Q: She asked, "Is this all there is?"
A: First, you work with what you have. Then you expand to living what you thought was impossible.
A dear friend came for a brief visit from her home in Hawaii. We agreed to meet at our usual walking spot and then decide on breakfast. I had a new place in mind so I left my money in the car thinking we would drive there. She tucked a bill in her pocket intent on a NY style deli at the end of our walk.
Our route took us to the deli. We sat down and ordered coffee. Only then did I realize we had only her $20 between us. Two starving women and nothing but that single bill. "Well," she said, "let's work with what we have."
Number 1: you learn that $20 does not go far in a California restaurant.
Number 2: you learn how little you really need to eat to satisfy starving.
Number 3: you learn how to work with what you have and still leave plenty for tax and the tip.
My friend and I are wrestling with the existential question: "Is this all there is?" We both realize that we are at a cross-roads in our lives "where the true way is wholly lost" at least for the moment, and the moments are shrinking in number. Our game plans are increasingly respectful of years.
As we sat together in the chill morning air we found warm comfort in being together trading lies, stories, experiences, struggles, what-ifs, insights, intrepid plans, and the expectation that George Elliott was right: "It's never too late to be who you might have been."
First, you work with what you have. Then you expand to living what you thought was impossible.
Indeed there is warm comfort in trading of stories, struggles and insights. And an imposed small budget does not limit the rich experience - and can help bring appreciation to every bite. How lucky we are!
Posted by: Robin | 17 October 2012 at 01:47 AM