Mundane Meals

One of the most frustrating things about quarantine is meal time. Typically, I forego lunch and only eat dinner but during the last three weeks or so, I’ve been eating lunch and dinner. The weight loss I’d enjoyed from living a healthier lifestyle has been forfeited. Also, the variety available during conventional times are no longer an option. I’ve been stuck with my cooking. My meals mostly consist of black beans, rice, french fries, and spaghetti. Black beans are the healthiest part of my meal plan and I haven’t eaten any in about a week.

During a chat with Roni, she mentioned she’d had some fish, fresh from the market courtesy of her sister-in-law. I was a bit envious, but since I don’t have the needed spices to cook fish, nor an oven, I can’t really complain. She is a creature of habit during meal time and she was grateful for the variety. We both mentioned how we were happy to simply have a hot meal.

There are so many living in the country without food for today. Either employed or unemployed but without the means to purchase adequate amounts of food. It’s a reality, harsh, cruel, and often overlooked by myself and many, many others.

Today, Saturday, April 18, 2020, I am grateful that:

I’m able to feed myself. I don’t have excess, at the moment, but I have enough to take care of my daily needs. When I have extra, I gladly share but when I’m not able to, I don’t feel remorseful. There will come a time of abundance, it hasn’t arrived just yet.

Roni’s mood has lifted. It’s challenging to chat and communicate via phone and hear her struggling. Mostly from my perspective of powerlessness. I’m unable to offer anything other than words of encouragement which I gladly do but it’s difficult to witness the pain of others.

I was able to enjoy a day of contemplation. One filled with menial tasks with my dominant thoughts on formulating a plan for the remainder of this year. Tomorrow begins anew. Fresh hope and endless possibilities.

Are you grateful for the food you have?

Are you able to help others with a hot meal or grocery delivery, without placing yourself in peril?

Have you offered any words of encouragement to others today?

How much time have you invested in formulating your plans for the future?

Has your perspective changed about what’s possible now?

Do you see yourself with more options than before CoVid19?

How will you ethically exploit your options moving forward?

Be Great. Be Grateful!!!