Last Sunday our pastor's sermon focused on the problems that families are having during these hectic materialistic times in which we live. He spoke about all the time and energy so many people today spend seeking higher paying jobs and more "stuff" to add to their possessions. When I got home I couldn't help but think about all those wonderful people in Mayberry. We can learn so much from them. If only we could find the peace of mind and contentment that was so prevalent among those people in Mayberry.
Aunt Bee found contentment in being a homemaker and caregiver to the two most important people in her life - Andy and Opie. Even though she had moments when she questioned the importance of her role in life, she would not have changed places with anyone. Her family, friends, and church gave her what she needed most in life - love, peace, and joy. No career could possibly have been more rewarding or more important than caring for someone she loved so dearly. Andy too was very content with his life in Mayberry. He never wanted or needed to be a "big fish in a big pond". He found what he was looking for right in his hometown of Mayberry. His friends and family were with him. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of fishing, bowling, and sitting on the front porch playing his guitar. He had no desire to move to Raleigh to become a big city cop. Some may say he had no ambition, but I would beg to differ by saying he had a lot of satisfaction and contentment in what his life in Mayberry had to offer. Floyd Lawson was also a very contented man in his simple role as the town barber. He took great pride in his profession, and he knew that every man in Mayberry was a walking testimony to his trade. He found great pleasure in spinning yarns with all the men who stopped by throughout each day. A friendly game of checkers, a discussion of the current events, and listening to the Mayberry musicians while clipping hair were a wonderful part of being the town barber. His biggest dream in life was to perhaps one day own a two chair shop. These familiar folks of Mayberry knew what real happiness and contentment meant. It didn't mean wealth, power, and position. It didn't mean fancy cars, big homes, and the latest fashion. For even when Andy and Barney both eventually said farewell to Mayberry and their friends for "bigger and better" things, in the end they both returned to the town and people that they loved so much. Sometimes in life we need to lose the things we care about the most in order to truly realize their importance. Andy and Barney realized what they had before it was too late. They were fortunate to have been able to maintain their special friendship all through their lives. And they were fortunate to be able to have lived in Mayberry while doing so. Somehow we need to dispel the myth that success and happiness will only come about as a result of wealth or fame. Many people spend their entire lives searching for happiness through those means. But for many others true happiness and contentment comes about by being a small fish in a small pond. And frankly, I would not want it any other way. Kenneth G. Anderson 2906 May Street Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 715-839-8470 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.mayberryreflections.com _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://mail.wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
