Posted on 02.23.2018

Simplicity - Soapbox Rewind

*NOTE* Here's another rewind while Charlie finishes up his vacation, This one is from 2012. - TeamCDB

I sometimes find myself so caught up in my busy life, where I have to go, what I have to do, the commitments I have to keep and all the other things that go to make up the pressure cooker of demand and competition that goes with the profession I have chosen and love so much, that I forget to notice the blooms on the magnolia trees in the backyard.

Or I'll watch the news and be so frustrated by the sloth and downright insanity of the federal government that I forget how beautiful the sunset can be from the top of my hill crawling across the rolling countryside painting the horizon it's own special shade of red.

I need to remember to sit on the upstairs porch with Hazel and listen to the night critters praising the God that created them when a full moon lights up our valley and the bullfrogs in the big pond at the bottom of the hill add counterpoint to the song of a lovesick whippoorwill that's drifting in from somewhere back in the woods.

Wars and rumors of wars, the threat of terrorism, the danger of criminal violence and a thousand other things conspire to take away our peace of mind and I must remind myself that there is not a power or combination of powers anywhere on earth that can separate me from the love and protection of Almighty God.

When I look around at injustice and see the symbols of my beliefs being torn down because some court considers itself wiser than the timeless Holy Scriptures, I have to remember that man's own brilliance will be his undoing and that there is a higher court where there is no appeal and the decisions are eternal and that ultimately justice, in its true meaning, will be enforced.

I need to spend more time on a four-wheeler or casting a fishing line, or pulling for my favorite NASCAR driver or having a cup of coffee on the back porch when the morning sun is peeping through the trees on the hillside on the east side of the house.

I need to get on a gentle horse and ride the rolling hills and wooded pasture land and watch this year's calves run and jump.

I need to spend more time with my son talking about the upcoming football season we're both looking so forward to and love so much.

I need to leave my footprints in the late October frost in the big grassy field on the back of the property.

I want to snowmobile in the pristine Colorado high country where the aspen trees are as big around as a barrel and sit beside a fire all snug and warm and watch the awesome spectacle of a Rocky Mountain snowstorm.

I want to be silly with little children, watch an old John Wayne movie, eat a hand-dipped cone of chocolate ice cream at a drugstore that still has a soda fountain, I want to drive across the country on two-lane roads and stop at all the little towns along the way. I want to have lunch in meat and three in some tiny Georgia town and talk to some real Americans.

Simple things? Yes. Maybe even boring to a lot of people, but when I need to find the baseline in my life when I need to escape the incessant anxiety of modern life on Planet Earth, I need to remember and take pleasure in the real things, the true things, the important things, the simple things.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, and for our country.

God Bless America

— Charlie Daniels

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Feel free to comment on Charlie's soapboxes, but please refrain from profanity and anonymous posts are not allowed, we need a name and you MUST provide a valid email address. If you provide an email address, but leave the name as "Anonymous" we will pick a name for you based on your email address. No one other than website administrators will see your email address, not other posters. If you post without a valid email address, your comment (whether positive or negative) will be deleted. — TeamCDB

Comments

Simply
I can agree with you 100%. Sometimes we just need to slow down and rewind, thank the Lord for what we have.
Posted by Barry
Simple things
Thanks Charlie for your posts I enjoy reading them and the common sense and your love for God and our country.
Posted by Judi
Magnificent orator
Mr. Daniels you have God given talent I would die for,to be able to put words and experiences together as you do. The almighty has taught you well. America will survive because of people like you being an inspiration to all of us and God's will.
Posted by Terry
To Dana
Ya know, I used to think kinda like you do. So I tried an experiment. I took all my guns, loaded them, and laid them on the couch facing the front window (busy sidewalk traffic). After a week nobody had been shot. I wondered if something was wrong with my guns. I had given them every chance in the world to kill someone. So, I chambered a round, took off the safety and laid them back on the couch for TWO weeks. Sill nobody shot, let alone killed. I had no choice but to come to the conclusion that it's NOT the gun, it's the person holding it.
Posted by Hoop
Thank you
Thank you once again for your post. So simple that even are elected officials could figure it out, but don't. Truly your are blessed, as we are also blessed to be able to read your never ending wisdom. Thank you and God Bless
Posted by Jim
Charlie
So refreshing to hear the pleasant sound of a grown man wanting to eat a dipped ice cream cone and talk to a few simple Georgia folks. I’m one of them and you and your Hazel are welcome at my house in Georgia for coffee anytime. God bless you while you stop and smell the roses. God bless you & family. Thank God for a country boy!!
Posted by Becky
Being simple
Thank you for your comments Mr. Daniels. Many of us out here that enjoy your music feel the same way about the distractions life can throw at you, while we simply want to enjoy the Lord's creation in peace and harmony. You paint a wonderful picture with your music and your words....a picture I also try to create. I play harmonica and write a bit. I have dreams of living the life you and Willie have enjoyed....even with the challenges. Mine has been a work a day life for 40 years since I joined the Navy at 17. Your support for our troops is much appreciated as you have a national platform to speak from, and people listen, thank you for using your platform for the good some seldom realize in this life. If I may I'd like to share some things I have written. They are at my blog "Recent Thoughts of Distant Memories" bryanastross.blogspot.com There are close to 200 posts on the blog started in 2008. There is a lot there but these three I hope someday you may find time to read if for no other reason than to know you have one more spirit out there that feels and worships as you do. The blog is in date order so the first one is called "Two Shadows" from 9/13/2008....the second is a recent post called "The Wind Harp" from 2/11/2018 and the third is a song I wrote called "Stampede of Love" 5/14/2008. Like I said I have dreams and my dream is to one day play my harmonica with you and Willie as our spirits harmonize in mind, body and soul. I plan to be in St.Augustine for your March 9th concert. I am a huge Marshall Tucker and Outlaws fan. I just seen Marshall Tucker here at the Fillmore in Charlotte. I hope to find a way to meet up with you and share stories from the hi-way as we continue searching for rainbows. All the best my friend...thank you for a wonderful musical legacy.. stay safe and healthy...Bryan Stross 2/26/2018 Zechariah 9:9 - 9:17
Posted by Bryan
Simple & Free
Amen, Amen & Amen Charlie the simple in life are the best and often times free. Sunrises and sunsets are both amazing to me, rain on a tin roof is as relaxing as it gets in my world, hugs, laughter and a good fishing story go a long way in bonding friendships, and lets not forget a good ol wiener roast with a few marshmallows and hot chocolate. Teaching a young un how to whistle with a blade of grass between their thumb is something that can last a lifetime, nuff said God Bless Plowboy
Posted by Plowboy
To Hoop
I gather you do not have any children.
Posted by dana
All things Simple
I'm a Dreamcatcher, Sunset Chaser, Bible-believing, BabyMaker. I'm a Lord fearing Jesus-loving, Mama praying, Heaven bound wanna be. I'm a gypsy soul for the Sun that rises, a feather finding fool. I'm a rock giving kind of friend that loves to have my hair blowing in the wind I'm the late night prayer Warrior, Early-risin tearjerker. I'm The Family Table Lover and a Rodeo Junkie. I am a Dream to discover I'm a wife, mom, daughter a friend and lover of all-things simple. I believe a pebble cast makes an endless Ripple and the Kindness you share changes lives. I believe it is the little things that mean the most. It's the light you cast when it's dark and the world seems to be falling apart. ~be YOU be KIND Inspire
Posted by Shelenea