Day 13 - Living in a Modern World....

With the chilly weather we've been experiencing here in our little part of the world, I've been thinking how wonderful it is to come into a nice, warm building after being out in the cold.  Thank God we have central heating almost everywhere these days!!!

And that got me to thinking about all the wonderful, modern conveniences we have around us.  To name a few.....

Automobiles - We can get around so quickly and efficiently now.  Imagine if we were limited to where we could walk, or had to saddle a horse or hitch up a wagon to go to town.....

Indoor plumbing - Think about having to head to the outhouse when nature calls in the middle of the night.  And how often do we take for granted having indoor water at the tap, both hot and cold?

Electricity - Powers everything.  Remember how disabling, and downright paralyzing, it was the last time you lost electricity?

Cell  phones - As a realtor, I truly depend on mine!  But, beyond that, it helps me stay in touch with my family and friends; and serves as a camera on the go.

Computers - Admittedly, there are pro's and con's to being in the most technologically advanced world of computerized everything.  But, overall, they improve our quality of life in many ways.

Supermarkets and grocery stores - With the urbanization of America, and much of the rest of the world, we have come to depend on someone else to catch, kill, harvest and even prepare our food.  Most of us rarely bake a loaf of bread anymore.  Putting food on the table takes much less time that it did even a hundred years ago!

I could go on and on about all the modern developments and inventions that make our lives so much easier.  Our survival is so much different than previous generations.  I, for one, am thankful to be alive at this time.

With all the modern conveniences, we have time to do so much more with our energy and our lives.  It's no longer just a matter of working sun up til sun down to survive.  What do we do that extra time???


A lot of it is spent working, I am sure.  Jobs and careers take up much of that gained time.  In order to feed all the machines, we must put money into them.  But, after that....where does that time go?

Unfortunately, I admit that I probably waste a good deal of the extra time gained by living in our modern world.  Generally, I spend too much time sitting in front of the TV or the computer.  Perhaps, just maybe, I should focus on spending that time in a more fruitful or productive way.  What if each of us mentally made the effort to carve out more time for reading, or writing in a journal, volunteering, creating, spending time with family, helping our neighbors.....?????

What we do with our time reflects our hearts and character.  Time is a valuable gift, and as such, should not be squandered.  Down time is necessary, yes......but wasted time?

Today, on this 13th day of my Gratitude project, I am thankful to be alive in this day and age!  I am thankful for all the modern conveniences I enjoy from minute to minute, from coffeemakers to blow dryers to my Kindle.  I am thankful to have limitless opportunities, courtesy of science and technology.  And I am thankful for the gift of extra time!

I know that you, too, were blessed in some way today.  Please feel free to share your blessing today.  I know you've received many!!!

Wrapping up Day 13......

Jane