When the power goes out

I'm nannying this evening for my favorite little guy Knox (remember him?). Well, right now I'm not nannying as much as sitting on the couch blogging, but I did feed him and put him to bed! And just let me tell you about that...

About 10 minutes after knox's parents left the house the power went out. And I mean it was DARK. Even the dogs were freaking out. Aren't they supposed to have wild instincts? Anyway...

First the lights started flickering and I grabbed Knox out of his high chair thinking an earthquake or a serial killer was about to strike (two highly likely scenarios, I know). Come on, you would have been spooked too. We could litterally see nothing. There was a laptop next to me so I rolled my hand around on the keyboard till the screen light came on. Phew. And then I locked the doors (that serial killer could still be around). I turned on my handy Iphone flashlight and grabbed all the candles I could find. There was no hot water either so I had to make a bottle for little Knox the old fashioned way... on the stove! And then when his noisemaker wouldn't turn on I hummed him to sleep then plopped on the couch next to this beautiful candlelight. It felt just like Little House on the Prairie. And you know, it wasn't all that bad. 

Tonight reminded me of a quote I probably saw on Pinterest that was something along the lines of:

You find out what you're relying on once it's taken away from you.  

I'm totally butchering it, but you get what I mean. (Sorry to whoever this quote belongs to... I'm making you look bad). 

But isn't it true? I had no idea how lost I'd feel without electricity until it flickered and disappeared. I'm not trying to say we should join the Amish and revolt against light bulbs, but I am saying that this idea of unrecognized reliance is worth a second look. 

What are the things you may be relying on too heavily but maybe haven't noticed? Maybe you could challenge yourself and take something away to see how you do without it- so you can know if your reliance is in a healthy place. 

I know social media is a big one for many people- if you're focused on Facebook or Instagram too much you may lose interest in face to face relationships. We had a conversation the other night where I admitted that Ben and I have had a lot of TV filled nights lately because we feel like it helps us relax. Which is true, but now we've taken it to another level where we see more of The Office characters than we do our friends and community.  I also rely a lot on chocolate. And coffee. They make me feel better inside- like in my heart- but they're not all that good for me (not in the quantities I consume them in anyway). I have a friend who will tell you she has an "ungodly addiction to sweet and low." She really does. But starting next week she's weening herself off because she knows it's not good for her (Let's cross our fingers for her)!

There are just things in life that we become accustomed to that can grow to become things we "need" (but really don't need). But if we take a step back and consider, those things may not be healthy for us- whether that be healthy for our body or mind or heart or whatever. So maybe just do some thinking and ask yourself what those things are for you, and then takes steps to shift your reliance to healthier places. 

Just so we're clear, I don't think electricity is unhealthy. In fact, I think it's wonderful. And candles are real nice too. And thank the good Lord for the iPhone flashlight!