Last night during one of my somnambulisitc states, it occured to me what wonderful technology we have in toilets and indoor plumbing. Kids, today, growing up are growing up in a media world they take for granted. When I was a kid, black and white television was a marvel!For my dad, indoor plumbing was a miracle. No more outhouses and carrying water into the house. It is even another miracle of heating your house with gas and simply turning up the thermostat rather than having no alternative other than wood or cow dung.
I used to heat with wood when I lived out in the country during my 'back-to-nature' stage of life. Lots of hard work and diligence is needed. I wouldn't change the experience as it does make me appreciate modern conveniences.
We should be appreciative of these convenience, these luxuries that were once hi tech in their day. When we grow up with them we take them for granted. Not having them makes you aware of how dependent and important they are in your life.
Did you ever have the hot water stop being hot mid-shower? When the water heater goes it can throw you for a loop. Indoor plumbing with heated water....Wow! What a concept. Once while I was living deep in the Minnesota woods in this little cabin the electricity went out. No electricity to even run my water pumps and it was mid-December. Cold and snow prevail in Minnesota at this time. I hauled in snow and filled my bath tub to melt on my wood stove to use for washing. Thank goodness I had wood heat and enough wood for the winter. It took about two weeks to get someone to come in and fix the electrical....too much snow and the utilities company didn't like my long driveway.
So, last night, snuggled in bed I was feeling very thankful for toilets, indoor plumbing, water heaters, gas heat and modern conveniences. It is important to be thankful and respectful to these insentient beings. They make our lives wonderful.
Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen
