Learning A Lesson.......The Hard Way!

Last month I was rendered immobile for a week.You can well imagine what all this entails.Thank God I was on my feet again after one week but this one week taught me many lessons.

The day I first walked to the bathroom after this, I realized what a blessing it was to be able to do so.Before that I had never imagined that one day I would rate this simple act as a major component of my happiness or satisfaction with life.

And then there was the buoyant feeling of not having to depend upon anybody for the simplest of needs-like turning off the fan or picking up something to read.Because of my reluctance to bother my family time and again,I had been suppressing many such desires in the past week.

It was almost a thrill to be able to undertake any activity of my choice-even a simple act like sitting out in the garden or making my tea my own way.Lying supine on bed for one whole week had tested my tolerance to the maximum.

As I took over my normal routine I felt deeply indebted to all those who had chipped in to help me out in the week gone by. I could not but marvel at the many blessings, the good lord had bestowed upon me.Every small convenience now became a source of joy.I do not live in the lap of luxury but even small facilities like a comfortable bed with clean sheets,a nice clean bathroom and a convenient kitchen-- all these factors have made life easy and enjoyable.Not to talk of bigger boons like a healthy body and mind,a caring family,the home I own etc etc.

The list could go on and on,but I guess you get my point.There are so many comforts we enjoy and take for granted.Not until we are deprived of them do we realize how lucky we were.We sweat about small stuff ,not even considering the pleasures which fortune has bestowed upon us.We take for granted what we have and we also desire what others possess.Instead of gratitude we fill our hearts with envy and discontent.Perpetual hunger for more and more causes unrest and anxiety.While yearning for happiness-we in fact tarnish it.

Even as I write this I am aware that if I am healthy and happy today it is not always going to be like this.The whole life experience is like the wheel of a bike with different parts of it's circumference embossed with natural events which generate happiness,sorrow,disease,frustration,growth or stagnation,with the passage of time.We feel deeply the current joy or displeasure which is uppermost on this wheel, forgetting that this too will go down and other experiences will come up.

Even when face to face with a calamity,what succor do we have?We can only thank God that it is not worse than this, while coping with it to the best of our ability and telling ourselves that this too shall pass.I guess the answer lies in savoring mindfully and gratefully,what we have;appreciating more, and whining less.Talking of gratitude,this post has a lot to offer.It is worth a visit.

What is precious to me could differ from what you hold dear.It would be interesting to know what evokes feelings of gratitude in you.So come along,say your say !

Image courtesy google.