As I look around my little office, I see my immediate surroundings as things taken for granted. I assume my computer will work, my printer, copier, and phone will work. I take for granted that my brain will keep functioning to be able to use all these things, so I take my brain for granted.

Then I extend my mental self down the hallway, and realize that I take the water in the bathroom for granted, the lights overhead, and the warmth of my home. And as I go even further beyond those things, I understand that I take the food in my kitchen for granted, the news on the TV, and my car for granted! What do I NOT take for granted? I realize that I take everything in the world for granted - even my family and friends.

Realistically, I know I can't really count on any of those things. My essentials for how I live my life - my computer to communicate, my printer, my copier, and my phone to keep in touch with others - are all at risk of failing when I need them most.

My brain and physical health - I should know better. I've had times when I could not rely on myself either mentally or physically. Health can fail and I can't take them for granted.

Wells can run dry, power can go out, the heat can go off, food can become scarce, news can be bad, and my car can be totaled. The price of gas could go so high that I can't afford to put any in the car to run it. So I realize I can't take these things for granted, either.

My loved ones can leave or die, my friends can desert me, and relationships can end. They can't be and shouldn't be taken for granted. I can't assume I'll always live in the comfort of my home. When I'm aging and can no longer care for myself, I can't take for granted that I won't eventually be in a nursing home - the one place I fear. I can't even take for granted that someone will have enough compassion to see that doesn't happen.

Is it better to go through life taking things for granted so we don't have to face the realities? Or is it better to face the realities and go through life being worried about losing our way of life as we know it?

Hopefully, we find some balance between reality and hopefulness. We find a way to live realistically and optimistically at the same time. We have enough common sense to know that nothing should ever be taken for granted.

About the only thing we can take for granted is that we will most likely continue to take everything for granted until we get to that place and age where nothing can be assumed or taken for granted anymore. That time does and will come for all of us.

Learn more about this author, Arabella Kelly.
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