"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside
from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire
poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't
stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and
simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then,
since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your
poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is
what you get." ~Anne Dillard
A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.
A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.
The freedom to worship or not worship as I please. I am grateful to live in a country where I have a choice in all things. Whether I believe in God or not. If I go to church on Sunday or not. Which church I go to on a Sunday. To pray or not to pray, etc. All these things are freedoms we enjoy and really do take for granted. There are many in the world who have no choice when it comes to this.
This week as all the kids head back to school, the value of a free education. Something else that we very much take for granted in the West. There are many in the world who do not have this special blessing and who would give anything to be able to go to school and to learn.
Free and accessible health care. All my life I have been carried around in a spoon being able to go to the Doctor no matter what ailed me. To have operations when I needed them, and eye checks and dentist visits, etc. And it cost me nothing really.
Having a roof over our head that is warm and comfortable and just ours. It is spacious and clean and safe and we don't have to share it with a bazillion other people. The roof doesn't leak when it rains and I have two doors I can lock to keep out the baddies, and electricity and running water. A refrigerator to keep my food fresh and a stove to cook it on. Indoor plumbing. Oh boy am I blessed!
The luxury of Leisure Time. Many in the world work their fingers to the bone from dawn until dusk with nary a break, every single day of their lives. There is no time in their days for even simple pleasures.
Friends and companions. I have always had them.
Loving and being loved. Having a special someone to share my life with. Having grown up in a family and having been able to raise a family of my own. All of these things are special blessings.
I have always had plenty to eat and then some. I have never known true hunger or deprivation.
The luxury of choice . . . in what I cook, in what I eat, in what I read, in what I watch, in how and what I worship, in what I listen to, in where I live, in how I spend my days . . . in life.
We are truly blessed.
A thought to carry with you . . .
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*.˛.Good things come to those who believe,
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*.˛.Good things come to those who believe,
Better things come to those who are patient,
and the best things come to those
who never give up.
~Unknown •。★★ 。* 。
In the kitchen today . . . Tomato Pan Bread. Kind of like an upside down cake, but savoury and with lovely caramelised tomatoes on top!
Have a fabulous day, I hope your week is filled with lots of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!
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And I do too!
God bless Marie. We are truly blessed to live in the countries we live in. Although I am having quite some troubles sorting out surgery for my hands. I will sort it though. I wish dentistry was cheaper here. Many do without as it is so difficult to qualify for assistance. People have sold their homes to pay for dentistry.
ReplyDeleteBut we have an abundance of food and if you are in a very tight spot it is possible to buy fruit and veg cheaply. You have to put the work in to achieve a result.
We, too, have our freedom about religion. I pray it remains so.
We take far too much for granted Suzan! I hope that I will always be able to recognize my blessings and be grateful for them! xoxo
DeleteWe are truly blessed, I too have The luxury of choice . . . in what I cook, in what I eat, in what I read, in what I watch, in how and what I worship, in what I listen to, in where I live, in how I spend my days . . . in life. Although you have had the extra added bonus of free health care, which none of us has at all until we reach 65 here and then it is only 80 percent and doesn't cover dental. Dental is so expensive, I've not been to the dentist for several years as it is so costly and not in my limited budget for sure. But there is so much to be thankful for that I have no reason to complain at all. Hope you are having a wonderful Monday !
ReplyDeleteThankfully here in the UK if you are in receipt of any kind of benefits (ie state pension and pension credit) dental etc is free. Also prescriptions are free in England for anyone 60 and over and for everyone in Wales. We are so blessed! Hope you have a beautiful week! Xoxo
DeleteSome things are not free here..you need private insurance.
ReplyDeleteBut I do love living in Canada very much.
Of course I have never lived anywhere else.:)
So nice you mention all the small and wonderful things..
I like to think it could always be so much worse Monique! Xoxo
DeleteMarie just a beauitful post as always oxoxox
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Cathy Jo! Xoxo
DeleteOh,my dear friend, thank you for your reminder of how truly blessed we are. I know that I am blessed like you to have all of these gifts of freedom. All needs met and many of the wants are part of my blessed life.
ReplyDeleteSending love and big hugs your way for your grateful heart today!
I think we can sometimes take these precious gifts for granted LeAnn. I like to remind myself every now and then that they are BLESSINGS indeed! Love and hugs to you and Roger! xoxo
Delete