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I was scrolling/scanning through some streaming movie choices today. I had been looking for one in particular, and as is often the case, I ended up down a rabbit hole of clicking on one of the other movies that my SmartTV told me were similar, in order to read about them. And you know how it goes...
Some have trailers, so you watch them. You "add to watchlist", and you might take note of which app or channel streams them...
and you notice if they are free or not.
"Do I have to sign-up for a 7-day trial of yet another app? Are you kidding me that I would have to BUY this movie for $19.99?"
But here's the most entitled inner thought I might have/sometimes outer reaction that happens with my hubby (or from my hubby) as we are looking for our stay-at-home date night movie of choice...
"Oh---we have to RENT that one. "
(How dare the world of streaming movies make us PAY for content? Especially when it is an older movie? 😆)
In my hubby's defense, he is not totally turned off by the thought of renting a movie for $3.99 or even $5.99. In fact, depending on the movie and how it new it might be, he is not even offended at renting a new movie for $19.99... he compares it to how much it would cost us to get in our cars and drive (hello, gas prices), plus the money we would spend on food and drink at the theater, not to mention 2 movie tickets...
he is a logical man. I, however, tend to be a cheapskate at times. And let's face it--I am in college for the second-time around, and I am not the breadwinner. In fact, I am barely a crumb-winner in the last few months---so spending money makes me a little nervous.
But I digress...
here's the point:
Remember Blockbuster?
Some of you do.
Some of you only know that word as part of a punchline or nostalgic frame of reference (see: Radio Shack, Boomboxes, and Laser discs).
The thing is, back in the day it was a point of excitement and a total expectation of a fun night watching movies with friends, or date night on the couch doused in perfume or cologne in your best acid-washed jeans and unlaced high tops, to be DRIVING to a Blockbuster to pick out movies (2 or 3, because, DEALS), and maybe even a tub of popcorn with some candy.
It was an EVENT. And now I balk at spending $3.99 from the comfort of my own home. I am so used to everything happening NOW when I want it, and how I want it. OOF. It would seem that at times, I have lost some of the wonder, and I have to choose in those moments to get it back.
Not gonna lie---there are lots of things that bother me about the Speed of Life (blog post coming soon) today, and this is a symptom.
At least I still have enough sense to notice these thoughts and say to myself, "hang on a sec-- do you HEAR you right now, in your head?"
Hmmm....
So---here's my choice today, in the moment. Gratitude.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" (Psalm 100:1-2)
So, sure---I need to watch how we spend money. I also need to watch my thoughts and hold them to a filter of truth about my life...
AND... I can be grateful for the fact that if I really want to, I can spend $3.99 to watch a streaming movie---even more than that, that I have a streaming device. That I have all of these choices. And that I can even choose to go outside instead and enjoy nature---which always brings me to praising God for His creation. And then I can choose to come inside where it is air-conditioned. I have a LOT to be thankful for---
BONUS: Who can tell me what this is, and THREE "special activities" that might be called out here?
(hint: One of them would have been "couple skate". What else ya got?)
Comment below:
