Rich, rich, rich...
I just came across this website The Global Rich List and wanted to share with all of you. Check it out to see where you stand in the ranks of global wealth. I really like this site because it gives you visuals and statistics that demonstrate our true wealth. Yes, I said wealth because, if you are reading this, in your free time, on your computer - you are wealthy!!! Check it out - The Global Rich List. I stumbled upon this at the perfect time as I needed a reminder of all my good fortune. With the exception of being blown away by the blessing of having two healthy kids, I haven't been living in a state of awe and gratitude for all that I have been given. I have taken for granted all the little luxuries of life that come so easy for me. For example, opening a can of soda or any beverage of choice without having to work 7 hours to earn it...
Soda is not my thing but Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccinos with extra whipped cream are and in my privileged world, the only time association I have to think about is how far I would have to run to burn off the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino...
So,why is it so easy for me to forget how lucky I am when it comes to material wealth?
Probably, it is because I am surrounded by other extremely wealthy people. I forget that my reality is not the reality of the majority; I am comparing myself to the richest 10% of the world...Who have the luxury of worrying about the fact that my winter boots are so "3 years ago", that the paint on my house is already chipping (we just painted, darn it!), that I have to do laundry again or that my car is always getting stuck in the snow. The fact of the matter is I am lucky to have a car, as 93% of my friends around the world don't even own a car (1)!!! I am thankful for sites like this and statistics like these which bring me back to reality:
Obviously, I can't go giving my monthly salary away every month...but maybe I could choose to go without something to fund one doctor for one month? Or maybe, more importantly, I could live everyday in gratitude and awareness that - 
I have a feeling that if I woke up each day remembering this, the trivial worries of my life, would in fact, seem more trivial...
[1] Stearns, Richard (2009-03-10). The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World T(he Donella Meadows Archive, Voice of a Global Citizen, “State of the Village Report,” the Sustainability Institute,). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
2 Responses
Debbie Cruz
Thank you for sharing this. I really needed this. We are experiencing “lean times” and I am so overwhelmed with my needs. And yet I still am so far richer than most of the world as you point out. I need to remember to be grateful for what I do have and know that our “lean times” usually pass (construction weather warms up) and we will “have” again. Yet for so many of these people their “times” usually never change. Love what you are doing! Lord Bless you.
Emily Betzler
Debbie, thank you so much for your comments and for sharing. I know God had exciting things in store for you and your family…can’t wait to see them come to fruition.
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