Well, the news is a little brighter as the year marches towards a close.  The Dow is over 10,000 (at least today), home values are beginning to see some increases in various markets across the US and a recent report on a national news site showed data that the current recession is slowing or beginning to turn around in 79 major metropolitan areas in the USA.  I am always happy to hear good news, and I am thrilled to learn that the economy may be on the way to mending.

But there is something bothering me.

Remember September 12, 2001?  The day after one of the greatest tragedies the US has ever seen, the national mood was somber, but there was something else.  There was a new sense of camaraderie.  There was a renewed sense of patriotism and pride in our country and the values for which it stands.  We were well on the way to emerging from tragedy a stronger nation.  It was a truly inspiring time.  We raised our eyes up, eyes that were full of tears, and looked to each other and our faith to bring us a renewed sense of hope.

Fast forward just a few years.  Within a few short years, that sense of pride, patriotism and hope has all but been erased.  How can that be?  How can something that so profoundly changed us be forgotten so quickly and cavalierly?  I’m not talking about having forgotten the tragedy…I doubt anyone who was old enough to remember 9/11 has forgotten the flood of emotions that they felt as the towers fell.  No.  What I’m talking about is how we have forgotten the sense of community and cooperation that took root in our lives in the days and weeks to follow.  What happened?

Well, now, as I see the economy showing signs of life, I fear that we will quickly forget the struggles of the past year.  It truly concerns me.

I’m not a huge “viral web video” fan, but I did see something recently that really got me thinking.  There is a video floating around the web of a comedian who goes by Louis C. K. during an appearance on Conan O’Brien’s late night show.  The video is titled “Everything’s Amazing and Nobody’s Happy”.  The most poignant moment in the video for me is when he describes the first time he was on a flight where In-Flight High-Speed Internet was available.  He tells the audience that a short time into the flight, the flight attendant comes on the PA system, and announces that everyone can open their laptops and connect to the internet.  Louis C. K. says that he was simply amazed.  Flying at 35,000 feet and being able to watch videos streaming over the internet.  He was truly in awe of technology.

And then, a few minutes later, the internet service breaks down, and the person sitting next to him slams his laptop closed and says “This is bull[expletive]!”  And then, commenting on his neighbor, Louis C. K. says something that is burned in my mind forever.  “How quickly the world owes you something that you only knew existed 10 seconds ago!”

Think about that.  I think that we can all think back to a time when we were THAT guy.  I’m guilty of it.  I’m sure Christopher would tell you that he has been guilty of it before.  I think we’re all guilty of that from time to time.

How sad.

As I’ve said before, the world owes us nothing.  How quickly we become “entitled” to everything around us.  Now, as is my usual modus operandi in these articles, I want to offer a few practical points to challenge us to appreciate what we have and be happy about the simple things.  These are things that, no matter what tragedy befalls us, whether financial, emotional or physical, we can do these and take pleasure in them.

1. Rediscover the magic of reading for pleasure.  Lately, my wife and I have done this.  We decided that rather than rot our brains with copious amounts of television, we would read more for pleasure.  And what a tremendous blessing it has been.  I think between us, over the past four months, we have probably read over 30 books, and the enjoyment is unparalleled.  And guess what?  You can go to a library and check out books FOR FREE!  You don’t have to own a television and pay for cable.  You don’t have to buy a movie ticket.  It’s all FREE!  If you aren’t reading a book for pleasure, pick one out and give it a shot.
2. Take a walk.  It’s simple.  It’s free.  And it gives you not only exercise, but a chance to enjoy the crisp fall weather (apologies to anyone living in Alaska…this may not be appropriate).  Instead of settling in for a night of television after dinner, just walk out the door, and set foot on a journey down the sidewalk.  It’s a simple pleasure, but it is worth a try.
3. Invite your friends over for game night.  I have a group of friends that I met through church who take a great deal of pleasure in playing board and card games.  About once or twice a month, we all get together, hire a babysitter (quite cheap when you split it four ways), and we play games.  It is an enriching time of fellowship and friendly competition, and you don’t have to have an expensive gaming system.  Board games cost very little money, and the sense of community and friendship that comes from a friendly game is irreplaceable and priceless.  Try it…I think you will like it.
    

Well, I certainly hope that the reports are correct, and that the recession is beginning to end.  But, my hope is that we will not neglect the simple pleasures in exchange for the luxuries that may have gotten us into the position that we are currently in.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 12:26 am and is filed under Dr. Jesse Greevers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.