Fresh Eyes

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 Apparently a woman posted a picture of her kitchen and immediately got “helpful” messages telling her it was outdated and needed a makeover.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!"

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.