Little Luxuries That Make a Big Difference.

Yes,I am doing that also 😊 instead of throwing the coffee grounds give it to the plants

That's good. Do any of the islands in the Philippines grow coffee?

Why scales serve me well. Great for resisting missile file.

Hey Everyone,

The other day I was doing some grocery shopping for family members, and while I probably should have resisted, I went past one of those Sections That Beckon and Call You to Tempt You with Unnecessary But Oh So Satisfying Things.

In other words... I went past the candle section. Gulp. I probably should have stayed on the other side of the store. But needless to say, since they were on sale for $7, I gave in and chose one in particular (nothing says autumn like an Apple Cinnamon scented candle!)

I have always loved (controlled) fire. I am always drawn to lit candles, beautiful fireplaces, bonfires with people roastings marshmallows... I just find fire to be both relaxing and (to me) in very close association with God, because of there are so many references to fire in the Bible.

Some of my favorite fire-featuring stories in the Bible are of God calling Moses through a burning bush that was on fire but did not burn up (Exodus 3,) Elijah and the prophets of Baal, in which God threw down a holy fire that burned up EVERYTHING, including a moat of water (1 Kings 18,) the presence of God appearing as flames over believer's heads at Pentecost (Acts 2,) and my personal favorite, Judges 13, in which the Angel of the Lord appears to Samson's parents to announce his birth, then ascends back to heaven by entering into the altar flame. Wowsers!!

What I wouldn't give to see THAT while burning my humble little candle!!

A little bit of fire just puts me in a very reflective mood, often prepping me for prayer and pondering what God might be thinking at that very moment. To me, a burning candle is a little luxury that makes a big difference.

What about you?

* What are some little things that are splurges but make a big difference in your spiritual, emotional, or overall mood and health?

* Some examples might be: a cup of coffee or tea; incense or something that smells good; a moment to yourself with a book or something you enjoy; a favorite snack or treat; a favorite activity.

* What are some small things that are available to almost anyone but have the power to completely reset your frame of mind or tone of the day/evening?

I'm looking forward to hearing people's stories of little things they thoroughly savor not only to learn more about others here, but also to give us some ideas of other things that might work for the rest of us, too.

Because I'm disabled I spend more time unable to get out of bed than most people, so on bad days I want my bed to be a comfort instead of a prison.

Therefore, super soft fuzzy blankets and pajamas are a must, as well as comfortable bed pillows. If my soft fuzzy blankets and pajamas loose their softness I replace them - same with pillows.

It's my one luxury in life I won't like to do without.

And apple cinnamon candles? My favorite! I also like frankincense and sandlewood incenses...

Well, all of us here are paying for wifi, aren't we? Is that a necessity, a little luxury or a major extravagance? Oh, maybe some hang out in coffee shops where wifi is free. I wonder if @JohnDB is going to provide that for his clientele As to Netflix itself, compared to paying for cable TV, it is probably less expensive. And without television itself, which most people do have, for me it is maybe not a necessity, but neither is it a major extravagance. I just don't read the way I did when I was younger...

Hey, if you are disabled, something like the big fluffy pillow may be more a need than a luxury. I pray you have all the comforts you need to make the condition bearable.

I think internet is seen as a necessity these days. It is in my house. So is a printer. I have cancelled my Netflix in favor of Amazon prime TV.

The only show Netflix has that I miss is the British baking show, but since Netflix took off a bunch of the older seasons I don't miss it so much. Amazon prime is actually better than Netflix to me.

Thank you so much!

Ya know, that is the way of things: New conveniences start off as luxuries, then evolve into necessities as all of society becomes dependent upon them. Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be prudent to try living without technology for a time in case the worst was ever to happen.

I am NOT giving up my indoor toilet!

Yeah, that's one of those luxuries that became a necessity. And I ain't giving it up!

Hmm... When I started typing this I meant it as a joke, but the more I think about it... What do we really need, anyway? When people say they are poor because they can't afford the internet bill, where do we draw the line between needs and wants?

Anyway... All I know is I just got a year of 100 gigabytes per month with Red Pocket Mobile for dirt-cheap so I'm happy. For now. But when I'm old and I hear kids complaining about how expensive it is to teleport to Shanghai as part of their job commute, I look forward to telling them how I had to drive everywhere in a land-bound car when I was their age.

Hmm... When I started typing this I meant it as a joke, but the more I think about it... What do we really need, anyway? When people say they are poor because they can't afford the internet bill, where do we draw the line between needs and wants

The majority is truly not necessary but rather, a convenience.

I have washed clothes in the bathtub, hung clothes on a line to dry. I've gone without toilet paper and boiled water for baths. I've left the house and gone to a library for internet necessities as well (job applications etc). I've been without television watching and slept on the floor instead of a bed (cheap air mattress).

So yeah, there's a ton of stuff we can easily do without. But the convenience is nice. I enjoy having hot water without boiling it, I enjoy and appreciate my washer and dryer etc. But I do know when it comes down to it I really don't need all the "stuff".

Yes, we do have coffee plantations in Visayas,Mindanao and Luzon. Those days we export coffee,but nowadays I think we don't anymore 😊

I know a lot of people like a French press....but that last bit of coffee is
always tempting me to drink it. (It seems like a waste even though it isn't)

The majority is truly not necessary but rather, a convenience.

I have washed clothes in the bathtub, hung clothes on a line to dry. I've gone without toilet paper and boiled water for baths. I've left the house and gone to a library for internet necessities as well (job applications etc). I've been without television watching and slept on the floor instead of a bed (cheap air mattress).

So yeah, there's a ton of stuff we can easily do without. But the convenience is nice. I enjoy having hot water without boiling it, I enjoy and appreciate my washer and dryer etc. But I do know when it comes down to it I really don't need all the "stuff".

Ah, the memories. I remember watching my Grandma scrub laundry in the sink when I was little, and they had an old outhouse on the farm. I think it might have even had a crescent 🌙 moon cutout as a "window" (ventilation.)

I moved into a place once that didn't have hot water for over a week, and then only on and off until they finally fixed the problem.

The water in the shower was ice cold, so I heated pans of water on the stove and mixed it with the cold in the bathtub as my only option. 🛁

Had me feeling like Little House on the Prairie...

But it usually reminds me to thank God for the little things whenever I get a hot shower. 🚿