Enjoy the Little Things | Weekbook #18

14 years ago one of my all-time favourite films was released - Zombieland. If you haven't seen it, it's probably exactly what you'd expect, a comedy film set in a post-apocalyptic world with a lot of swearing, humour and of course, zombies.

Throughout the film, one of the main characters, Columbus, teaches the audience his rules for surviving in Zombieland. I had never put any stock in this, other than the obvious comedic value, until yesterday.

I was out for a short walk through the fields behind our home. It was late afternoon and the sun was setting on the horizon. My new favourite song, 5 Leaf Clover by Luke Combs, was on repeat and blasting through my headphones. Rabbits were out grazing and birds were everywhere, it was a beautiful spring evening. I couldn't help but have a smile on my face.

At that moment, something clicked in my brain that I'd never felt so vividly. I was transported back to Zombieland, a film I hadn't watched in years, to one of those silly rules. Rule 32, "enjoy the little things."

As I continued to walk and reflect, I found myself thinking of all the parts of life that are often taken for granted - the cup of coffee made by a partner in the morning, the sunrise and sunset, the laughter shared between colleagues and friends.

I am as guilty as the next person for focusing on the hardships in life, drawn to negativity like a moth to the flame. However, the unfortunate reality of this mindset is that all of the good in life is inevitably overlooked. People become hardwired to be self-critical, to focus on the future and plan for the worst-case scenario. They spend their days working hard to advance their careers, striving for the next promotion, but failing to acknowledge the progress they've already made. Society has become so focused on advancing towards a better tomorrow, that we often forget to live for today.

To that, I say no longer. It is time to rebalance the equation. Maintain your focus and discipline, continue to strive for greatness, conqueror your goals and travel the path up the mountain, but no longer shall you or I forget rule 32.

Never forget to enjoy the little things.

Book Notes

I am currently reading Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life.

• "Every word we speak is a gift from our ancestors. Every thought we think was thought previously by someone smarter. The highly functional infrastructure that surrounds us, particularly in the west, is a gift from our ancestors; the comparatively uncorrupt political and economic systems, the technology, the wealth, the lifespan, the freedom, the luxury, and the opportunity. Culture takes with one hand, but in some fortunate places it gives with the other."More often than not we take for granted those who came before us. In comparison to our ancestors, we live an incredibly fortunate lifestyle. We are lucky enough to live in a time where many of us can sit behind a desk and call it to work, yet less than 100 years ago the gruelling mines still existed. Society isn't perfect, in fact far from it, but that cannot discredit the incredible progress made by those who walked this Earth before us.

• "Consider this, as well, in regard to oppression: any hierarchy creates winners and losers. The winners are, of course, more likely to justify the hierarchy and the losers to criticise it."It takes an incredible person to benefit from a system and to advocate for it to change unless, of course, the change would benefit them further. Biologically speaking, this makes sense. We are hardwired for survival, so naturally, advocate for a system that increases those chances. However, as with all species, there are winners and losers in these systems. In my mind, however, this does not automatically mean that the gap between a winner and a loser needs to be vast. Whilst eliminating hierarchies entirely is surely impossible, it must be plausible that a system can be created to reduce the chasm of inequality.

Try this Podcast

Ending Quote

“Enjoy small moments as they come. In the end, that's what makes life worthwhile.” - Nadun Lokuliyanage

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