I was driving across West Texas before dawn last month, when the sun began to rise. I stopped on the side of the road to capture it. I drove on with renewed energy and a heart full of thankfulness. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” – Dalai Lama
“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.” – Henry Ward Beecher
Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.” – Mark Twain
These Are Mine
A Southern Idaho sunset.
My online writing circle’s recent writing prompt was to write about what we considered necessities.
So after taking away air, food, clothing and shelter – which are really the true necessities – I came up with this list:
Sunrises to let me know I’ve survived another day.
Hugs from family and friends.
Interesting conversations from any and all.
Books to make me think or simply escape.
Time to myself to ponder and wonder.
Daily walks to keep my old limbs moving.
Hot baths to ease my old joints and make me feel like I live in luxury.
Art to bring out my creative side.
Travel to explore new places and to learn new things about myself.
Transportation to get from one place to another.
My canine companion, Pepper, to keep me from ever being lonely.
Daily writing, which is as important to me as daily breathing.
Sunsets so I know I’ve made it to the end of the day, and simply because of their wondrous beauty.
Sleep so I can enjoy all of the above.
So do you think I want too much? And what do you consider your necessities?
Blog pick of the day.
Bean Pat: Swimming with Green Sea Turtles http://tinyurl.com/kqqd4gp I once swam with sea turtles, off Buck Island in the Caribbean. What great memories.
Pat Bean's blog 
Reblogged this on Divy Amin Amazing nature.
Thanks Divy
Nah, you’re not asking for too much at all. I really like your list, and share most of them. To your list I’d add laughter, learning, and a couple of palm trees placed at the perfect distance apart to hang a hammock. 🙂
Oh yes, Alex. Laughter is one that I should have put on the list. I think your hammock is like my bathtub, which is the only think I truly missed when I was traveling around the country in my RV.
I’m much more of a shower kinda gal 🙂
Books, family and friends, and travel – both in the mind and in the world. Great sunrise, hope to capture some good ones next month in the Lake District.
Jim
Hope you’ll post some of those sunrises Jim.
Thank you so much for the honor today Pat. You are so very kind.
You’re welcome Bella. I love your blog and read it regularly.
Love your post & your list. Let’s see… a walk on the beach at any time of the day or night, a lazy drive down a road I’ve never driven before, the smell of bacon on a campfire in the woods at sunrise, a cup of hot chocolate after a walk in the first snow of the season (not so long ago, that would have been after sledding in the first snow of the season!), sitting on an outcropping of rocks at the top of a mountain trail, and now I’ll add seeing a species of bird for the first time. Fun post – thanks!
I could easily add everyone of your “necessities” to my list. Thankfully, at some point in my life, I’ve done all of them — and not just once. I had a rock perch on Ogden Mountain that extended over a canyon and gave me fantastic view of the valley. I miss that perch. I think I need to find one on Mt. Lemmon that is not too difficult to reach.