Valuing the Ordinary

The recent news reports about the various natural disasters… and the people all over the world who have lost their homes, family members, and friends… are heartbreaking. Every time I see interviews with survivors of the floods, wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes… and more recently the devastating earthquakes… I am reminded once again that the people facing these disasters now have one huge thing in common. Suddenly their most fervent wish is to somehow be able to go back to the life they had “before”… back to that very ordinary life they probably took for granted and perhaps even felt dissatisfied or unhappy with. Facing the possibility of losing everything changes perspectives and priorities in a big hurry, and I often think that this stark realization of what really counts is a feeling we should all try to hold on to.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone took a few minutes today to fully appreciate the life they have been given… loved ones, a home, and even the good things about circumstances that may not always seem ideal?

Isn’t it sad how we sometimes have to face the prospect of catastrophic loss before we can realize the value of these ordinary but so terribly important parts of our life?

And wouldn’t it be even more wonderful if we could somehow keep that perspective all the time?

Written by Shirley | Filed Under Personal Development, Simple Living, Voluntary Simplicity

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Comments

Comment by Tammy:

I have only today found your blog. This is wonderful. I will need hours to peruse through your post. It’s really ironic – we’ve decided to “Simplify” our lives. From our “stuff” we don’t need or use to our mind set about how we go about life – we want to declutter and make life simple. I’m excited to see there are others…

Comment by Kathy@brazoscowgirl:

This is a great reminder that it is the people you treasure not the things that surround you. The China earthquake was so heartbreaking as so many people lost their only child. We are so fortunate every day we wake up in our bed with our family close by.

Comment by Lady Laurie:

How very true. We lost our home in Hurricane Katrina, and life is referred to down here as the “new normal.” Granted, things will never be the same, but God has watched over us and we still have the most important things ~ each other.

Comment by Jersey Mom:

I like this very ordinary life of mine. I am content and happy. At the same time, I know there are people right now, at another place on this planet who are suffering from the numerous natural disasters that have and are constantly occurring. My heart goes out to them.

Comment by Sheryl at Providence Acres Farm:

I, too, am happy with my simple, ordinary,, minimalistic life. Things are constantly changing in anyone’s life. We have to learn to go with the flow to be content, to “make lemonaid”. Isn’t that what faith is all about?

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