Wednesday, August 08, 2007

TO TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED

I remember years ago Tiessa and I nodded our heads in unison, saying “She takes things for granted!”. We were trying to justify our sheer dislike to this particular girl (yea- females are the living image of "homo homini lupus", ha ha). We seemed to find that taking things for granted was deplorable.

Was it? Is it, really?

But most people do take things for granted. Sunrise is just sunrise- not a majestic scene of celestial beauty and a kind reminder of The Power Beyond. Food is just food- not something you ought to be grateful for (considering Africa!). Friends are just friends- not beloved people you should care for. Being healthy is the normal state- not a privilege.

If it’s there on a daily basis, if you can get it without efforts, you take it for granted.

But imagine this: you’re in a packed bus, standing and swaying miserably, and then out of the blue a perfect stranger offered you his seat. You’re touched. You’re moved. You think him saintly.

It happened to me. I was deeply touched- whilst I perfectly knew that Arko or Dewa or most of my male friends would have done exactly the same: letting me have their seats. Would I have been as deeply touched if it had been Arko or Dewa? I don’t think so. Of course they’d do that- indeed they SHOULD; they’re my own friends.

Of course Mum MUST love you- she’s your mum. Of course your boyfriend SHOULD check on you and call you everyday- he’s your boyfriend. It’s the natural thing to do.

I dunno, Tiessa. I hate to admit this- but perhaps taking things for granted is indeed the natural thing to do. How deplorable.

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