Life is hard. No one disputes that.
Some of us go through moments in our lives that greatly test our patience, resolve, and even our faith.
But for all the challenges we face, there are people in the world who have it a lot worse. I always try to keep this in mind whenever I feel the urge to issue a complaint.
Below I've written a series of unfavorable scenarios we often find ourselves in and the kind of thoughts that should come to mind to help us appreciate our blessings.
Some of us go through moments in our lives that greatly test our patience, resolve, and even our faith.
But for all the challenges we face, there are people in the world who have it a lot worse. I always try to keep this in mind whenever I feel the urge to issue a complaint.
Below I've written a series of unfavorable scenarios we often find ourselves in and the kind of thoughts that should come to mind to help us appreciate our blessings.
- When you feel tempted to complain about horrible traffic (which I often have since moving, as my commute has grown considerably longer and more frustrating), consider this: There are people who don't have enough money to buy a car, so they have to brave the elements and do all their traveling by foot, via bus, or a combination thereof. Walking from place to place isn't always safe, especially if done at night, and buses can be full of shady characters.
- When you feel tempted to complain about something you're eating -- whether it's that your spouse has cooked chicken for the third time in a week or the food given at a party -- think about all the starving children in kids places like Syria and Haiti who would do anything to have some of that food.
- When you feel the urge to grumble about having to take a long walk -- say, from your car to the courthouse for jury duty -- consider all the people in the world who are handicapped and wish they, too, could make full use of their legs
- We all complain about our jobs, but think about how many unemployed job seekers -- some struggling mightily to pay their bills -- would do anything to have yours
- When you feel tempted to complain about a cold that doesn't seem to go away, consider all the people in the world -- including children -- who battle life-threatening diseases each and every day
- If you don't spend much time with your spouse, kids, aging parents or other close relatives, think about all those who have lost theirs and would do anything to have them here again
- Feel like complaining about the bird chirping at 6 a.m. or the neighbor arguing with his spouse at all hours of the night? Isn't that better than being in the shoes of the deaf?
- Feel like complaining about all the cars in front of you on the drive home? The food you're eating at your sister's party? The fact you have to walk precisely three blocks to get to the courthouse? Consider this: At least you can see the cars, food, and building. What about the blind, who have submitted to a life in perpetual darkness?
It can be so easy for us to take life for granted and want things we don't have but don't necessarily need -- whether it be a Rolls Royce or million dollar mansion. If our life is such that all we focus on and yearn for are expensive material goods, we might fail to realize how truly blessed we are to have all the important bases covered -- health, basic necessities like water, and so on.
So the next time you want to complain about the food you're eating, clothes you're wearing, or how much you have to walk or drive to get somewhere, just remember: There's someone out there in the world who would do anything to have your life. Instead of complaining, everyone should make an effort to be more charitable and donate to charities, especially as the holidays loom ahead. That will make us feel a whole lot better than putting on that $200 coat we don't need.
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