NEW LAMP
My old reading lamp at the office gave up last week so I had to get a new one. A colleague had time to go to a furniture store and buy one for me. He brought a beautiful lamp that was perfect for my needs. My new lamp has room for two fluorescent bulbs, one of which is movable to direct at the page I'm reading and another which provides ambient light. It was cheap and it's better than my old lamp. I expect to be more comfortable with this lamp and I expect it to last for a long time. In fact, my next purchase will be another, identical lamp to use at home.
Looking at and using my new lamp evoked two thoughts: One, how much I enjoy simple improvements, and, two, how lazy I am in seeking simple improvements. I tend to follow the rule that if something is working, why try to change it. Also, I tend to wait for the opportunity to make big, sweeping changes before I look at opportunities to make small, useful changes. The new lamp reminded me that everything can be improved, nothing is perfect. But, more importantly, it reminded me that I can make small improvements that give me a lot of pleasure if I simply look for them.
I think that to some extent we're all a bit lethargic. If our relationships, jobs and homes are ok we become comfortable, we accept what he have and, at least unconsciously, we stop looking to improve. I see this especially in health matters: If we seem to be functioning properly, we don't do the things we need to do to maintain and enhance our health. Especially when we're young, we assume nothing will ever change, that we're invulnerable, that merely living will bring a happy future. As we age, though, we find that most aspects of our lives need constant maintenance if we want to stay happy, if we want to continue to function effectively. I don't advocate constant dissatisfaction, constant tinkering with our lives to no good purpose. Far from it. I think we should be happy with what we have and avoid constantly nagging ourselves to make things better, constantly blaming ourselves for perceived defects. But we need to strive to make ourselves better to the extent we can, we need to do what is necessary to preserve our lives. I often use the analogy of a treadmill: As we get older, we have to run faster to stay in the same place. And if we want to run faster as we age, we better practice when we're young.
It's also true that small improvements are important. Don't wait for sweeping change. When an opportunity to improve arises, take it. Even if it seems inconsequential, unworthy of our attention, any improvement will lead to other improvements. Sweeping changes are the product of a lot of small changes. Small progress will lead to big progress. At least, a small improvement will improve our mood.
Don't make changes merely for the sake of change but look for opportunities to make improvements whenever you can. You'll feel better and the improvements will lead to other improvements. If nothing else, this attitude may keep things stable.
3-24-03
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