Top 10 list

HAWMC writing prompt for today? 10 Things you couldn't live without. Make a list of the 10 things you need (or love) the most.

My top 10 list of what I need to live:

1. Insulin, without which I will literally wither up and die)

2. Love in my life (I could conceivably survive a significantly less meaningful life without one or the other of Mr. Wonderful, my children, my friends - but I don't think I could survive if I had no one to love)

3. Sleep - preferably 8 hours uninterrupted in a comfy bed

4. Pen and Paper - I need something to write with no matter what. Often it's just a little list I need to make, but I need to have something.

5. Exercise - preferably including yoga in the balance. I need exercise not only for fitness, but just to remind me to breath some days!

6. Nature - to be in it, to study it, absorb it, worship in it.  Ocean, mountains, desert - they all make me feel happy and alive.

7. Blood glucose monitoring - I do a terrible job without it and feel terrible too.

8. Creative outlet. I'm actually flexible about what can count for this. When I was a bench scientist I didn't have as much need for artsy activities, or to cook as much.

9. Stories - specifically books and movies.

10. Time alone.  I used to think of myself as an extrovert - but really I do need some time alone. Not a huge amount, but definitely some.

There are some other things I can't imagine living without, but I know I could really. Like music.  Or the internet. Or avocado. Or the fact that I need at least one bag (or huge pockets) at all times to carry around my "essentials".  I'm sure the list could get very very long!  And I didn't include many of the basics that I take for granted, like water, food, shelter, money - and it makes me sad that so many in our world are lacking the basic means for survival.

For lent this year I kept a Gratitude Journal and challenged myself to write in it everyday.  I have so much to be thankful for, not the least of which is being able to have and experience all the things on my top ten list several times over.