I had to snicker when I read the Hive Learners post prompt for this week. If you had to experience one thing in life. Of course having a dirty mind I read that and had a little laugh. Then I thought to myself....How could I possibly write about that for 500 words. So, of course I had to think a little deeper about what the actual best things in life are. Now I am of the opinion that everyone should experience sex at least once but honestly, wrong place, wrong time or wrong person and I'd say it is probably better to skip it. Which leads me to a different path for my writing today.
Life has thrown me a lot of crap
Now this may not seem like it is on topic but bear with me. I have had to go through a lot of awful times in my life.
- Scavenging through garbage for money when I was young
- Watching my mom cry at the dinner table because there was no food to eat.
- Having my best friend die when I was in High School
- Having my girlfriend of 4 years dump me the week I was going to propose
- Being homeless for a month after I graduated
.......and my life isn't nearly as bad as what some people have experienced!
But would any of those things qualify as things that I believe people should experience once? In a way I could honestly say.....Yes.
Now don't get me wrong. Each of those experiences were unpleasant. Plus there are way more things I could add to the list! That isn't the point. It is by going through those experiences that I have become the person I am today.
Who is that person? Someone who is truly grateful for all that I have and all I have gotten to experience.
The power of bad times
In retail I see an awful lot of people who are very entitled. They have no clue what real life is like. They appreciate nothing (or so it seems) and they expect everything. Very annoying.
But I grew up with nothing. It has shaped my viewpoint on things. It has helped me appreciate many things in life that other people take for granted. For that I am truly thankful.
By scavenging in the garbage for things to sell for recycle money I learned the value of money. I always appreciate my paycheque that much more because I know money isn't just given out for free.
Having seen my mom cry when there was no food, and having gone hungry myself I have a much better appreciation for the food I eat. Whether it is the humble oatmeal for breakfast or the buffet at a 5 star restaurant....I never take food for granted and enjoy even the basics.
Watching my best friend die at 17 showed me the value of life and to not take any minute for granted. In that way I see my mortality and see that I should take every moment as a gift. Whether it is the boring ones sitting at an airport or the awesome ones racing around the autocross track.
And of course having my heart crushed at a young age helps me to value the relationships that I've had later. Understanding that they can end in heartbreak or they can be awesome but either way just enjoy them as they come.
Everyone's most awesome experience is different
But I can't really say on thing everyone will experience that they will love.
For example: I spent 4 years trying to learn to play the recorder. I never got very good at it, and it is truly a very limited instrument. However, after all that time practicing I had a truly special experience when I got to listen to Mikala Petri perform classical music using a recorder. Listening to the sounds she was able to coax from the instrument, the skill and control she had playing it, and generally appreciating all the hard work that she put into perfecting her art. It was awesome....and something that another person wouldn't really enjoy nearly as much.
I also have a friend who works as a baker in the Philippines. He bakes cakes, cookies and all sorts of stuff. In that way he really knows about flour. However, one day I had occasion to take him to breakfast at a fancy restaurant and they served croissants. Now croissants are tasty and I really do enjoy them. However, when he experienced croissants for the first time....he enjoyed them in a way that I just don't. He had the biggest smile from a simple croissant
So, if I have to say something that I think everyone should experience once? I'm going to go with challenging times. Nothing like a challenging time to change your view on all the times after it
If I'm going to say what the best experience is going to be? Well, its up to each person to look for it. There isn't a one size all fits answer. Although Boursin cheese on a croissant is usually a solid choice for many 😀
Final thought
And on that topic I had a little parable or word of wisdom I like. It is a bit long and I don't thing it has an author to reference but perhaps it adds to the topic.
Here's the story :
The Servant and the King's Questions Once, a wise and benevolent king ruled over a vast kingdom. One day, he summoned a servant who had served faithfully for many years. The king offered her a chance at freedom, but only if she could answer three questions to his satisfaction.
The king's first question was:
"What is the best-tasting meal in the world?"
The servant smiled and replied:
"The best meal is one eaten by someone who is truly hungry. For hunger makes even the simplest food a feast."
The king nodded, impressed by the wisdom in her answer.
The second question was:
"Who is the happiest person in the world?"
Without hesitation, the servant answered:
"The happiest person is the one who is content with what they have, for no wealth or luxury can satisfy a heart filled with longing."
The king was again pleased with her profound response.
Finally, the king asked:
"What is the most important moment in life?"
The servant replied with a serene smile:
"The most important moment is the one you are living right now. The past is gone, and the future is uncertain, but the present is where life happens."
The king was deeply moved by her wisdom and said:
"You have answered well, and your insight has taught me much. You have earned your freedom, but you have also earned my gratitude."
From that day on, the servant lived as a free woman, and the king ruled with even greater wisdom, remembering her answers.
How to wrap it all up.
Now I think the intent of the Hive Learner prompt was the one thing that people really should try once because it is a great experience.
However, I think it is the hard experiences that give the great experiences their meaning.
- It is the heartbreak that makes people appreciate true love
- The insecurity that makes people appreciate home
- Death that makes people appreciate life.
- Hunger that makes people appreciate food.
Or in short it is the Bitter that makes people appreciate the sweet
However, if you are really looking for that one thing that you shouldn't miss? It is personal and defined by who you are. Always search for it because it is different for every person.
Or just go with the Boursin cheese on a croissant. 😇 That's something people really shouldn't miss...at least once.
Or leave me a comment down below.
I always like getting comments
And thanks for making it this far 😀