#take for granted

[screaming--agony]

Dear Diary,

I don’t care anymore. Nothing changes.

[momentsbeforemass]

Thanksgiving

Remember a couple of months ago? When we talked about how to start each day?

Not just first thing out of bed. But before that, before your feet ever hit the floor.

About taking one minute to start each day. By making a list of everything you’re grateful to God for?

If you actually did that, then you know how good it is. What a radical difference it makes in your day. Even the worst days, days that desperately want to be retched, are better.

If you haven’t done it, then today would be a great day to start. Kind of perfect, really. Since today is all about…well, you know.

Why? What’s the big deal with gratitude? With giving thanks?

Giving thanks. Not in some abstract sense, but directly, specifically. That changes something inside us. It makes a connection for us. Whether it’s with a thing, or a situation, or a relationship.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people are happy and other people in the exact same circumstances are miserable, this is what it all turns on.

In the words of St. John Chrysostom, “Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.” 

That is, happiness is no accident. It’s not something that happens to us. Or some fragile thing that can be snuffed out like a candle on the whim of fleeting circumstances.

Happiness is durable. But it’s not something we can seek directly.

Happiness is a by-product of something else. That something else is gratitude.

And gratitude is a choice. A deliberate, calculating choice to see the things and people in our life as the gifts that they really are. Things that we get to have. People we get to know.

All of which the love of God has given to us. None of which had to happen.

Even so, whether they are a burden to us or a joy is entirely our choice.

“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” - G.K. Chesterton

Today’s Readings

[nutzo0001]

june travelogue - TA(L)KING FOR GRANTED - 0/25, 30/5/24

got idea - maybe it was daydream - about this very topic... i(t) was thinking out of nowhere - maybe i am idiot, or just censoring myself... because now, - bolts on my head - but i mean, wasnt this (except for data grab and so...), the reason why internet on which [we are] here, but to discuss [taboo]s!? now when, let me start, - we can argue later (in comments)! here here! what got me prompted, was idea - "men feel weak/useless - and so does/seems Mankind contra ["Rotten apples"]!" "Rotten apples", in quotes; had no better comparison, naming, and it quite fits [the reasons]. it, to me, points to [this; problem]; where, - to say - we are more comfortable, it is easier - to [throw away] rotten apples - than to take care of main issue, - our luxury and comfort, - that it is to [eat it] on the right time; to not forget (to care about ourselves too...) - and to not "miss forest for the trees", to say... (**) to "Men feel weak" - it is an nod to all Rogan, Tate and Peterson broskis Manosphere, who [slurp from] use inceldom, - turning desperation, basic needs (compassion /***) and call for help, into weapon. (prime example of) Rotten apples. - it is easier to militarize vulnerable ones with propaganda cheap promises and "tricks", than to admit, "yes, 90s were Woman decade never to be left alone; we (men) are sorry that when you are man, then all you do, is to be taken for granted (on that basis alone; when women turn "men", manhood, on basis of purpose, starts to lack behind...), no matter how left alone and unheard; maybe even silenced, you might feel!" (tl;dr: "to be born = to owe <pardon>") and other things we take for granted (dont worry, this is not cry-to post) :

[justana0kguy]

2023 SEPTEMBER 19 Tuesday

"We cannot take the present moment for granted. Because the future that lies before us is uncertain. Life itself is uncertain. Live accordingly–or rather, as Seneca said, live immediately."

~ Ryan Holiday, Daily Stoic Newsletter

[old-movies-stuff]

Labyrinth - 1986

[utilitycaster]

"why should I get invested in shows if they'll just get canceled" I was deeply invested in Heroes (2006) and it was not canceled, it just got really terrible. I also got really invested in the sandwich I had a few weeks ago despite it only lasting like 15 minutes. You must embrace the ephemeral. You must be willing to love things that may not love you back, that might betray you, or that may die an untimely death. As the great philosopher Mr. Mitchell Lee Hedberg said "I'm not gonna stop doing something because of what happens at the end."

[ckret2]

I'd like to think Bill was projecting in the paragraph on hibernation.

(fun fact! every color in bill's clothes, breakup recovery objects, and furniture were color picked from ford's body! yes bill did get a leather couch the same color as ford's flesh!)

[handweavers]

it is a rare and precious thing for someone to choose to know and love every version of you throughout all your years, and to choose to know and love every version of them throughout all of theirs. to have played together as small children and chosen to love each other then, and to sit with each other over 20 years later, still choosing to love each other. it is a very humbling thing and almost difficult to look at directly, in the way that it's hard to look directly at the sun. it makes me feel very small but in a good way. what a gift i have been given in this life to know this

[sheikfangirl]

Photobombed by his girlfriend ♥️❄️

Happy holidays everyone 🤗

[lilybug-02]

It is strange to think something so intrinsic to humans may be so detrimental to another.

Bug Fact: The glow of artificial light does not actually attract bugs, it interferes with their natural sense of direction.

“Unable to secure food, easily spotted by predators and prone to exhaustion... Many die before the morning comes.” - The Conversation

Keep your lights off at night when you can.

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Masterpost

[vampyrdolll]

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

At your side [End of Season 2]

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[title]

Feel better?

Notorious (1946), directed by Alfred Hitchcock

[muzsmocsing]

Reading svsss really puts into perspective just how MIRACULOUSLY normal Hua Cheng turned out despite his arguably worse circumstances.

[watchyourbuck]

bobby “I’ll build you a mile of runway” nash you are the most romantic man in the world

[charlesemersonwinchesteriii]

inspired by @sunlaire's tags