01 October 2009

Introspection


In a way, holiday can be a little damaging than to do me good sometimes.


I tend to have difficulty waking up early to prepare breakfast after short hols like the recent one. The shopping bags are yet sorted and the petty weather is sure helping my laundry basket... Gee, thanks!




Zzz...



Top on my hate-list : grocery shopping for the week. The Japanese has one such demanding table, there's much ingredients to be prepared, for 5 days' consumption at least. I'm so uptight on 'shopping days', that I don't need a checklist for help. Like a robot, I see to the requirements while jamming my baskets. The robot would comb every corners of edibles down the never-ending mart. It's a dry, automated operation and the only human aspect to it : Bear carries the heavier bags without being asked.


Upon reaching home, I'll allocate the groceries into the fridge fast and furious, organized. The more on being storage efficient, the less room our fridge good for 4 enables me. I blame that pack of miso, Japanese preserved goods, tofu, anything of Jap's, without pointing finger at my soy sauce, belachan chilli jars, a large bottle of Ribena and more bottles from Singapore. What? They travel all that distance, you know?




Devil whispered in my ear on Sunday, 'Admit it, you're tired.' when an edged pack made a hole in the plastic bag again, and there went my free garbage bag. =(


Monday morning, I had breakfast prepared, but too sleepy to eat. So I checked the documentary I've recorded previous night, and had my biggest chunk of lesson in days...




Why should I be complaining about grocery-shopping, when I'm blessed with the means to? We need not worry about where our money comes from, does it take days to reach a mart, if the goods are fit for consumption, whether the supplies will last us another day... God has had everything worked out, we just have to help ourselves!



And how could I nitpick on the poor fridge, because it's innocently full of goodies that nourish our health?



So what exactly am I tired of? Of blessings which I've deemed as nuisance or chores??



I must have been a robot then, and most heartless. I don't deserve the ice-cream that must be finished before winter, especially when I have never for a second thanked my overworked fridge, or the great mart I patronize, or God's gracious providence while many around the world don't even get to smell discarded leftovers that have gone bad.




*****



Since Monday night, I tried hands on simple dishes. Less hassle, less oil, less presentable, just healthy. For a change, I didn't want Bear to feel it's an 'ought' to have a sumptuous meal every night even if it makes me look lousy. We need to eat bland, or anything less lavished from time to time, if it helps us remember the poor, the hungry and humble. I'm reminded of those days when my church fasted for serious prayer, and a hunger raged within my soul. How am I to do any tiny bit for the world, when I'm ignoring a massive hole in my attitude?



Food however simple; is delicious, when I'm reminded of multitudes that could be sweeping the ground for grains this moment. The extras in cash, they'll go somewhere good as God prompts us.



I've just got home after getting a pack of corn-starch, and gently placed some red bean snacks into the fridge. For a moment, good fridgey looks like a golden chest of glittering treasures. =)










8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post on the simple blessing of food! Not to be taken for granted as you noted.

stay-at-home mum said...

Yes, many times we forget to count our blessings and complain instead. we have all been abundantly blessed by God and we must always remember that and Give Thanks!!

Samvedna said...

Beautiful and thought provoking post !I remembered that quote...I was lamenting about the good shoes when I saw a man who didnt have foot.

J.H said...

stardust, that is such a sweet reminder. Sometimes (or many times) we are often caught up on so many things and forget how much God has blessed us.
Thank you for sharing such a important reminder!

Duke said...

What a wonderful post! We must never take life for granted and we must live each day to the fullest and smile!
Thank you, Stardust!

umekotyan said...

こんばんわ、スターダストさん
毎日の生活で、嫌な事も、少しはあるわね。
だけど、平凡な生活こそ、いい事もあると、
思います。
すばらしき、週末、雨かな。
だけど、いい、週末になりますように:D
しなきゃね。

from loved ume tyan

Feronia said...

Some beautiful thoughts here, Stardust. Thank you :)

bp said...

i can imagine how much effort not to mention the love that you put into your elaborate meals that you have to prepare every day. *pat you a super big PAT on the back*... it's not easy and yet you do it so well, it comes across as effortless. but i hope you'll cut yourself some slack, as u did on that mon nite, preparing simpler dishes that i'm sure are just as scrumptious!

u r such a blessing, Stardust... as u continue to give, u be so blessed n receive much more than what u ask for, dear!

and yes, i need to be more thankful!