Little Something to Be Thankful For
I like to travel. This could sound surprising to some here who might know me. For one, they don't see or hear of me travelling much. Secondly, I don't mention that, not as a hobby or something I like to do, or enjoy doing, but here it is－I like travelling. I've travelled to several countries and cities. I've travelled beneath the deeps and above the skies. How I reached there, I don't know. One thing I know is that the ride of imagination took me there. Haha!
Not a fantasiser though, but I find myself sometimes engaged in thoughts and reflections. Some could come swiftly as a lightning bolt, but the marks don't go just like that. The good thing is they tend to leave me a message, a lesson, something to hold on to as necessary and important. Today, one of such leads me to the discourse in this post.
You know, the troubles and engagements of life can be so much and overwhelming that we might not really see, and even be grateful for some “little” things. There are high expectations for those big things and projects, the hustle could be so demanding, and completing one task after another could just be there, constantly keeping us busy with life. It happens everywhere and to everyone.
So, it's a good sunny Monday afternoon. I was caught up in one activity or the other, also reminiscing on what to bring to this space today. A lot is on my plate, and I haven't come to a conclusion yet. You have to start somewhere to get somewhere, so I decided to get some buckets of water for my use. It was through this that I had this swift reflection and lesson, which is inevitably valuable, though little.
Amid life's bustle and hustle, some little things to spot, reflect and be grateful for could be overlooked. Good health, the gift of people that care, safe going out and coming in, good food to eat, and a whole lot. Yes, many consider such things and certainly are grateful for them. One thought hit me this afternoon as I fetched water into the compound.
In my effort to transport the buckets of water into my space, some spilt right in front of my neighbour's door. I guess the bucket was overfilled. That won't be an excuse though when my neighbour sees this. I knew I had to clean it up, quickly as possible. “I no fit take any para dis afternoon”, I thought. But that was just me thinking so. My neighbour isn't one to behave such. She would perhaps just clean it up or if confronting me, would do it in a kind and subtle way, maybe after cleaning it even.
That all drew my mind to the fact that I was blessed with a neighbour who is a neighbour indeed. Not just this one, but all the others. Since coming to the compound, I've never had issues with them nor they with me. Anything needed or necessary was talked out in an understanding way, rather than fury and rage.
From some life experiences and the reflections of these realities as portrayed in movies, I've seen what a pain and disturbance some neighbours can be. You'll agree that it's never a pleasant experience. And here am I, enjoying the goodness of wonderful neighbours, who have also been helpful in one way or another. Such little things can escape our radar of thoughts or reflections, and so we might not consider them.
It's good staying around such people for me. I've always been a fan of a calm, peaceful and understanding atmosphere. May I also mention that, for the fact that one has neighbours who aren't problematic shouldn't mean that they take advantage of that. You shouldn't fail to “clean up the spilt water” because they might not or wouldn't make a scene out of it. Well, I'm yet to tell them of how wonderful they've been, maybe I'm doing that after this post－or maybe not. Still thinking. Chuckles.
Images are mine.