Thanking things you don't always think about

#75 - back to school, back to exams

Apr 23, 2023

Hi there,

Hope the introduction of summerly weather has been pleasant for you, as exam season starts to enter minds. I’m sorry about missing last week, there’s a genuine reason: I was helping my sister with the cooking, which we ~~had to~~ got to do because Mum was ill (our conversation starter for this week!)

School life has been busy as always, with revision setting into full rhythm at school and home. I’ve also had a return to cricket, with two nets sessions this week and potentially a game this Wednesday*.

Highlight of the week ⭐: attending a ‘Business Social’ at school on Thursday. After hearing from our school leaders, I got to tuck into a variety of (free!) delicacies whilst chatting to our school’s partner companies: a whole range from a professional florist to a HR manager.

*weather permitting of course, a necessary condition for all British cricket

It sucks when someone in your house is sick, and worse when you pick up their illness.

My mum has been sadly struck with some ear infection combined with a cold, leaving her bed-stricken last week and fighting this week as well.

What last week taught me was how reliant I was on her services, primarily in the food department. Without her efforts day and night, it was clear that the household wouldn’t function as well as it does and more importantly, I’d be tied up in more chores, limiting my ability to do my studies and my personal tasks.

The week served as a reminder to appreciate and pay attention to the small things in life that serve you in a large way. The items or people you leverage, if you will: your “Hidden Heroes”.

Gratitude, as I wrote about all the way back in issue #1, is a great tool for happiness, putting you in a ‘have’ mindset and encouraging thankfulness and admiration, instead of anger and sadness. It also helps you to not take things for granted - after all, no one is “entitled” to anything in life - along with a boosted immune system, better relationships and increased optimism.

Let me go first in using it; my top 5 ‘hidden heroes’ (or ‘hidden helpers’ if you like it better)

My mum👩‍👦 - thank you for always preparing wonderful dinner, filling in forms when I need them and caring for my wellbeing
My watch ⌚ - I only realise how much I depend on you for the date and time on the 1/2 instances I leave it at home every year
My bus pass 🚌 - it makes the morning journey that little bit more stress-free, with no fumbling for cash
The canteen staff at school 🧑‍🍳 - without them, all the food on offer at the school wouldn’t be around for me to munch on
My calculator 🧮 - I notice it sat there, quietly, humbly on my desk. Picking it up on average 25 times a day, there’s simply no way I could get through my numbers (and increasingly letters) heavy Maths, Further Maths and Physics lessons and questions without you.

That did take some thinking but giving this activity that time allows you to both find the things you truly couldn’t do without and also your blind spots around a lack of appreciation. You have a go too - and send me your list, however big it is.

As an aside, the sceptic in me does occasionally question this “What if this hadn’t happened?” thinking, finding it pointless since it isn’t reality. Fair, but a counter I can think of is that one day I won’t have the luxury of these items or people - that’s when I’ll appreciate them more. As Khe Hy put it in an article on reducing jealousy,

There are probably a billion people on this planet who would dream to trade spots with you.

It’s only when you have a cut and plaster on your pinky that you realise just how much you use your supposedly insignificant “little finger”. But why wait until then? Fill up your happiness bucket by recognising the role these small things - people or possessions - play in your life and thank them for their service.

Book of the week 📖

I’ve switched to ‘revision mode’ at home, leaving A University Education to practise its balancing yoga skills by being stationary in my room. I’ve got The Obstacle Is The Way lined up next, one of the books I received on my awards night a few weeks ago.