Sometimes we (myself included) can forget the incredible abundance in which we live. Our fast-paced, instant-gratification-oriented, and keeping-up-with-the-Jones's culture can make us focus on what we don't have rather than all that we enjoy.
Any of you who have spent any time in a developing country can probably attest to the striking contrast between that which we consider basic necessities and what many people in the world would consider unreachable luxuries...
A place to live with a roof overhead, glass in the windows, electricity, a means of transportation other than our own 2 feet, multiple pairs of shoes FOR those feet, adequate food and clothing to keep us healthy, warm, and dry. Freedom to pursue our own destiny, opportunity for education, and the chance for upward mobility should we choose to exert ourselves toward such goals.
Freedom of religion, freedom of personal lifestyle, freedom to think what we want to think and say what we want to say.
So what if the neighbor has a fancy new car and ours is 10 years old? Who cares if our clothes are not designer name brands with ridiculous price tags? What if we can't afford the latest technological gizmo or video game system? Perhaps we are facing problems such as unemployment, family issues, personal tragedy, health conditions, or a host of other challenges. Not to diminish the reality of those trials, but when we can stop and recognize the blessings we do enjoy, we will find our burdens easier to bear. We'll be able to count the good things in our lives, however small, and in turn be more capable of reaching out to others in need of emotional or temporal help. I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but at this time of Thanksgiving, that's what's on my mind.
"LIVE IN THANKSGIVING DAILY"...very wise words to live by.
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