Be aware...this could get a little preachy. I am standing in front of my soap box, about to jump on.
It seems lately that I hear people complaining about their lives..."life is so unfair, I want the latest iPhone, newest car, I haven't been given the same opportunities as so and so, I always struggle...." Fill in the blank. Here is where my issue come in...
Let me tell you that if you were born in this country, you started out ahead of the gang. Please know that I am not making light of some very real struggles in this life - with people in this country - but I'm growing a bit weary of people believing that if they can't afford a car that cost $40k or a house seven times that amount then you are suffering. Or, because you were raised by poor parents, or incompetant parents, or whatever then you just couldn't get ahead in life. Really? See, I just don't agree with that. It might not be easy, but you can do it.
Today I was reading an article about a city in Iran where the Chief of Police has come out and said that they are going to start rounding up women that look too tan and putting them in prison for violating Islamic law. That is a very real threat. You want to know someone that is not given an opportunity? Talk to those women. It is believed that those women are the reason that earthquakes are happening. Or read the articles about the young girls sold off, without any say, and married to these men that have absolute control over everything in their lives. There is someone that doesn't have an opportunity. Or look at all the young children who are orphans - fending for themselves and trying to make it and maybe even providing for their families, too. These are real people - with very real problems.
I'm not trying to sound like an add for "Save the Children" which we've seen so many times, we either have grown immune to the images, or we change the channel in fear of feeling too much or overwhelmed by the massive scope of the issues. I just wish we - myself included - would take a moment to look around and be thankful. You see, as trivial as it is, I'm going to go to the beach this weekend...I'm going to get sun on my face, and no one is going to be looking to persecute me for violating a law. I am going to go to church on Sunday and openly worship in the way I want to worship and I won't worry about being thrown into prison. I'm going to go to work, openly communicate with people of all backgrounds, all religions, all points of view, and we are not worried about being afraid for agreeing or disagreeing with a certain political view.
We really need to open our eyes to a world view...not just a view of our own homes. Yes, you can even have a world view if you have only lived in one place your entire life. It's about opening your heart, and your mind to see other situations around you. It's about being thankful for where you are and maybe being able to help someone else - whether that person is next door, in another city, state or even in another country.
You see, I hope that my heart is never hardened to those around me. I truly desire to still be able to be moved by another person's situation. I want to be able to reach out with love to those around me, and not get so wrapped up in my day to day that I am blinded to the needs of others.
On a different note...I know it's not Memorial Day or Veteran's Day, but I was also thinking today about how thankful I am for the people who have served in the military. I'm thankful for those that are going out - even right now as I lie in my bed and type this blog - and helping to keep this country safe...helping to keep other countries safe. They have made sacrificies that I can't imagine. From leaving their families to paying the ultimate price, these people have done something for this country that I haven't done and for that I am thankful. Anyways, thanks to all of my friends who have served or are still serving.
I hope y'all have a good night!
