Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Lisa Thomas • April 17, 2024

I have a confession to make. There are days when I’ll set the air conditioning on 65 and get the house cold enough to hang meat . . . and then light the fireplace. (Upon reading that last sentence, the words of Lewis Grizzard [which I shall repeat here, minus the expletive] echoed in my brain. “I don’t believe I’da told that . . .”)

Yes, I know it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I’ve been told that more than once. Yes, I know it’s ridiculous. I’ve also been told that more than once. And yes, I know it’s wasteful. I’ve definitely been told that more than once. But here’s the deal. I don’t do it every day. I don’t even do it every week (unless it’s actually cold outside, at which point the air conditioner part isn’t necessary and no one looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. At least not over that.). And honestly, I’m not doing it for the heat.

I’m doing it for inspiration. For peace. For comfort. In my humble opinion, there’s nothing quite like the beauty of glowing embers and dancing flames to banish the stress of the day as they wrap me in their cozy warmth. Of course, I’ll have to find some other method of relaxation when it’s a million degrees outside—my air conditioner isn’t that good.

For me, an evening beside the fire is the equivalent of a long soak in the tub . . . or consuming a whole pint of ice cream all by myself (not that I would ever do that . . . really, I wouldn’t . . .) . . . or binge-watching the latest season of whatever. There are just certain activities that, on the surface, might not seem to be the best use of our resources or time, or might even seem unwise (like that pint of ice cream thing), but the rewards are so worth it.

Is something really a waste if it feeds your soul? If it inspires you creatively or cleanses the stress of the day from your mind? If it comes bearing the gifts of comfort and peace (and isn’t illegal, immoral, or unethical), is it wrong to occasionally indulge in the nonsensical . . . the ridiculous . . . the wasteful? Because I contend anything that inspires and comforts and brings peace is none of those things.

Life is too short to be constantly running from one thing to the next, perpetually busy and exhausted and, let’s face it, overwhelmed. There is value in rest, in stepping back from the chaos and taking a moment . . . or an hour . . . or a day (or longer) to regroup. The key is finding the balance needed to live Life to its fullest while not missing the beauty of it in the process.

About the author: Lisa Shackelford Thomas is a fourth-generation member of a family that’s been in funeral service since 1926 and has worked with Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, Tennessee for over 45 years. Any opinions expressed here are hers and hers alone and may or may not reflect the opinions of other Shackelford family members or staff.

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