How can I sit in my HOUSE, look around at my THINGS and want MORE? When there are people who have nothing, have lost everything and don’t even know if their loved ones are alive?
Why, so often, does it take the worst to make me appreciate all that I have. This amazing family. A safe, warm, happy home. Friends. My sister.
The other night I watched a documentary about the Young at Heart Chorus, a group of men and women whose average age is 80 (or older!) who perform across the world. They sing songs by the Ramones, James Brown, Coldplay. The documentary shows a group of people thriving. A group of people who care about each other. Who support each other. Who laugh together and carpool and make music together. A group of people for whom death is very real.
And as I watched, I laughed. But I also paused. And I did cry a few times. The film touched me, as the footage of the Haiti earthquake does now. These singers appreciate what they have. They don’t waste their precious time or energy doing anything they don’t want to do. They have fun. They love. They learn. They live every day fully.
I don’t want to be 80 years old before I get to the point in my life where I can be real. True. Honest. Happy. Where it all matters most. I want to appreciate what I have. Now. The moments every day that are so repetitive. The making of meals. The washing of clothes. The giving of baths. The fundamentals of life that should not be a privilege and that people do take for granted. That thousands and thousands of people in Haiti now do not have. No food. No clothes. No clean water.
I have so very much. And I am again reminded of my Sweetie’s wise words. I love you, Sweetie. And our home. And our life. Together. And I do know how lucky I am. I do.
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Wow! This is wonderful reading for early Saturday morning. Thank you, Jen, for reminding us all how lucky we are.
I also loved that documentary! It was so inspiring and touching. And yes, it gave wonderful perspective.
Not that it’s an excuse but we’re Westernized to want more, more, more. More things, usually.
Thank you for this reminder of what *really* matters in life.
I love posts, like these, that remind me to pause and remember what is truly important in my life and all that I have to be grateful for. Thanks for that!
I’m so with you. I’m having these feelings too, just reflecting and wondering how easily I can forget. This post has such heart and shows again how beautiful you are.
A little late to the party here, but so glad to have read this. A powerful and important reminder, a call to action, and a call to being – grateful, in the moment, alive. Thanks, Jen.
It’s true what you say. How can we want anything when we already have so much? Since last week the tattered corner of my living room rug, the crack in my windshield, and sundry other very minor imperfections seem wholly ridiculous to be worrying about. I can watch my son toddle around and laugh. I can hug my husband any time. I am dry in my house and warm in my bed. My stomach is full. My life is full.
Compelling reminder to stop and appreciate the imperfect and rich present moment and its bounty. We are wired, I think, to want more, to see deficiency, so it takes effort, a certain discipline, to celebrate the glorious things we have underfoot. Cheers to making this effort and collectively finding this discipline within ourselves.
Thank you. Just thank you so much for the reminder about how important LIFE is, even when all the stuff seems to be getting in the way. Thank you, beautiful lady!