What We Take For Granted

It is easy to forget how fortunate we are when the simplest, most necessary things are integrated so seamlessly into our daily routines. It is even easier to tell yourself “I know how fortunate I am, I really do” but I think we really only understand it when something happens. Let me give you an example.

A few months back, I received a letter telling me that due to some maintenance work, there will be no water supply in my flat for an entire day. After reading the notice, I casually let it slip to the back of my mind. The fact that it was a low priority item to me already hinted, in retrospect, that water was taken for granted in my daily life.

Fast forward to the actual day where the water supply was cut, I rose to execute my daily morning routine. That entails, of course (and I hope you all do this), washing up in the morning. My hands automatically flipped the tap on, expecting the familiar flow of water pressure before a steady stream of drinkable, pristine water exited the tap. Can you imagine? We have drinkable water from the tap here - it’s a pretty big deal. In any case, the tap flopped like a loose hinge, showing no resistance, and that familiar gush of water never came.

Instantly, I recalled that there was a notice put out for this. I started to panic abit as I glanced into the mirror showing me a man who looked like he had rabies from all the white toothpaste foam dripping down his mouth. I was half contemplating wiping my mouth with my hands and figuring out my next steps as I go but by a stroke of luck, my mother had very kindly prepared a small pail of water for washing up. Problem averted, rabies cured.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The next part of my routine was to shave. I reached for the razor, knowing full well that we had no water and, guess what? I tried to flip the tap on again despite knowing that no water would flow out at the back of my mind. It was almost a force of habit. This particular action bugged me greatly: it implied that my brain had been wired to expect water, just like how people with glasses may attempt to push up their spectacles even when they wear contacts. It’s akin to having one of those sub-conscious beliefs about the world we may hold but never verbalize.

But it shouldn’t be. I recall doing some water rationing exercises in primary school, especially on Total Defence Day. Fun fact: In my primary school, Total Defence also came with sweet potatoes. Those events really reminded me - a timely reminder - that water was truly a precious resource that shouldn’t be taken for granted. I wonder if schools still do it today. Maybe companies should do that once a year to remind us that we shouldn’t expect, nor take for granted, something that we are so fortunate to have limitless access to.

These days I’m abit more conscious of how I use water, because this particular incident has been etched in my head for weeks. But what I’m trying to say goes beyond water. There are probably many things in our daily lives that are essential to us but we take for granted because it comes too easily. Just keep a look out, your own actions may tell you more than you think you know about your own beliefs.