I am thankful
I have enough
More than enough
Am I thankful enough?
Is it enough to just be thankful?
In a world divided by borders and boundaries, it feels more and more unjust to know how fortunate I am and how others are not. Here, I am safe, warm, fed, healthy… primarily, because of where I was born and less from anything I have done, being born here and not in a place of suffering, poverty, war…
Why would I not be thankful? So easy to be thankful, to be grateful, in a place of comfort.
It bothers me when people say: "you are blessed," as if an entity sprinkled blessings on some and not others. The word blessed is an uncomfortable word for me in this sense. I do not want to think I was blessed; that would make that entity a cruel source to give to some and not to many.
I find myself questionning if I was born in a place of war, or suffering, or injustice bombared by conflict and division. How would I be? Feel? Think? Would I be full of despair? Would I seek refuge by walking thousands of miles hoping to find peace? Would I be angry and seek justice by blood? Would I be thankful for what I had? Would I pray?
Is it possible to see beyond our differences and find common ground in our shared humanity?
Should there be borders? Should there be billonaires? Should there be poverty? Should there be walls aroud our hearts?
Is there a perfect world?
Acceptance of others that everyone has unique stories and experiences and that these experiences shape who we are. It means acknowledging that we are imperfect and have our struggles and challenges to overcome.
Just writing that seems so unfair. My struggles and challenges are pale in most lives in the world.
And why?
Simply because I was born in a place they were not.
Thankful Enough
Comments
7 responses to “Thankful Enough”
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Very profound words. Thanks for sharing
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Food for thought. I need to share with some of my pals. Thank you and thankful.
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Our family assisted another family fleeing persecution to settle in the US. It was not an easy process – even with our education and money – to finalize their citizenship, find housing, and a job. To listen to their story and to appreciate the good fortune that Americans take for granted was eye opening. There is so much suffering in the world.
We also support a young woman in India with her education since she was a young child. In addition, we try to support local charities as there is much poverty right in the US. Our neighbor in need is right next door or in another country.
Thank you for reminding us of the need for justice and that we can all share what we may have with others. -
Love one another. There is no argument that can be formulated that “love one another” does not solve everything.
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My answer to your question is “no.”
Many born in a safe loving place are miserable inside themselves. Millions of people born in a war torn or unloving world are sustained and loving because they are alive and see the beauty in the tiniest glimpses of joy they receive from giving love and a smile freely.
Your thoughts direct your life. -
Yes. I agree with your recognition of this simple, and profound, truth. There but for ….
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Your kind heart shines thorough in each post.
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