Thank you to Floss for organising another year of pauses in Advent. As other years there are lots joining in and the posters and their styles are all so different so if you've time, take a look at the list on Floss's blog and have a read.
I think by now most readers will know that I'm not a religious person - I pick and choose from lots of different beliefs and faiths. I know it seems strange evening taking part as Advent is such a part of the Christian calendar - I can't explain why I do this but I do enjoy it and I hope you do to.
One of my posts from the last Advent series about Simplicity is one of my most read ones ever so I must have got something right.
Onto my first theme for this year, its about taking things for granted.
We here in the Western World take it for granted that when we turn on a tap that clean & safe drinking water will come out. If we go to a supermarket, the shelves will be full and the prices (even allowing for the current increases) will be fairly sensible - imagine finding out that a simple loaf of bread costs half a weeks wages! Its something we take for granted that won't happen here (make sure you're listening Messrs Cameron, Clegg & Osbourne).
Most of our children take it for granted that come the morning of December 25th, there will be presents for them - either from Father Christmas or family & friends. Also that there will be a meal of some sorts - whether its a traditional Christmas lunch or perhaps for those in the southern hemisphere a barbecue on the beach.
I know I take stuff for granted - I did when I had this accident. I knew that I'd be looked after and that MrVV & the boys would rise to the challenge of looking after me and taking over many of the household tasks.
Perhaps just for once we could all think about what would happen if those things & people we take for granted let us down. What would we do, how would we cope?? Perhaps we should all let those special to us know how much we love them and not just take it for granted that they know.
So I'll say now - Thank you P, E & W for all your help over these past 3 months - we're now half way through this and hopefully it won't be long before I'm back to 'normal' again.
xxx Vicki xxx
15 comments:
Such a lovely post giving us lots to think about as we lead up to what can be a time of unnecessary excess.
Have a lovely week,
Anne xx
that is such a lovely post Vicki. my Post is all about the excess of Christmas and how much I love it.
I am planning a more reflective and thankful one. x
Thank you for this post. My husband and I have both lost a parent this year and your message is so important. Don't take anything or anyone for granted. I love the holidays and and try to remember everyday how lucky most of us in the western world are. Take care.
How right you are! I think we often get so carried away that Christmas has to be "perfect" or meet our own (often unrealistic) expectations that we miss the simple wonders and miracles that are going on around us.
Thank you for reminding us of this.
I'm joining in with A Pause... I hope you might pop over to my two (!) Pauses....
HI Vicki!
You're right. There are so many priceless gifts around us. It feels so good to give thanks for the snugness of our homes, the coolness of water, even Kleenex to blow our nose when we have a bad cold like I do right now!
I'm "pausing" too!
What a lovely post, Vicki - I really enjoyed reading it x
Beautifully written post Vicki and one we should all heed, as I'm sure we all have taken family and friends for granted at times, it is so easy to do, and yet it is so very important to let them know how much we appreciate them.
I have decided to join in the Pause too - I love your post, and think that you are quite right - we are all so privileged and we do all take so much for granted.
Pomona x
Thanks, as always, Vicki! Your point about taking health and care and basics for granted is so true - I know a friend of mine would have died in childbirth if she'd lived in the poorer parts of Africa - instead, of course, she and her two sons are thriving. It's wonderful to live where we do and when we do - I'm going to enjoy it all the more now I've read your reminder! And get totally well soon...
How true VV ... The supermarkets have food & drink stacks blocking the aisles .... Just how much more do they think we eat over those 2 days! x
Hi Vicki, thanks for this post, it's so true and puts everything in perspective. Reminds us that we shouldn't take for granted the most important things in life...Sarah x
A wonderful reminder, thank you.
Vicki, hi. I am catching up with the wonderful you in Pause. But you have been journeying to Christmas with injury! I love your stoicism, and thoughts. We are taking very much to heart www.adventconspiracy.org this year, and will be choosing Oxfam's clean water presents over others this year.
Hello Vicki,
It's true that we in the western world take so much for granted. And then when anything out of the ordinary happens to upset the flow of life a little, we tend to complain and blame the government. Choosing to be grateful instead is a wonderful way to face this season and life in general.
I hope your healing continues.
A beautiful post Vicki x
Post a Comment