How far we've come...
From miniature suns to moon glow sticks!
To think of how far we've come fills me with immense pride.
I went down the street to get sugar for my garri when I saw a flicker of yellow light from the house opposite the store, and it took me back to this yellow bulbs that we use back in the day. Although it came in different colours, the yellow one was the most common. (Those red ones were dreadful. If you've watched all those witchy Yoruba movies, you'll understand.)
I can remember vividly the day my dad brought in an electrician to change all the yellow bulbs in the house because apparently it consumes a lot more power than the white ones we are now accustomed to. The first few days after the change felt strange, but we easily adapted to it. The low, warm glow of the yellow bulbs was easily replaced with the much brighter, almost harsh light of the new bulbs. As a child, I used to think of the yellow bulbs as a miniature sun.
My mini mind journey also brought back memories of the lone kerosene lantern that always sat silently in the passageway at night. I was never bothered about NEPA's power supply because the mere presence of the lantern was comforting enough. And we knew how NEPA worked to be bothered about the light coming on.
After prayers, we'd carry our mats outside, breath the fresh air, gaze at the stars (oh, those were star filled nights!), and listen to mum and dad share their childhood tales- a time where even kerosene lanterns were a luxury and we should be grateful. And truly at that moment, we'd give thanks.
It's funny now how we've moved on from kerosene lanterns, yellow bulbs (miniature sun) to white bulbs (moon glow sticks) and 24/7 power supply from our solar inverters. Who knew?
And I realised that, we don't see things to complain about until we've had too much of it. When we had less, we weren't bothered as much as when we've finally had a taste of "the real life". We often fail to appreciate things until they are abundant. We only notice what we lack after we've experienced plenty.
Now, I wonder how I would be able to cope without the solar inverters 24 /7 power supply. I've become accustomed to it, and it felt odd to remember a time when I was just fine without it.
We don't see what we are missing until we've had too much of it, until "the real life" is the norm, and the simple comfort of the past is transformed into a tale of appreciation.
What's your favourite memory from a simpler time? Let's reminisce ! Share your stories in the comment section.
And can someone ask NASA what's wrong with the stars, or am I the only one that's bothered?π I mean, what's going on up there?
Your anonymous bestie
Reeπ€
I love the message about appreciating the little things! My favourite memory from simpler times was sharing food with my friends. I remember we used to all sit together on the ground during lunchtime and share all of our lunches together. But then as we got older, things change. Sitting on the floor is no longer 'cool' and we can't share food anymore because 'I'm a germaphobe, that's gross' or 'I only eat x quality/brand food, no thanks' etc. It was really sad how the social status ladder took away simple, bonding memories.
I totally agree about how when we have to much of something it's not enough to simple have the thing, but now people want the best quality of that thing or from most prestigious brand or they need to have a certain number of that thing. And people start being competitive over things that used to be simple.
Memories π₯Ήπ₯Ήπππ
Iβve and will always prefer the gone good days to the ones weβre dealing with nowβ¦β¦β¦.
We literally have nothing to worry about then as long as thereβs food, water and little change as a big boy.
We donβt see what weβre missing until weβve had too much of it for real my sis.