the few remaining luxuries

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“There are only a few luxuries left in this generation; silence, solitude and privacy.”

–

kushandwizdom

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Ok.

Time is the new currency.

That has been the topic of a gazillion articles and thought pieces.

I don’t necessarily agree <I believe ideas & thinking represents the new currency of Life>.

But … let’s just say that in an interconnected world in which your Life hub resides, more often than not, in your hand wherever you go … time may not be the main currency but rather focus.

Focus, or focusing, may mean the difference between simply stumbling your way through a laundry list of moments and standing tall when it counts.

That being said.

Silence, solidarity and privacy may be the luxury we can all afford but be hesitant to buy often enough.

I sometimes believe we hesitate to engage in solitude and silence because we make it bigger than it really is. In society the label is attached to yoga sessions, meditating and ‘getting away.” Big, time consuming, events.

Which seems kind of crazy if Time is the supply we are shortest of.

Now.

The concept of using time to gain time is not crazy. But it isn’t a one-to-one relationship … shit … it’s not even a one-to-ten relationship.

Focus time, silence time, privacy time … well done … takes on a lifetime in and of itself. And it is within that ability to expand time where it projects its real energy.

It is probably the best example of ‘not all infinities are the same’ I can think of.

Regardless.

I do believe that almost everyone understands silence and privacy is truly a luxury in today’s world. We may not say it as such but if prompted I would assume almost everyone would enthusiastically nod their heads in agreement.

And, you know what? I think it will be interesting to watch how people start grappling with silence as luxury in a world where ‘things’ and distractions are truly a commodity.

Why am I interested?

We common folk typically suck … okay … we are ‘challenged’ emotionally when gaining access to luxury which affects us rationally <our behavior>.

Quite understandably so, want to bask in it.

Savor it.

Make it last as long as we can <not knowing when we will gain access to this thing called luxury ever again>.

We sort of assume the luxury increases in value the more amount of time we can rub elbows with it.

That said.

I find I have been referring to my “37 seconds well used is a lifetime’ post.

And it seems once again relevant to this silence, privacy & solitude luxury thought.

In our heads we sense our “quiet time” is such a luxury we think if it in 37 minute, 37 hour and maybe even 37 day increments.

When the reality is, in everyday 24/7 week lives … 37 seconds, used wisely, is a lifetime of solitude, privacy and silence.

Maybe, just possibly, what I am suggesting is we should think of 37 seconds as not just a moment to catch our breath … but instead to breathe deeply and envision it is a lifetime … think of 37 seconds as not too short but instead a luxurious time to bask in silence, privacy and solitude.

This may sound not only really silly but also extremely unsatisfying … but the truth is that … well … 37 seconds, used wisely, is more than enough.

It can center us.

It can focus us.

It can reset us.

It can even provide us the opportunity to then zig while the rest of the world around us zags.

In the end.

I do agree with the opening quote … there are only a few luxuries left in this generation; silence, solitude and privacy.”

I just don’t agree that this luxury is inaccessible or unavailable to everyone.

It certainly is if … well … you think that 37 seconds, used well, is a lifetime.

If 37 seconds is a luxury, and you enjoy it as a luxury, I tend to believe we can all live quite a luxurious life.