck by how uncommon was this peaceful lack of clutter. For all I knew, our elderly friend wasn't aware of how he didn't seem to fit this modern coffee shop. Whether reviewing memories of years passed or contemplating the quality of his purchased coffee, he seemed content to sit alone with nothing but thoughts demanding his attention.

I wonder how long I could last without the many things that clutter my life. Surely I would go nuts if I didn't have my phone for an entire day. Even my macbook has become somewhat of a fifth limb. While it is impressive how far we have come into the world of technology, I believe it is also a hindrance. I can't help but think that I would notice more, would think more, would be more attentive to life, if I didn't have so many distractions.
If only I would simply turn off the cacophony and listen.