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Perspective

The other night, I was getting ready to make dinner and realized I didn't have one little ingredient. I was so annoyed to have to go all the way to the grocery store for a block of cream cheese. It seemed like such a waste of gas and time, but I needed it for my recipe. So off I went while simultaneously throwing myself a mini pity party. It was such a first world problem.

I saw this video, and I was ready to slap myself. We Americans have recently coined the term #FirstWorldProblems. We talk about having to go all the way downstairs just to get something to eat or get off the couch to go turn the ceiling fan on. In reality, we are richer than 98% of the world yet we still complain about these "menial" tasks we see as inconveniences. Take a look at this video...


So I had to drive all the way to the grocery store for one little ingredient. Do you know what that means?
- It means I have a car that works
- It means I can afford to put gas in that car to drive
- It means I can afford to buy the ingredient I need

Perspective:

Your job is wearing on you and you are tired of having to sit at a desk from 9 to 5
...but the fact that you have a job means you don't have to worry where your next meal will come from

Your kids are screaming and all you want is some peace and quiet
...but kids mean you were blessed with a full pregnancy or successful adoption

Your dog needs to be walked and it's cold outside
...but you have an animal that loves you unconditionally and can't wait to spend time with you

You had a long day and don't feel like cooking dinner
...but you have the means to cook dinner so you won't go hungry

The laundry is piled up from your husband changing clothes so often
...but laundry means your husband is home with you

Sometimes, perspective can be a beautiful thing. As I write this, I'm sitting in a warm house with a full belly and the television on. The people in the video you just watched would be elated just to be in the same situation. And yet, I still take what I have for granted most of the time. Many of us are blessed to call sitting in a warm house with a full belly "normal", but there is nothing normal about it for the people in this video.

We all have struggles in our lives. We all have inconveniences we have to deal with, but we are all so so blessed. Today, I'm focusing on the positives life has to offer. My life isn't perfect and I still face problems just like anyone else, but all it takes is a little perspective to see that most of my "problems" aren't really problems at all.


16 comments :

Melissa said...

I am so guilty of forgetting this far too often. I let myself be plagued by menial "problems," while I should rejoice that I'm in a situation in which I can actually manage said "problems." Thank you for this reminder, Chelsea :)

Karla said...

Wow. Yes. Thank you for this.

Brianna said...

Thank you for that perspective, as we all moan and groan about another 'Monday'. It's so true, and I'm glad that we can be reminded of this and to be truly grateful for what we have, especially when we consider it a #firstworldproblem.

Jen said...

Thank you for this, perspective is surely a wonderful thing sometimes.

Amy said...

so I am unable to watch the video right now (dang work ha) - but you are so right, I am so dang guilty of perspective.

Jaclyn Y said...

Sharing that video. I think about this all the time actually, I have some serious first world guilt.

Happily Ever Parker said...

So true. First world problems are just that...first world problems.

Kaysie said...

The worst part of this for me is when I realize I'm being a little brat and then I feel embarrassed. There's nothing worse than being ashamed of YOURSELF

Haylee said...

Thanks for this reminder. I too often take for granted all of the things I have been blessed with.

Unknown said...

Well said!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this reminder. We are so, so blessed.

Charity said...

A change in perspective does it all the time. Another friend of mine wrote about how even when our days seem bad we are still blessed. Thanks for sharing this friend it's so good to refocus.

Janelle Cook said...

This post is worded so nicely. It's all so true. Perspective is something we should all have a nice dose of now and then.

Melzie at Ribbons and Rotor Blades said...

I love everything about this post. I need to remember this video when I complain about ridiculous things

Neisha said...

This really puts things in perspective. It's so easy to be consumed by life's "problems" that we fail to realize just how blessed we are. Thank you for the reminder!

Lauren said...

Thank you! I hate the firstworldproblems shenanigans! It's just so typical ungrateful American of us!

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