I May Not Have Much, But I Have What I Need
Whew, it has been an emotional evening. I spend a lot of my time thinking about things like frugality - getting what I need for as little as possible - and I even spend a lot of time indulging myself - in thrifty finds, decorating my home, taking care of my wants and needs. I do think a lot about others and I reach out often, but not enough.
I got sucked in to Idol Gives Back on TV tonight and I just wept. I know there is poverty and heartbreak and loss all around me but I get wrapped up in me and my own life and trying to get by and trying to make the most for my own kids that I don’t stop and think enough about how much I am so lucky to have. What seems like so little for our family of 4 is the entire world to another family.
I have an amazing husband, 2 beautiful and healthy children, a warm comfortable home, loving friends and family. More than so many around the world dare even dream of.
On top of watching that emotional episode, a friend of mine talked today of a good friend who lost her 6 month old baby. Another friend, in talking about my new gusto for running a marathon, directed me to a fundraising site for a disorder her son suffers from. And I find myself just in tears. I have so much. I am so fortunate in this life and and while I realize it, I don’t do enough about it. Pinching my pennies doesn’t mean anything if I don’t have the most important things in life, my family and their health and love.
So for today, and hopefully tomorrow and the next day and the next, I am not sure what exactly I can do. But I know I can start with taking the time to value and appreciate what I have and give back in whatever way I can to the friends and beautiful people around me. My world seems small too often. I need to slow down and look around me further than my house, my neighborhood, my town. I don’t know where to start, so I am just going to start by adopting the mindset, reminding myself regularly how great I have it and keeping it all in perspective.
And I have a new motivation for my running. Everyday I don’t want to put my running shoes on, I’ll think of my friend’s beautiful son and everyone else that goes through his struggles. I’ll remind myself that life is more than who we are and what we have. It’s what we do for others.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I love you. Thank you.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:05 am
You are so right!. To often we compare up and feel inadequate.
We should compare down when it comes to material issues and compare up when it comes to spiritual and knowledge issues.
If we do this, we’ll keep on expressing gratitude for what has been given to us.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Hey, at least you have a heart and are moved easily. A lot of this world can’t even shed a tear over the horrible things that happen every day. There’s nothing wrong with being sympathetic, empathetic, etc.
It is hard to remember how blessed we are! You are not alone.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:22 am
well, now I’m crying!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:49 am
We watched last night as well and it was really moving. It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and every once in awhile we need a reminder that there’s something bigger around us.
Love you!
April 10th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
It’s good to step back and take stock occasionally. Not only does it help you reconnect, but I think it also helps to know that our problems are more manageable that we might have originally thought.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I couldn’t watch Idol Gives Back. I knew I’d be crying all night and go to bed with a headache!
Manuela
April 11th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Beautiful. Hugs!
April 12th, 2008 at 6:01 am
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