On Being Grateful
Just a quick post - I'm trying to make an attempt to adjust the professional nature of the posts and have the blog be a bit more relaxed. I have a full post about that development, but need to proof it - that's tomorrow. Now, I just wanted to share a thought.
I got into Sevilla yesterday and both apartments that I wanted to rent fell through. It was a bit frustrating, but I found a hostel to stay in and it wasn't a big problem. I arranged to see another apartment today - my backup. After spending the day in the city, I came back to the hostel, which is a bit outside the city to retrieve my big bag. After lugging it to the apartment, I learned it wouldn't be available until mid-December. Perhaps, I should say reminded instead of learned. When he told me such, I do remember seeing the tid-bit in the bottom of the posting. In my haste to find a place, I seem to overlooked that pertinent detail. I got back on the bus to come back to the hostel and for some reason the bus just changed its route. There is a big football match against Real Madrid today, so I think the buses acted as an express to the stadium. Either way, it was another small annoyance. Now I'm sitting in the lobby of the hostel waiting for the attendant to show up so I can get a room. I think he's watching the game and I look at the news. On the front page of the WSJ, I see a picture of an upended telephone pole in the Philippines as the result of the super typhoon. While on the bus I thought about what it would be like if I were in a real emergency. I have the convenience (or perhaps inconvenience) of carrying everything I own on my back. I considered how I would lighten my load, where I would go etc. The people in the Philippines are living that emergency situation right now - no fantasy.
I must always remind myself: be grateful.
I got into Sevilla yesterday and both apartments that I wanted to rent fell through. It was a bit frustrating, but I found a hostel to stay in and it wasn't a big problem. I arranged to see another apartment today - my backup. After spending the day in the city, I came back to the hostel, which is a bit outside the city to retrieve my big bag. After lugging it to the apartment, I learned it wouldn't be available until mid-December. Perhaps, I should say reminded instead of learned. When he told me such, I do remember seeing the tid-bit in the bottom of the posting. In my haste to find a place, I seem to overlooked that pertinent detail. I got back on the bus to come back to the hostel and for some reason the bus just changed its route. There is a big football match against Real Madrid today, so I think the buses acted as an express to the stadium. Either way, it was another small annoyance. Now I'm sitting in the lobby of the hostel waiting for the attendant to show up so I can get a room. I think he's watching the game and I look at the news. On the front page of the WSJ, I see a picture of an upended telephone pole in the Philippines as the result of the super typhoon. While on the bus I thought about what it would be like if I were in a real emergency. I have the convenience (or perhaps inconvenience) of carrying everything I own on my back. I considered how I would lighten my load, where I would go etc. The people in the Philippines are living that emergency situation right now - no fantasy.
I must always remind myself: be grateful.
