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What's Really Important
A while back someone dear to me gave me a copy of Etty Hillesum's wonderful book, An Interrupted Life. In it he wrote, "I read this book when I want to remember what is really important."
Sometimes we do need to remember what is really important. Daily disenchantment can cause us to lose sight of the biggies... little disappointments can obscure the contentment that we do possess. I'm certainly guilty of falling into the trap of forgetting my blessings, and counting my losses.
What really is important? Though I'm sure our lists differ, we probably cherish some of the same gifts. I like to think about them in a sort of "chicken or the egg" conundrum... which would I need first to manifest the others? Here is my list, though certainly not all-inclusive:
Freedom -- to learn, to speak, to worship or not, to strive, to join, to move, to read, to think, to believe, to be whoever and whatever we are or want to become....
Good health -- Without good health, all else pales in significance. I am so grateful for the good health of my body, my mind and memory, and my spirit. I think I'd place the qualities of self-awareness and discernment here, along with mutability and the power to communicate.
Love -- In some ways, loving relationships seem to be the culmination of all good things. The love of family, pets, friends, partners can be an anchor or a star... reflecting to you the best in yourself, and where you need the most improvement. And where would I list the love from inside oneself, and from the universe? How essential it is to connect to that source to be able to appreciate the rest.
Shelter -- Especially on a cold night, I realize how much luckier I am than so many others, with my comfortable home and extra blankets. Luxury can be experienced in a condo or a palace... it seems to be a matter of noticing, once again, what is really important.
Food -- If you know me, you are aware that I can write (and probably have) volumes on this subject. But how lucky I am to have at any one time in my home all sorts of foods that can nourish and delight me! I can pull homegrown collard greens out of the freezer... whip up some organic cornbread... bite into a juicy Fuji apple... simple pleasures that elude so many. And I haven't even begun to think about chocolate chess pie!
The basics... I have them all, and so much more. Thank you for being one of the gifts in my life.
Sometimes we do need to remember what is really important. Daily disenchantment can cause us to lose sight of the biggies... little disappointments can obscure the contentment that we do possess. I'm certainly guilty of falling into the trap of forgetting my blessings, and counting my losses.
What really is important? Though I'm sure our lists differ, we probably cherish some of the same gifts. I like to think about them in a sort of "chicken or the egg" conundrum... which would I need first to manifest the others? Here is my list, though certainly not all-inclusive:
Freedom -- to learn, to speak, to worship or not, to strive, to join, to move, to read, to think, to believe, to be whoever and whatever we are or want to become....
Good health -- Without good health, all else pales in significance. I am so grateful for the good health of my body, my mind and memory, and my spirit. I think I'd place the qualities of self-awareness and discernment here, along with mutability and the power to communicate.
Love -- In some ways, loving relationships seem to be the culmination of all good things. The love of family, pets, friends, partners can be an anchor or a star... reflecting to you the best in yourself, and where you need the most improvement. And where would I list the love from inside oneself, and from the universe? How essential it is to connect to that source to be able to appreciate the rest.
Shelter -- Especially on a cold night, I realize how much luckier I am than so many others, with my comfortable home and extra blankets. Luxury can be experienced in a condo or a palace... it seems to be a matter of noticing, once again, what is really important.
Food -- If you know me, you are aware that I can write (and probably have) volumes on this subject. But how lucky I am to have at any one time in my home all sorts of foods that can nourish and delight me! I can pull homegrown collard greens out of the freezer... whip up some organic cornbread... bite into a juicy Fuji apple... simple pleasures that elude so many. And I haven't even begun to think about chocolate chess pie!
The basics... I have them all, and so much more. Thank you for being one of the gifts in my life.
Tags: an, collard, etty, goldsberry, greens, hillesum, interrupted, life, pleasures, simple
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