Hiding In Plain Sight – The Things We Take For Granted
Every day, most of us are doing things for ourselves and for others. Often unrecognised things. Things which keep our lives running smoothly. The childrens’ washing, a morning cup of tea for a loved one, a smile, opening a door, working and paying bills, shopping, loading the dishwasher, and so on. All of these things, and hundreds more happen daily, and we often take them for granted. These actions are all around us, performed by children, parents, work, colleagues and partners. We see them and yet we don’t really see them. We don’t always value them. It is as though they are hiding in plain sight.
Taking things for granted is something we all do as a matter of course. We get used to the run of things. This means we don’t even see that every day people are working hard for us, showing love to us, and bringing things to our lives. And we, also, are doing the same. But we don’t always see these things. We don’t notice our own contribution and we often don’t value the contribution others make to our lives.
It’s easy to change this. To think, as we go about our day, of the hundreds of things being done for us which make our particular day possible. The contribution, paid or unpaid, of our fellow human beings: strangers or loved ones. Like our furry friend in the picture. Did you notice her? It’s always worth thinking about how much we see and yet don’t see. How much is hidden and yet in plain sight. It reminds us how much we all take for granted.
I’m so appallingly guilty of this, Ruth. It is a constant battle, to slow down and be in the present moment and PAY ATTENTION — to what I’m doing, how I’m doing it, why I’m doing it, and for whom. So essential, and yet why is it so hard for me to do? Therese of Lisieux said “everything is grace” — every moment, every action is precious because God is present right there. I know you are not coming at this from a spiritual perspective, but being in the moment and slowing down in order to practice gratitude and awareness is at it’s heart a spiritual practice, a spiritual way of living. Thank you so much for the gentle expression of a very necessary way of being. I’m going to keep trying! Never give up! 🙂
HI Angela, You highlight such an important point, busy lives make gratitude and living in the present moment so difficult. With schedules and long lists of jobs it must be such a huge challenge to get a few moments to stop, ponder and be thankful. I agree that ‘everything is grace.’ Although the word ‘grace’ has different meanings for people, in general terms it has to be true. If we are spiritual then we are here at the grace of our creator, if we are more humanist then we are still here at the grace of our planet and ‘Mother’ Earth. Whichever it is, we still need to be thankful and live accordingly. That was a lovely thought, thank you for mentioning it. Take care of yourself 🙂
Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say. 🙂
It was such a lovely thought. 🙂
I needed this reminder. I’m often guilty of looking back at the past or wondering about the future whilst missing the good things going on here and now. It’s too easy to take things for granted and to not even notice things that are right before our eyes. (No, I didn’t notice the cat when I first looked at the picture). Thanks, Ruth, for another thought-provoking post.
HI Jean, thanks so much for your thoughts, I’m really glad you enjoyed the post. It is one of our hardest challenges, I think, focusing on the present. Something that interests me, was it even harder to stay in the present when you were writing your memoir? The very act of having to record the past means you have to live there again while writing it. I wonder if this can have some difficult effects? I’d be really interested to know your experience if you get a few moments. All my best to you, Ruth 🙂
Yes, Ruth, I did find it even harder to stay in the present when writing my memoir. I felt I had to go back and re-live the thoughts, feelings and experiences to recreate them truthfully on the page. Although in many ways writing served a healing process for me, there is also another side. Far from it always being cathartic and therapeutic, I often felt I was being dragged back into the past; incidents from years ago seemed like only yesterday, bringing fears of getting stuck in the past. I felt pushed and pulled during the writing process, wanting to remember, forget, speak out, remain silent… But writing my memoir was something I felt I had to do. On a positive note, there were times during writing when I felt able to make some sense of the past from a standpoint in the present, achieving the distance necessary to hopefully be able to include insights from hindsight.
Hi Jean, thanks so much for replying. I see exactly what you mean about being dragged back when having to relive past events so as to accurately describe them. Trying to stay present in the moment is the antithesis of that and so it has to be emotionally challenging. As you say, to write a memoir authentically, you have to totally relive the events which is a traumatic process. I think you highlight vividly the difficulties of writing a memoir. Also the positives that can come from it, if you’re able to truly inhabit the past and have travelled enough distance emotionally to be able to reflect on it. I’m so glad I asked as your reply was really interesting to me. Thank you so much. 🙂
Great post and a wonderful reminder, Ruth! x 🙂
Thanks so much Julie – glad you enjoyed it! xx
Ruth this is so true in so many homes… And especially homes where children become carers for parents who fetch and carry, and those mundane jobs as you have mentioned.. Appreciation is something often forgotten in those small but vital things that help those who rely upon help..
We take so many things for granted in the world, and often forget there for the grace of God could go I..
I remember when I was a young Mum struggling on the bus with two children, pushchair and bag loads of shopping, how being helped on and off the bus with a kind gesture of a passenger was so appreciated..
Loved the photo and at first NO I didnt see our little friend.. 🙂
Enjoy your week Ruth… xox Sue
Hi Sue, you are so right – Appreciation is the key and it is often sadly neglected. You highlight this so well with your experience on the bus. Small gestures mean such a lot. We need to offer and receive and be truly grateful for both parts: being able to give and being able to receive. The photo was taken by my brother when he was in Malta. When I saw it I immediately thought of the title of this blog post! Inspiration is everywhere 🙂 Lovely to see you, hope that your week is going well too xx
Hi Ruth, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Life is short and we often lose sight of the present while preparing for tomorrow. There are wonderful things happen daily, and I thank you for your good-natured reminder. XXX Ross & ‘the gang’ in Australia
Ross, how lovely to see you here – a real treat. Yes, you are so right, we get pulled back and forward and often lose today. It is one of our biggest challenges, I think, to enjoy now. Sending much love over to you all and I’ll see you on twitter very soon! Ruth xx
Ruth, I am grateful for social media to enable like-minded people to connect and become friends worldwide. You, are one of those few people who I consider as a very good friend.
See you in the Twitterverse. Love to you, Ross xx 🙂
Ross, thank you so much – I feel just the same. It was a magical day when I found you on twitter. That would have been enough, but then, because of you, I also found wonderful people like Lisette and Marta and many more. Of all the circles I could have fallen into, yours was the best. I appreciate your great friendship and kindness to me. Lots of love to you and to Lisa and I’ll see you in the tweets!! xx
Ruth , what a meaningful post about sweet little things in life remaining concealed in plain sight or optical illusion , if I may say so , as the furry delight was overlooked as something that appeared nothing more than a piece of waste cloth ! likewise the myriad things and events that make up our everyday life are lost in the thick and throng of routine . upon realizing these truths from a few years ago , I started the practice of thanking people even for little things , not only to strangers but also to my homefolks who are taken so much for granted . an attitude of gratitude is sure to help , bless and ease our way . by this opportunity , may I also thank heavens for projecting myself to a beautiful soul like you….best wishes…raj
Hi Raj, Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. What a lovely idea to thank people in this manner. In doing this, I think you become a beacon of light for those around you. To help show people the way towards kindness and gratitude. I too feel thrilled that we have met across this wonderful internet. Take care my friend, Ruth 🙂