... so that's what Outside looks like!

I think most people would get more out of life if they practiced forced deprivation.

I realised this upon getting the windows cleaned and marvelling at how beautiful the view of Lion’s Head was from our front room. This wasn’t the ‘forced deprivation’ I’m talking about; the dirty windows didn’t get that way because I was attempting some meditation-free Zen Enlightenment – but coz I’m just fucking lazy.

It also didn’t help that we live three stories up, and the risk to life and limb didn’t seem worth it. Funnily enough, though, I didn’t mind paying someone to place their health on the line to climb out there and do the job.

The point is that this small improvement has brought a lot of enjoyment and – I hesitate to say, but here goes – inspiration.

We’ve all been fed this idea that it’s the rags-to-riches story that has the happy ending. More likely it’s the riches-to-rags one that will end in you finding more beauty in life – when you learn to appreciate the small stuff.

But is the only way to appreciate life through deprivation? Maybe.

It’s a fact that the more you have, the more you take for granted. This is sometimes also true when it comes to relationship dynamics. An odd proverb that is scarily accurate is: Never do your best, or people will expect that from you all the time.

There are few in life that will appreciate your thoughtful acts if these actions are constant. It’s strange that no matter how good the ‘status quo’ is, it’s still just becomes an everyday existence.

But I don’t think it’s wise to become a mean shit so anything nice you do for someone else seems outstanding. Helping your friends when they need it and bringing the one you love brekkie in bed should be a given.

The word ‘unconditional’ should be struck from our vocabularies. All relationships are reciprocal. This is not immoral (or amoral) or self-satisfying; it is the only way to know whether others appreciate your kindnesses.

Those you help should return the favour when it is you who needs help. The people you make feel special should strive to show you how special you are to them. It’s the way it should work… it’s the only way it does work and not eventually inspire bitterness and resentment.

So the trick is not to deprive loved ones of our care, but to change our perception of all good acts needing to be unconditional.

And maybe the trick is not to deprive ourselves of things that bring us joy and inspiration, but to stop saturating ourselves in experiences that bring us fleeting happiness.