Ten Things In Life That Are Absolutely Free

Getting everyone in the car in the morning in time for school is a bit of a challenge. You tell everyone at least 20 minutes before the time that we are going to leave in 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, I tell the boys that we have 5 minutes to get in the car and leave the driveway. Another 10 minutes go by because someone is missing a shoe or another can’t find his library book.

By the time we are all in the car I am just a tad frazzled. We get to school and as I wave my son goodbye he says: mommy, I love you so much. You can’t beat that.

Here are my list of 10 things that are absolutely free and that you cannot buy for any money in the world.

1. A child’s love

It is so unconditional. You can’t do anything to get it, you can just receive it.

All a child needs is to feel safe and to feel loved. It is in our power as adults to give them that. Don’t shy away from that responsibility.

2. A beautiful summer’s day

You wake up and it’s there. Whether you choose to see it or not, it will stay in your face. Seasons come and go. At the beginning of each season, embrace it. Don’t wish the time away. For once it has passed, you cannot get it back.

3. The feeling after a good run or workout

You may not feel like going to the gym. Don’t think about it, just put on your trainers and get going. It is really the best way to start your day.

Some people would love to move a bit more, but their bodies won’t let them. Be gentle with yours. Fuel it the right way and move.

4. A cup of coffee with a good friend

The coffee may be $1.75, but your friend’s company and good advice — priceless. Make time.

5. Curling up with a good book on Sunday afternoon

You may have had to pay money for the book, but the investment is in yourself. The time you spend nurturing, learning and growing cannot be bought with any amount of money.

6. Coming in from the rain and cold and taking a hot shower

The lights are on and you have somewhere to ‘hang your hat’ like my friend Nick Maccarone would say. Appreciate what you have for someone else will give their left pinky to have what you have.

7. Checking your bank account just before month end and finding that you have more money than month left

I wrote another piece a while ago about needing less. The easiest way to lift your mood is to know that you’ve worked hard trying to curb your expenses and then one day seeing that all your efforts to save are paying off.

Savour the moment, but don’t stop. It is only the beginning of great things for you.

8. Having a sense of humour

Whether you are the one with a sense of humour, or you have a friend with a sense of humour it makes life 10 times easier if you can laugh at yourself or catch a joke.

My colleague said something at work yesterday and if I think back I can’t help myself but burst out laughing. It was the most hilarious thing I’ve heard in a while. The best are those who can tell it to you as if they are reading the weather forecast. Enjoy!

9. Long awaited rain

On my grandfather’s farm in Namibia we are always waiting for rain. It is a semi-arid climate with long, hot summers.

The air is dry and there is very little green fields for the animals. When I was a child, we would spend most of our holidays on there.

At Christmas when you see the clouds gathering and you can hear the lightning and thunder after you’ve been waiting and praying for months. It’s a different kind of joy. You have to experience it.

10. Gratitude

It’s so easy to become despondent and question everything. Our daily routine sucks us in. We feel like we are barely hanging on.

Take some time out. Go somewhere quiet and alone and just be. Think about everything that is going well for you. Think about all your blessings. Appreciate who you are and what you have.

11. Bonus — Your beautiful smile.

You have it, you own it. Give it away freely and it will come back to you one thousand fold. Just try it.

Life is what we make of it. It’s in our hands.