just-in-time enjoying versus just-in-case hording

Sitting in the store of Tia Maribel/Aunt Maribel, I watched as a young woman purchased one pencil from the box of about 10. I thought how interesting that in the US I do not know if you can even buy a single pencil. I think you just buy a whole box of 10. Then I remembered a couple years ago watching Xavier buy just a single razor at a corner store and thinking how different it is than the US. Recently I read an article about, what the author was calling, just-in-time enjoying versus just-in-case hording. The point was that some cultures and people are preoccupied with accruing, saving, thinking about the future, worrying about scarcity, and believing more is better while others are much more concerned about the present moment, acquiring what is needed now, not worrying so much about unknown futures, and appreciating the abundance. The article really touched me because I DO horde, especially food. I buy lots at a time (I love bulk items like rice and nuts) and am afraid to use anything up without buying another first. I have a fear of being without in case I need it...whatever it may be...mustard, ginger, almonds, rice. And some, such as my sister, call me a pack rat. :-)

As a watched the woman buy her one pencil, I remembered how when I first arrived here I tried to adapt to the daily run to the market to buy food for just today's lunch. Yet I am so accustomed to a weekly shopping run and stocking up. (Of course in the US your market is not usually a block away either.) And while so many of us are filled with thoughts of scarcity, I wonder how many really have appreciation for the abundance that we are blessed with. I know I often forget and need reminding.

So for at least today, let's try to focus on the many abundances and enjoy this moment rather than worrying so much about the future and what scarcities may lie ahead.

Love and Blessings