Perspective

November is a month to celebrate what you are thankful for, it’s great. Really. But sometimes perspective changes and thankful doesn’t seem to be the right word.

Today, I’m thankful for being born in America. Although, I’ll never be one to say I’m proud to be “American”, I am grateful for my first world. My first world allowed me to be truly thankful for the life I have today.

A little perspective for you:

The kitchen lady where we live, she works 2 full time jobs. Like most Colombians. See they can’t go sign up for food stamps, WIC, Medicaid or god knows what else. Nelsy, is her name. She gets up Thursday through Sunday at 6am and works, yes WORKS, until 3am. You do the math. But don’t worry, Monday through Wednesday she gets 5 hours of sleep a night. Remind me again why you’re tired?

One of the security guards, Darwin, he works 6 days a week 7am to 1pm and 5pm to 7am. Do I need to help you with the math there?

And you would like to think they make decent money, so then maybe you could justify your complaints. But no, they make $12.50 US dollars a day for working one full time job. $25.000 Colombian Pesos a day is just above minimum wage. They still can’t pay their bills, own a car, a house, buy new anything and barely put enough food on the table.

Walls and roof are optional in most houses. All most all of the people living here have no running water or electric. Where do they go to the bathroom you ask? I'll spare you the details.

 

I don’t say any of this to make anyone feel bad, honestly. I just hope maybe, just maybe, my perspective might broaden yours. And maybe, the next time you want to complain about some first world problem, you will think about the rest of the world. And if your ever privileged enough to experience the third or fourth world, do it.

Oh and a little more perspective. Colombia is almost always one of the top countries for overall happiness of citizens. Check out the "Happy Planet Index" here. 

Who's got the real problems?

 

 

Happy November.

And the things I am thankful for?

The 2 children that teach me every day that life is not about me and my happiness.

The incredible husband that would do anything for me.

Being from the first world.

All of my family and friends who helped me gain a third world perspective.

Truly understanding what I can live without.

A god that provided all this and more.

You.

 

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring troubles of its own.”

Peace and Grace