Today during Sacrament meeting, one of the speakers spoke on being thankful. It was a great talk. Perfect for not only this time of year, but all year round. She put things into perspective. Materialism. It's rampant. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries. You might not think you are wealthy, but you are. Did you know that if you do NOT have a dirt floor in your house, you are in the top 50% of wealthy people? If you have a door AND a window in your house, YOU are in the top 20% of wealthy people. Do you have a car, tv, vcr, microwave oven and computer? That number drops YOU into the 1% of the ELITE. That means I am wealthy. What do I have to complain about? NOTHING. I have a wonderful, comfortable home with running water, heat and electricity. I have a healthy family. I have clothes on my back and food on my table. I might not have the latest/greatest, but I have what I need. For THAT...I am grateful.
Perspective...it's a wonderful word.
11 comments:
WELL SAID!
i have to argue the heat thing a little ;) i wonder sometimes if my house does have heat.
No really, we are EXTREMELY rich, in so many ways.
Thanks
great post. we live in a world where nobody ever seems to have enough - or so they think!!
I wish I could truly teach my children these facts..they have no real concept, cutting back, saving money for charities overseas helps...but we really live in a material world and expect a lot still.
I guess that means much will be expected of us!
thanks Becky, we are truly blessedto have the lifestyle we do, we have it pretty easy compared to a lot of the world. I complain because I commute 52 miles each way to work, I should feel blessed that I am commuting to work in a convertible and more importantly have a job, home, family and toys. Perspective is a great thing, thanks for sharing it with me.
I served my mission in a third world country and I saw dirt floors and tin roofs and people poor as ever. It was very hard to see but made me so thankful for what I have and that I live in the U.S.A.
When we went to the Marshall Islands to adopt our son, I vowed to never complain again about what I didn't have. I need to go back for another visit.
Thanks for the reminder. I am so richly blessed!
You are so great Becky! I am blessed because I know you. I definately can testify that we are so oblivious to what most people in the world live on. I is nice to have the little reminders once in a while. Thanks for sharing.
Perspective and gratitude are TWO great words. Great post.
I like how she put in that kind of perspective, its so true!! We actually gave a talk thanksgiving weekend on gratitude and that was actually what I talked about, materialism and how the world makes you think your not happy until you have bigger and better. I should put in my blog. Thanks for sharing that!
Here here! We are so blessed!
I too gave a talk last Sunday and included materialism and gratitude.
I am so grateful for the gospel and the eternal perspective it gives me and my children. Thanks for sharing.
love
mom
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