Taken for granted

Mulled a while today, on the way back from the stable, over the phrase "taken for granted". I don't know why this popped up in my head. It could have been from some song or some allusion to a song or - whatever. The phrase sums up in three short words the problems of Sweden (where I happen to live) and probably most of the western world. If something is granted, then it is given to us - presumably from God, the State, our employer or anyone else in authority.

Taken for granted is a distrubing phrase.

There are numerous things we take for granted. Below a short list:

* Lunch
* Busses
* Gas
* Music
* Sick leave
* Looking at TV
* Education
* Salaries
* Religion
* Sex
* Freedom of expression
* Being able to read books

In Sweden, the whole welfare state is based on the phrase quoted above. There are many people who expect a certain lifestyle. When it doesn't happen, they cheat. Call in sick when they're healthy, take time off for child care and work full time. Get "burned out" when life gets boring.

This is distressing. Nothing is free. Everything has a price. Someone has to pay. Someone has to "grant".

There is nothing that is free in life. It all has to be earned. Even the pleasure of listening to the rustling of leaves on a forest path when you're taking a ride on horseback or walking with a friend. We earn it by being aware of it and accepting it as a gift. The giving demands a sense of appreciation - and responsibility. When it is not there, when daylight or getting the morning newspaper or getting a train in the morning or feeling close to someone or being able to be alone or being able to be with friends is taken for granted, then it is wrong.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.