I am spoiled because I woke up today. I can type that means my fingers are working and I have access to a computer. I can SEE! I am not blind. My stomach doesn’t grumble and I can DECIDE what I would like to have for lunch and dinner. If I am sick…I can go to my choice of doctor. I drooooooooooooove to work today. I did not have to walk. OH right..I HAVE a job. I am soooo stinkin rich. I have a TV and a bathroom INSIDE my house. I have clothes and shoes to give away. I have food to throw away because I can’t eat it all fast enough. It goes bad in my fridge. That’s right…I can keep food cold in my refrigerator inside my house. I slept in my warm bed last night. Sometimes because I’m just too lazy I sleep on my couch. It’s so cozy and big. I numerous warm and cozy places to sleep at night. I am safe. I can lock my door and be relatively sure that I will not be violated or killed in my sleep.
Every moment I complain, I forget about the other 80-90 percent of the world that doesn’t have what I have. Some days all I can think about are the things that are not going right. How I wish I were closer to my brother and my sister. How I wish we were not so divided in my family. Is it my fault? How I wish I had a better job, a better house, a better car, a bigger house. I wish, I wish I wish. These are the real muses of my mind in the car, while cooking, doing my hair. Obsessively thinking about the things I want to have complete control of. When I counter those poisonous thoughts with the things I am thankful for. It’s like a sword cutting through foam. When I pray for those who appear to be my enemies, be it my own family or strangers…SLICE…the hate is vanquished.
Unlike me, my brothers and sisters in Pakistan, in Haiti, on the streets in NY can’t just kick off their shoes and grab the remote when they want to relax and unwind. Many will die trying or just give up and give in to despair. My heart aches, at all that I can’t do to help. As I sit with my family and friends at Thanksgiving dinner I offer a special prayer for all those around the city and around the world. I wish they could be sitting with me. I pray like them…that I may find the blessings in the little things. They may not all get rescued or adopted or given aid but they may survive. They may live another day. Survive to tell their story. Survive to give someone else courage and strength to carry on. Sometimes when the material things are lacking, we may feel that that’s all we have and even that is not enough. It’s time to change our perspective.
People of earth…If you can read these words…you can see, you have access, you are more privileged than most people on this planet, you still have time to right the wrong, to start new, start fresh, go back to school or drop out and see the world, It’s not over till you breath your last breath…most importantly…YOU ARE BLESSED….YOU ARE ALIVE….
Have an amazing day of GIVING THANKS
