I received a text about life’s ‘real’ luxuries from one of my chat groups. ‘Real’ as in not the things that some people would consider or think of like sports cars, mansions, and fancy handbags. Around the same time, brother number 2 shared the same list with the family. Hmm.

The contents of the list played on my mind. Was it being shared because it was sort of the start of a new year? You know, people taking stock, reflecting on life and beyond. Or was it because more people are placing less importance on climbing the corporate ladder and/or materialism? Or was it being circulated amongst older people, like me, who thought it was a nice-to-have wish list?

The ‘real’ luxuries in life list comprised the following:

• Time
• Health
• A quiet mind
• Slow morning
• Ability to travel
• Rest without guilt
• Calm and boring days
• Meaningful conversations
• Home cooked meals
• People you love
• People who love you back

Based on the 11 items listed, I already have many of life’s ‘real’ luxuries. Yay.

Yes, I know it’s just a list. A subjective number of items. For me, I’d include reading a good book with no interruptions, a good movie that I can think and talk about for days, a yummy dessert, observing wildlife in the wild, and experiencing nature. And, being present in the moment.

In fact, I got more than a passing score. Yay, again. I guess realising that life is good is good, but remembering/living/enjoying the luxuries already in-hand is what matters.   

Time, I have. While I don’t rush through the day, I am not not-cognizant of the ticking clock. A little like  my mum but not quite … ‘apple and tree.’ As far back as I can remember, my mum was a stickler for time. Everything she did was dictated by the many clocks in her condo. From the time she woke up until she went to bed. Even when she became reliant, had no actual responsibilities, and slept a lot, she was aware of time. And, it probably was because her daily routine still revolved loosely around time. She seemed genuinely relaxed and happy when she had a ‘cuti’ day or holiday that sister number 3 declared both arbitrarily and generously.😊

And, like my mum, I feel more relaxed at the weekends. ‘Cuti’ days. From Friday night through to Sunday night, I don’t feel like I need to accomplish anything. I can legitimately relax. Not that I’m not relaxed during the week. I am but there’s a sense that I should be getting on and doing stuff. Monday to Friday is the work week. It’s a mind-set thing. It was the same, while I was gainfully employed and while I cared for my mum. I’m accepting of it because it gives my week purpose and structure, albeit less rigidly.  And, I look forward to the weekends, which is a bonus.

Health, I have. I am healthy, independent, and mobile. Yes, there are nagging aches and pain. But that is par for the course with age. My goal is to maintain, minimise and/or delay existing and possibly, new ailments. So gratefully, I’m still on course with the healthy eating and exercise regime. Yay.

Ability to travel, I have. My husband and I now have more opportunities for holidays. We used to travel quite extensively. Then, Covid happened. My mum needed help. These days, while there is more time (more me), we work around my husband’s full time work schedule. Which works because it involves only the two of us, and we are flexible/accommodating. Nearer home and sometimes during the week, we go to parks, explore touristy places that we’ve heard of and/or not visited in a while or catch a movie. Further afield, holidays usually mean laptop in tow, just in case duty calls, which also works.

Calm and boring days, I have. Between breakfast until dinner at the weekends is spent watching newsy podcasts/programmes on YouTube. Maybe a movie or a serial on Netflix. While I read whatever book that I’m reading at the time. Usually, I get a little bored by the end of the day. Not last weekend. I remembered… I enjoyed sitting on my sofa chair, binge watched, moaned that I had not moved and proclaimed I was bored, and laughed about it.

Meaningful conversations, I have. With my husband, siblings, and friends. About a wide range of topics from work, my/our mum, life, family, culture/religion, economy, politics to health. Different, interesting, and unusual points of view. Sister number 3 and I, occasionally, get on our respective soapboxes, when we talk about God and the state of the world. Hmm.

People I love, and people who love me, I have. This to me is my most valuable luxury. And, remembering to remember to value and enjoy the luxuries I have.