Simplicity

Been reading a bit lately, mostly about philosophy and religion/atheism. It's been so much fun to have the time to read and think. When people ask what I've been doing since I retired I always feel like I should list accomplishments. I wonder if reading even counts although a lot of people would like to have time to read more, it isn't an activity that is admired, but it should be!
We have also been watching a documentary on the different geographic areas of China, it's people, weather, flora, fauna, etc. It's been fascinating.
These two topics: philosophy and life in another "world" have gotten me thinking again about what humans are all about.
Many of the people who live in the very remote areas of China live a basic survival lifestyle. Their days are spent taking care of their and their families' physical needs. They nourish their souls by singing and playing music, when there is time.
What they don't do is read books or newspapers, watch TV or movies, drive cars , contemplate the world's problems, go to church, go to the coffee shop to soak up the "culture", shop, eat out, etc, etc, etc, you get the idea.
So my question is how much of what we think we must do to be a good human in this world, is really necessary?
Must we get an education from an institution
Must we eat 3 square meals a day
Must we own and decorate a house to make us feel good and to impress others
Must we dress to impress
Must we have TV, internet, movies, games
Must we have cars, trucks, trains, planes
Must we work for someone else in order to supply ourselves with all of these things
Our world has evolved into such a mess of wants and needs that we really have no concept of what life is really about.
I'm not ready to give away all of these comforts, because they are an intricate part of our survival in this culture, but I am wanting to remind myself that this is not what it is about.
Life should be much simpler. Life should be about relationships with other humans and the natural world around us.

The birds are singing up a storm in the bushes across the street.
The rain has washed off the walkways and channeled the leaves onto the flowers as a blanket for winter.
I think I'll read a book today!