I read an interesting
article on the Huffington Post blog recently. Apparently a woman posted a
picture of her kitchen and immediately got “helpful” messages telling her it was
outdated and needed a makeover. Her eventual reaction was to list all the ways
in which her kitchen is amazing just the way it is. For example, and I’m
paraphrasing: “When I turn on the faucet, water comes out! Not just hot water,
but cold, too! There is an miraculous machine that keeps my food cold. Inside
is an abundance of food that I can replace when it runs out. There is another
apparatus where I can turn a dial and cook that food! There is another one that
can cook food in just seconds!” She went on to list the extraordinary things in
her kitchen that most of us in developed nations take completely for granted.
She said she had decided to see her kitchen with fresh eyes.
This must be a message I needed because I also got an email from my friend, Georgene which had a very similar theme. An excerpt, with her permission:
"Not a day goes by that I'm not presented with an
opportunity to stand in awe of the universe -- of the earth, of different
species, of laws of physics & chemistry, of how our human bodies work (our
hearts continue to beat without our direction, all inner organs take care of
what we need, amazing neurons send messages all over our bodies, words come out
of nowhere when we want to talk, etc. etc. -- and on top of all these wonders
we scold ourselves for not having enough AMBITION & accomplishing
MORE? How much more do we want, for heaven's sake?), of technology &
innovation, of infrastructure and the legal system and too many other things to
mention - - -
but then I forget about all of this & allow myself to fall into a funk over something not achieved, some unsatisfied "want," some guilt or regret. I can remain in the present when I'm out in nature, but I lose it almost immediately when I come inside!"
but then I forget about all of this & allow myself to fall into a funk over something not achieved, some unsatisfied "want," some guilt or regret. I can remain in the present when I'm out in nature, but I lose it almost immediately when I come inside!"
Now bear with me here. You’ll see where I am going with
this. I just took a road trip with my sister. Hard to believe, but first ever
for just the two of us. We went to see my brother for his birthday. Before the
visit was even over, I was trying to secure the planning of a future family
get-together. Then, on the way home, I said to my sister. “I hope we can do
this again. You never come to see me.” She responded, rather irritatingly I
thought, “What are you talking about? I’m here right now.” I didn’t understand
her frustration at the time but on reflection I do. I was missing right now by
wanting more. More time with those I love is not exactly a horrible thing but
it is if it interferes with RIGHT NOW.
Maybe it’s human nature to want more. But it doesn’t have
to be so. Just take a beat. See with fresh eyes. It will help us remember. Maybe
it will be to remember the awesomeness of a kitchen, the extraordinary order of
the universe, or the lesson of not missing the NOW for wanting more.
