Comments on: Do you have an eye for gratitude?

By: Waffel Rezepte

Waffel Rezepte — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:51:25 +0000

Thanks for the sharing! Your post truly assisted me.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:48:40 +0000

Well put, we do have a lot to be thankful for. It really became apparent to me when I lived in Puerto Rico for a little less than a year. It is a common wealth of the U.S. so enjoys a lot of benefits from the U.S. (currency one that made my life easier) but, there are a lot of challenges. Regular power outtages (reminded me of Phoenix in the 70’s during monsoon season) was one of the most personally challenging in 90+ degree heat with 90+ humidity. Also, I became very grateful for my literacy in english and empathetic with the illiterate in English as I was in Spanish. It is amazing how living in a different culture can increase your level of gratitude by leaps and bounds.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:47:50 +0000

Thank you Susmita. I was hoping to get a global perspective. Having gratitude wherever we are shines a different light on life.

By: Susmita

Susmita — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:15:42 +0000

Yes, we have much to be grateful for in life, even in a third world democracy. Living in India where the ”haves” and ”have nots” are so sharply divided, livng everyday is one of gratitude. I enjoyed reading Lee’s experiences. I agree that Lee can actually create a speech with her stories.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:11:19 +0000

REALLY good story. You should create a speech with your stories. Wonderful gems to share.

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:57:15 +0000

I can’t resist another travel story! A few years ago I was in India visiting a friend when the (at least in my case) uninevitable food poisoning struck, leaving me to feel as if the very life force was being sucked from me. In my desparation to find help, my friend took me to her local doctor. As a white, foreign person I was allowed to skip the line ahead of dozens of sick people, some curled up on the floor, all watching me pass by and me feeling even more uncomfortable as I weeded my way around them.
The doctor examined me (I was pretty sure I had picked up some lethal bug, that’s how terrible I felt) and said in a quiet voice, “I can’t believe how healthy you are.” An I guess I was, compared to probably 95% of his other patients.
Nowadays if a person in my country ever complains about some little inconvenience in her life, I think back to that day at the doctor’s office.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:25:14 +0000

Simply beautiful. Thank you.

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:13:54 +0000

In about 1984 I was helping do some development work for athletes in Tanzania. Full of naive enthusiasm, I tried to teach cardiovascular exercises that would “help to burn calories”. The participants, some shivering in the summer heat due to an outbreak of malaria, expressed their anstonishment that anyone would even think about exercising just to burn calories. They sometimes didn’t even know when their next meal would be coming.
That was my first major wake-up call from my travels. Since then I’ve been priveledged enough to be able to see many parts of the world, and I completely agree with Marcia – we’ve got it really good. I am so thankful for enough food and a roof over my head, and ample educational opportunities.