Taken For Granted: Part I

There are lots of things in life that we all take for granted on a daily basis. We never even stop to realize just how profoundly different our lives would be if not for these things. What I am thinking about doing every few blog posts is to take a few minutes to briefly look at some things in life that we easily forget the value of simply because we use them so frequently or because their use is so commonplace in our lives that we've come to think of them as natural.

For example: Literacy.

Most of us learned to read and write at such an early age that we have little to no memories of not being able to do so. We need to be grateful that we live in a society in which reading and writing are taught for free to everyone very early on. Many people in the world don't have this luxury, and I don't think the use of that word is an overstatement. Widespread literacy is a very recent development for human civilization. For most of our history, all or nearly all of humanity has not had the gift of
literacy.

Our lives are so enriched by this tool in so many ways. Here are just a few ways in which literacy affects our lives on a daily basis, but for which we give little to no thought:

• We don't have to take what we are taught unquestioned. We have the ability to question and to test what our teachers, religious leaders, or anyone else reveals to us. Just imagine if we weren't able to access our sacred texts, Google, textbooks, or any other written sources. We'd have no personal devotions or meditations, no literary enjoyment, and such limited knowledge. We aren't blind to question a superior educated elite and that is enormous power.
• We can understand our rights. Most modern nations have constitutions that spell individual rights and/or the limits of government power. This protects citizens from abuse and gives them the ability to pursue lives of increased quality.
• We can research. When was the last day that went by that you didn't use Google to look something up?
• We can stay informed. An informed populace is also a new phenomenon-if we can be called that now. We can read news, sports, current events, pop culture, or any other area of knowledge or entertainment on our own without having to be informed by others.
• We can follow recipes. Imagine if everyone could only prepare food from memory or trial and error-not only at home, but also at restaurants!
• We can use computers or smart phones. We would not be able to look up directions or restaurant and book reviews if not for the ability to read and write words. We could not follow others or express ourselves on social media. What a sad life that would be!
• We can read for pleasure or growth. We can read to amuse or enrich ourselves. As a result of literacy so many amazing pieces of writing and story telling have been composed. As a result of literacy we are also able to consume those ourselves. Can you imagine what a low quality of life we'd have if we weren't able to read the Harry Potter books?
• We can travel on our own. We can follow directions, itineraries,  and road signs to go where we want and do what we want.
• We can communicate. We can communicate with others in so many ways. We can write, text, email, tweet, and chat with others.
• YOU CAN READ MY BLOG.

These are just a few of the ways in which are lives are vastly improved by the gift of literacy. We are not born with it. We are taught it. Most throughout history, and still many today, lack this gift. Our lives are made infinitely more convenient and the possibilities for what we can do with our lives and time are nearly endless due to literacy. We should be grateful for it!