Tiny Practices

I don't know about you but sometimes I come across an idea that gives me pause to think. A topic that gets a lot of attention these days is that of instant gratification and how we in the developed world are so accustomed to having quick access to information, responses and material goods that we have diminished our ability to wait.



I'm like that. When I first began writing this blog I had just upgraded to high-speed internet from dial-up. Good-bye Dial-up. My expectations quickly adjusted and now I would be hard pressed to be satisfied with dial-up service. Likewise, it was less than 18 months ago that my husband bought me my first digital camera. I sometimes wonder now how I waited weeks (months sometimes) to have my photos developed.



To counter that tendency I like to find tiny ways to delay gratification. It is helpful to remind myself that most of the world doesn't enjoy even a small fraction of the luxury that I do (housing, food, clean water). About a month ago one of the drain pipes from our kitchen sink developed a leak; we decided we'd fix it the following weekend. As an interim solution we would use our dish basin as usual and just empty it into the laundry room sink. It’s surprising but I'm in no hurry to have that drain pipe fixed, I guess I've just grooved a routine and it seems automatic now. It’s a tiny thing but it is a reminder that many people the world over are hauling water every day in buckets.

I usually make my own whole grain bread and on Monday realized that I'd forgotten to buy more yeast. There was enough to make one small loaf. I knew that loaf would last only a few days but decided to wait until next shopping day to buy more yeast. I have to say I miss the bread more than the kitchen sink. There really isn't a substitute for bread, I checked my muffin, loaf and pancake recipes and they have much more fat and sugar than bread does. So I'm waiting for grocery day. What a small thing, I'm not going hungry and my cupboards are full of food. I think the waiting is good for me, so much of the world goes without, and many people are forced to wait with no certainty of when or where the next meal is coming from. May my tiny practices serve to make me more mindful and generous.

Wishing you a mindful day,

Sandra