A Perfect Storm ~ A Perfect Moment

I've had a tough month end. My Steem power down ended two weeks ago and I still have about four months to go before my financial situation should improve quite a bit. When you have your own business, month end is when accounts must be paid, not a relief like it is for salaried workers. This blog is anything but a complaint though.

I love Sunday mornings. It is the only time my husband and I don't have to get up and go off and do our work related thing. We have breakfast in bed (made by my dear husband as I cook dinner) and we often find ourselves chatting about, well, anything and everything. I am truly grateful for this. We have been together for 28 years, but there is still no other person for either of us that we would rather spend our time with. This blog is not (really) about love though.

While eating breakfast, we switched on the TV and saw the news of the alleged North Korea nuclear test. I have also been following the extreme weather events in Texas and India. I know the "news" is anything but. The multitude of conspiracy theories only confuse me too. What I am not confused about is that our world is moving towards a perfect storm. We are on an economic precipice, and a few more adverse weather events, combined with political issues (manufactured or not) can and probably will spin us into a free fall. This blog is not about world events though. 

My husband has been complaining about a little weight he has gained. (We don't discuss mine, ahem!) I said to him...look what is happening around us, if I were you I would eat while you have the chance! I don't mean to allow yourself to become obese and unhealthy, but don't worry about those few extra kilos. We may not always have the opportunity to be as privileged as we currently are to have an excess of delicious food options to choose from. Or even the privilege of not experiencing hunger.

Something about gratitude blogs puts me off, possibly because they don't reflect the complexity of my feelings. Possibly because I still have a lot to learn. I don't think I will ever hop around as a happy bunny, it is not in my make-up, for better or worse. I have the tendency to occasionally sink into depression, and possibly that's where my irritation at gratitude blogs stems from. What I have been developing, though, is the ability to experience the perfect moment.

There are so many things in life we take for granted, and just by watching the news, you realise how tenuous our grip on those expectations are. Did you eat something tasty today? Next time, take a moment or two to really taste the food, snack, cup of coffee or glass of wine. Did you have a hot bath or shower? Did you feel the bliss of the water against your body? Are you warm and dry now? Do you have a secure home that protects you from the elements? Do you have a warm soft bed? Do you have time and the ability to be entertained? You may not always have these privileged opportunities, and you may want to know one day that you appreciated what you had when you had it. Even hated chores like grocery shopping and filling up with fuel are an amazing privilege very few of us are granted.

For some of us (I hope most of us) we have a joy that surpasses all these creature comforts. My favourite feeling in the world is when I switch off my light to go to bed in the evening and all my family are sleeping peacefully under the same roof. Add in a few well loved pets cuddling with you as you drift off, and there can be no greater bliss. 

In no way do any of these simple pleasures include the latest car, the latest fashions, the latest keeping up with the Joneses in any shape or form. Feeling dissatisfied because you have less material possessions than another person, kills the ability to appreciate what you have. And the only way to truly experience appreciation, or gratitude, is to reside in the moment and really feel it. This does not mean you will always be happy, or sweep through this earth in a New Age swathe of love and light (though if this is your thing, all power to you), but you will be a little more content, a little more grounded and when everything falls apart, appreciation might be the most important skill to have.

I'm going to spend my Sunday doing a few chores, cooking and reading. And I am going to be happy, as I have the ability and privilege to lead this life. For now, as we don't know what the future holds. Namaste 

@onetree

(images: thanks pixabay)