With a shout out to Bee, whose idea this was…
This is a question that can be taken seriously, or not so seriously…either way, it is intended to, at the very least, stir up some otherwise dormant brain cells and get you thinking. Like Bee, up there, I’m also interested in your answers, and possibly the “whys” ( or whies…hmmmm…plural of why? anybody?) Anyways…you can answer in my comments, or hers, or on your own blog…and make up your own rules… I think I may do five material things I can’t live without, and then five non-material things I can’t live without. So to speak, I think there’s very little I need to live. You know, like water, air, food, shelter- so think of these more as essential items.
The Material…
1. My Mac. I certainly wouldn’t be here writing this if it weren’t for my trusty computer. It is my link to the outside world, so maybe I should include internet service with that. All aspects of my life are held on this lil’ laptop, in one form or another. (Which is kind of scary if think about it…)
2. Dark Chocolate. I’m not a big fan of things that are super sweet. I used to not even be much of a fan of chocolate. Becoming a woman has changed at least the latter claim, and dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa, thank you very much!) is my solace. Plus…it’s healthy! Rich in antioxidants and other good stuff. (At least that’s what my dad and I keep telling ourselves.)
3. My camera. As an artist, visual representation is a must. As a mother, whose mind is slowly dripping out her ear with each fire she has to put out, visual documentation is a must. It especially helps when you forget that you actually love your children, and they actually do behave from time to time. (If only for the split second that picture was snapped.)
4. Good Sunglasses Recently, I’ve discovered that when I put on a pair of cheap sunglasses, my eyes start going batty resulting in an immediate headache. If I take them off, and squint into the bright sun, the same happens. So…needing to protect my eyes, and needing to protect everyone else from my headache (you would not believe what a monster I can become while suffering from a headache), we finally shelled out some big bucks for optical quality lenses. Much better. (So far.)
5. Music. (Though I’m not sure music is entirely material,) I believe that music is a gift from God. I think it holds within it, life changing power (good an bad, to a degree.) So I try to choose well.
Non-Material…
1.My husband. Here’s where I get sappy. Kevin and I, we just fit together, we balance each other out, we keep each other in check. There’s really nobody I’d rather spend my time with. He’s always interesting, often entertaining, always getting better, always encouraging me to become my best self. And there’s sooo much more. Definitely can’t live without him!
2. A good nights sleep. I’m no Margaret Thatcher, functioning highly on just four hours of sleep. To be all that I can be, I need twice that, sometimes plus an hour. I’m just a much better person when I’ve been well rested.
3. My alone time. This is very much like the sleep and good sunglasses, I’m just a better person when I’ve had some time to just cut loose and not have to worry about every body else.
4. My children. While somedays…I wonder why I chose this path, my children are really the light of my life, giving me a purpose (to boot!), and I cannot imagine how empty my life would be without them. I also am excited to see what kind of life skills I’m learning as a result of being their parent.
5. Friends. Friends are an interesting thing. There are good and bad, new and old, close and not so much. If there is one thing I know, it is that we are not meant to be solitary beings. There is a lot of good that comes from having friends.
…and now that I’m done, I have to say, that was fairly difficult. Some things are kind of obvious, some, not so much. As always, I’m claiming my “woman’s prerogative” and reserving the right to change my mind. Ha ha. Because if there’s one thing that trumps this entire list, it’s that life changes.
Sarah Bearah 