When Gratitude Begins, The Struggle Ends
As I’m writing this, I witnessed what appeared to be an entitled woman park her white BMW in front of another car…In Cape Town...on a weekday…during rush hour. The city where parking costs more than rent. Rent is roughly R500 000 000 per square millimetre.
The security guard on duty seemed to ask her politely to move. She didn’t. She walked off into the opposite direction and into an art gallery. Judging by her customised number plate, the movement into the art gallery and pure obnoxious ignorance for — not only the fucking law — but, the devine beings around her called humans, she is a wealthy Greenpoint resident getting her daily fix of drama because her life doesn’t comprise of actual worries.
I attribute this pure silly behaviour (mainly) to one thing: lack of Gratitude.
But, you may ask: “Josh, how does one like myself begin to feel grateful?” To which I could respond, LOOK AROUND YOU FUCK FACE. If you are reading this, you have more than you could ever wish for and are probably in the top 1% of the earths wealthy population. However, I have come to realize that saying this will render me useless because you will envision my immediate death because I “offended” you.
So. Let’s brain storm solutions together. Because hey, lets face it — we’re in this shit show we call life together and we are not getting out alive. I will add, it is easy for me to write this because I am of the age of 23, have no kids and little responsibility. But, this doesn’t mean I can’t take an objective stance on the matter. Fuck, maybe the entitled Capetonian Yoga mom was having a bad morning when the barista at Starbucks put 1% dairy instead of 2.5%. Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.
Potential Solution 1
It’s not easy and it may not be what you want to hear, but, meditate. You don’t have to sit for hours on end, just 5-10 minutes in the morning will do. Download an App called Headspace or Oak — these are great guided tools for beginners. Meditation has changed my life.
Potential Solution 2
Journal. Write your shit down daily. Again, you don’t have to write a book, all I’m saying is 1-4 lines of what you are thankful for and some affirmations. Example: I, Lindsey Van Vuuran (the entitled bitch), am kindness and I’m tankful for my children and this beautiful car I just parked in font of another persons beautiful car.
Proximity is Power. I’ve mentioned this before and I will again. With that power, comes responsibility. It’s your responsibility to exuberate good vibes and positive energy into this world.
When you act like Lindsey, you are trapped in a reflective bubble — also known as your ego — and, when it comes into contact with others, it can be toxic. Gratitude is the antidote.
Be grateful.
Oh, and before I leave you to your weekend, I just have one thing to mention: a thank you and smile goes a long way. Especially to the waiters that serve you.
Much love, Joshy — Ground Art Café, Cape Town