Extinguish
Most days,
I walk past all sorts of stuff
without a second thought.
I’ll bet you do too.
Stuff in junk drawers,
bookshelves, hallways,
under stairwells,
near exits, and covered in dust.
Useful only when?
We rarely notice things
or people
that are working as intended.
The sun that wakes us up.
Free-flowing water, accessible electricity,
and yes, even the internet.
How about that neighbor who checks in.
Our librarian who welcomes all.
Fresh food and frozen too.
The janitors at our gym.
Our nurse during a difficult procedure.
Our friend who calls for no other reason than — hello!
Then there are the plants whose roots keep hillsides from sliding.
And that person who brings a smile to everything they do.
These and more are the unnoticed supports
that make ordinary life possible and pleasant.
Some of the most important things in life
are extra useful when everything has gone wrong.
Discernment matters.
That stuff we walk on by.
Our challenge is learning to notice
before the ordinary stuff is needed,
before the gifts are gone,
before the fire rages.
To offer our gratitude before a crisis.
Because
I know
and you know
we are always surrounded by unnoticed gifts
and fire.
—Suzanne
Footnotes
New in The Hermitess Papers world: footnotes for further thinking.
While writing this essay, the “Send” or “Return” button stopped working on my computer. After several minutes of muttering in frustration, the problem was solved by refreshing my browser.
My own workflow included an excellent example of how quickly one becomes aware of invisible systems once they stop functioning.
Useful things wish to be noticed occasionally.
Which brings us right back to that fire extinguisher hanging on the wall, waiting for a moment that may never come.
Next time you have a moment, decide to thank someone who does a thankless job.
You’ll feel better, and so will they.
Some things are useful only when everything has gone wrong.
Love.
Fire extinguishers.
Friends.
Nurses.
Emergency exits.
Popcorn.
A sense of humor.
And occasionally,
paid subscribers.
—The Unofficial Hermitess
Paid subscriptions help support The Hermitess Papers, even when nothing is actively on fire.
So many people take other people for granted... check out person at the store, restockers in stores, janitors, police and fire personnel, teachers, the person on the other end of the line at a call center. It takes seconds to acknowledge and thank someone. Stop making them feel invisible and not worthy of your acknowledgement.
Thank you Suzaane for the post and the reminder.