I admit to taking things for granted. The lesson I learned this last weekend was good for me. Hurricane Michael came through Charlotte not doing the damage that was done to the Florida Panhandle, but my neighbor lost his house and we were without power for a few days. My loss of power is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and my neighbor taught me a lesson in a positive attitude by saying he was planning on doing remodeling any way. But compared to my neighbors in Florida who lost everything including life, I feel guilty about writing about a few days of power loss, but hopefully you will understand why when I finish this morning’s thought.
I am so used to flipping a list switch and the light comes on that when it didn’t happen if gave me pause. First loss of power is an adventure and can be romantic, but with no hot water or morning coffee it becomes an inconvenience pretty durn quick. It caused me to think what else do I take for granted and the list grew really quickly. I like to think I’m appreciative, but I was not until it was taken away. I’ve had experience in this area before. We take freedom for granted until it is taken away. I’d like to think that lesson stays with me to this day.
The Nobel winning Polish poet Czeslaw Milosz writes:
Love means to learn to look at yourself; The way one looks at distant things.
I can’t explain it but the loss of power forced Suzy and I to look at things differently even when there was light outside. “The way one looks at distant things.” Hurricane Michael had made us more aware of our surroundings, our conveniences, and our life. For example do you realize there is a pause, ever so slight between the time you flip the switch and the light going on? It is not detectable until one goes through it not happening, and now I am aware of the pause and actually marvel at it.
Eastern spiritualist talk about mindfulness, being aware of all that is going around you. Maybe our loss of power was nature telling me to be more mindful and to take time to marvel.
That’s right Mr. Hubbell! Thanks for the words of wisdom. Rainer
Thank You Dr. MacGuire. W.