I don’t know if you enjoy coffee. I definitely do. I have slowly watched, however, how I have begun to rely more and more on it for me to function – especially in the morning. It’s funny how a few ground beans have transitioned from an enjoyable drink to something that seems like a necessity now. But I have seen how human nature does this with more than our choice of beverage.
We are creatures of habit. It’s natural for us to turn to something that ‘consoles’, motivates or relieves us. The whole tobacco industry is built on this mental programming. TV series are becoming huge parts of culture as a result of this. ‘Best Of’ albums fly off the shelves because songs make people nostalgic. Even though inclusion is not an inherent instinct when it comes to other people, we very easily include entertainment, food, behaviours and more into our everyday routine.
So my question is – if we stripped all these ‘additions’ away, what would be the basis of our lifestyles again?
My girlfriend is leaving for an awesome trip overseas. I have to stay at home and work, so for two months she will not be around. I’ve had people come up to me and ask me if I’m going to be OK. Some people have gone as far as to say it is going to be hard to get used to it. I don’t doubt that it’s going to suck. But the thing is, I never looked at my girlfriend as a necessity to survive the day. She is a bonus to the life I live. The moment she is anything less than a bonus, I have become too familiar and am in danger of taking her for granted.
Her not being around will not be a shock to my system, but taking away my coffee would be. How messed up is that? I care about my girlfriend way more than a cup of black bitterness. But I have a misplaced sense of dependence on caffeine.
What I am trying to say is life is way easier if we appreciate each element as a bonus, not the next level of normal. If we do that then when change comes, we won’t get thrown.
So – how can you appreciate life? Treat everything that is not breathing, basic eating and sleeping as a bonus. You can’t survive on things that make you thrive. So be thankful for anything that helps you live life to the full. Gratitude goes way further if you live this way – and you will be able to appreciate the world in such a more meaningful way!
If you feel like you are under appreciated. Or have not appreciated others. If you can sense a concerning amount of dependence on things that don’t actually matter to your existence – maybe it’s time for a heart check. There is so much to be grateful for in this life – even in the tough times. I have found the easiest way to live is to be grateful. Jesus died so that I could live a full, significant life – whole and free. He did the same for you. Click on the link below if you want to get to know him.