I'm happy for all the small things a man never gets around to putting his finger on - the things we take for granted.
~ Van Heflin
How often do we take things for granted? Everyday things and the not-so-everyday things. A friend of mine just recently started taking sailing lessons. She had been sailing a few times as a kid with her family and, like all of us, watched the graceful white-winged boats from shore countless times. They look so peaceful, sleek, and a little sexy. How hard could it be to sail? Well, as my friend found out ... very, very difficult! I grew up sailing and spent many years learning from my dad, so it seemed second nature for me, and yes, I probably take that for granted. I listened to her first lesson tales consisting of a bit of classwork (with new and strange terms) to then, according to my friend, "all 12 of us being dropped out of the sky in our little boats in the middle of the water and left to fend for ourselves"! She struggled to put all the lectures and bookwork into practice right out of the gate. After a couple of weekends, she has improved her sea legs but is still convinced that this sailing gig is so much harder than it looks! I hope she sticks with this beautiful and thrilling experience.
I felt the same way when I took up golf and hockey in my later years. The folks who perform these sports make them appear so effortless. But it's definitely not. Have you ever tackled painting a picture, playing a musical instrument, or singing? When you embark on something new like that, you instantly get a good dose of reality. You gain a new appreciation for those who have mastered their craft and can no longer take it for granted.
The same goes for other day-to-day occupations. Just imagine yourself waiting tables for a moment. The unlimited substitutions and questions. Keeping all orders straight and timely. Not dumping your tray. Splitting checks. Handling the impatience, grumpiness, and complaints! Times how many tables? Day in and day out.
Don't forget about teachers: the bratty kids, the overbearing helicopter parents, the demanding bureaucrats. And medical professionals, especially those who have to deal with bodily fluid things! The call center employees are asked to fix whatever problem you are experiencing. They did not cause the issue but must correct it - right now! I realize I am pointing out all the pitfalls of these professions, but those things are precisely what we don't think of when dealing with these folks. If we could step into their shoes for a moment and experience their struggles, we might be a little kinder and understand how hard everyone's job can be. As we do this, we may appreciate their efforts, lighten up a bit and not take them for granted and expect perfection from them at all times.
And let's not forget about our modern conveniences. We can do so much shopping, banking, investing, and learning casually online. Thanks to Amazon, the bulk of our packages are delivered beyond quickly. I remember ordering by paper catalogs and waiting 6 to 8 weeks for delivery! We can easily keep in touch with family and friends through email and social media. And instant access with texting. We get the news 24/7 (whether we should watch it around the clock is another topic, lol!) We can see any movie we want anytime with our Smart TVs and streaming services. Our watches and phones monitor our health stats. Our favorite music is at our fingertips on various devices at all times. Alexa, Siri, and Google manage many parts of our lives.
It is easy to take all of these modern conveniences for granted. We want them to work instantly and smoothly at all times. When they don't, our frustrations can spiral out of control. There has been a cliché lately about "first world problems," and when our present-day amenities fail us, this certainly applies. Perhaps we need to take a breath and remember all the times before we had any of these things. I would also venture to guess that they perform as they should more times than not. Maybe if we don't take them for granted so much, they will perform better for us!
Our relationships need to be held with great care as well. It seems natural to take those closest to us for granted over time. Sometimes we spend more time and effort being kind, helpful, or compassionate with strangers than we do with our friends and loved ones. We forget that they also need these things and our unending appreciation and gratitude. A kind word, gesture, and a hug go a long way to dampen our taking for granted mode.
Let's not forget our health. Yes, we might have minor aches and pains. We might have to hunt for our 'readers' in every room, but we are still here to soak up and live every day to the best of our abilities. Although I'm not too fond of the comparison mode of thinking other's experiences are worse than ours, that thought can indeed spark a little gratitude for our current health.
It is also easy to take for granted the beauty of our surroundings. Our amazing sunrises and sunsets every day. The blooming flowers and singing birds. Rainbows. Our fur babies. Our home. All of nature's wild animals and plants. Mountains. Oceans. Rivers and lakes. Glaciers. Clouds. There is a remarkable landscape of wonderment all around us every day. Notice it all. Take nothing for granted.
What are you taking for granted?
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