Back to Basics

Everyone hears the same generic messages as they grow up. "Treat people how you want to be treated." "Think before you speak." "Enjoy life now; you'll never be young again." I, like the rest of us, ignored most of them, but I took one to heart. "Take nothing for granted." That's always in my mind and is actually why I'm often so happy and so stable. I don't take shit for granted. Not a thing. I'm the kind of guy who walks into a grocery store and thinks, "Without this, I'd have to hunt for my food." I finally rendered this down into something that I think can get people out of bad moods.

First, you have to really understand that life is not fair. The universe has no karma or sense of justice. No good deed is ever guaranteed to be rewarded, nor is any bad deed guaranteed to be punished. Life can and will fuck you over at every turn. You have to keep in mind that all you get is life. That's what you can take for granted. You are alive right now. Everything else is a bonus on top of that. Start the bonuses small, so you never lose track of them. Always be willing to accept the worst that could happen.

My bonuses start at health. I'm very healthy. From there, I have a family that cares and keeps a roof over my head and food in my gut. I drive a rolling work of art. I have wonderful friends and, for once, a girlfriend. Keep going and you get into stranger stuff. Just ponder wireless internet for a second. With no physical connection to the outside world, I'm writing a blog that you all will read. I am literally transmitting data through open air to the rest of the world. It seems mundane because I'm always doing it, but I never let regularity convince me that it isn't absolutely incredible.

Yeah, life blows. Always has, always will. It's also the best thing that will ever happen to you. You just have to think small and be happy about what you've got. Forget about the stuff that goes wrong; you saw it coming. You knew it would happen. You're pleasantly surprised when it doesn't. Life's not fair, but some wind is always blowing in my favor. Get back to basics and you'll see what you really have going for you.
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