Re: In today's news...
Hello all, I rarely post here. But, I feel compelled.
In Today's News, I remembered several important lessons that everyone should learn at some point, probably have experienced, and often take for granted or forget.
Anyone who has ever hit a low point, emotionally, financially, romantically, In any way, for any reason, and come through the other side, learns this lesson over, and over again. And I state it here now for everyone who's low once more, who needs to remember. And first I shall describe my own current situation, and the lesson itself.
As of a week ago, Several bills were due, large expensive ones, and my car also broke down, the repair and the paying of these bills has left me financially helpless for at least one more week, and low on food, simple pleasures, my vices unfulfilled, I went to my pantry tonight, after an entire day of ramen, and found something that would normally not even arouse my interest. I found half a bottle of Maple syrup, years old, but still good, I found several boxes of tea leaves, still sealed, and unused, and a coffee mug.
I nearly cried when I found all of these things, these little things, that at least for tonight, and the following week, will give me pleasures I normally take for granted. I continued to dig in this rarely explored area of my own pantry, and came up with dried milk as well, Masala, Ginger, Cinnamon, in fact, I found things I had squirreled away carefully years ago, just in case this ever happened, last time I was so completely screwed. And I realized as I sat down with these simple things, Cheap, little, tiny things, that would make the next week more bearable, that I remembered WHY I had put these things in THIS place, where I wouldn't find them normally, Why I put These specific things here, things I always have, things I always take for granted, things that only need water, to make a daunting period, less so. I'm sure this seems silly, but for anyone who doesn't even have bread, this is no small matter, these things.... are as precious as gold. Precious in a way a Homeless man regards a sweater without any holes in it, as winter approaches. Precious only to those who have very little, who know their value. And it's now, As I sit here, drinking a cup of hot tea, the first sweet thing I've had in 2 weeks, the first taste of caffeine to drive away the headaches, that I take the first step out of a brooding depression. It's as I REMEMBER their worth, that I look ahead, and realize that now not only can I improve the situation, but that Ive done so before, and prepared beforehand to do so again. So it's on this tale, that I offer this Wisdom that I'm sure many people think they know, and some do, and I hope everyone takes it to heart once again, as it's a lesson easily forgotten.
Look around at all you have, at all you've accomplished, and imagine your world without them. Remember that all you need is that little nudge, to push forward again. Do Not Take what you Have, for Granted. You are not entitled to any of it, you must earn each and every thing you possess, from the simplest pleasures, to the most complex. From the tiniest convenience, to the most crucial. Don't Prioritize them separately, simply... Remember their value not in work, or in coin, but to You, from where I am now, with a simple drink sweetened in an unorthodox way (For me) to the home you live in, or the computer you post from. Take this moment, to be grateful that you still have these things, and prepare for the moment when you may not have them anymore, as I did years ago.
It's with a far lighter heart that I look forward to the coming week, and all the challenges it's sure to have, including everything from finding food, to finding a way to heat my home before winter hits, and it's because I took the time to prepare for the worst, that I'm turning that corner now, and shrugging off the worries at least for this small moment, that made it all seem like it was so much more.
As you lay your head down to rest, take the time to smile, find a way. Weigh your choices, your gains, and your losses, what is precious to you in any sense, and find it. If it's a flavor, taste it, if it's a substance, indulge. If it's a loved one, let them know. Whether Hell comes tomorrow in whatever form, or whether it's simply another day, you'll know you took that small moment, to enjoy some facet of your life, however grand or small. Rest Well ULMF.
~Courage Wolf.
