I’ve recently read a sad story about a 20-year long girl living in a remote village somewhere in Myanmar. She lost her father at the age of 10, was traded for marriage at 13, and gave birth to 2 children. She lives without electricity, shoes or sandals. Her story touched my heart. Her life is very different from mine. I finished reading her story, and looked around me. I remembered the glass of wine I often have with my husband (sometimes white, sometimes red), my cellphone, the creamer I use in my coffee everyday, my credit card, the shower I take every evening before bed and the natural moisturizing body wash (no parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates or phthalates), my towels, my books, my everyday sunrise and my everyday sunset. And I felt guilty; and almost ashamed, especially for the days when I got upset because I broke a nail.
I looked around me and I realized, once again, how lucky I am to have the sheltered life I have, surrounded by the people I love and trust.
And for all of these and for all the troubles I don’t have, I am so grateful!
Life is good! Enjoy it!
This post was inspired by Thankful Thursday organized by Momdeavor.
HostessAtHeart says
July 3, 2014 at 11:11 amYou are so right! We are so very blessed.
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 3, 2014 at 7:16 pmWe are, Julie. We should never take anything for granted. 🙂
pavanneh says
July 3, 2014 at 11:44 amGreat post! It is so easy to forget to be thankful.
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 3, 2014 at 7:19 pmWe easily become accustomed to everything we have good in our lives, and then we forget to appreciate them. We shouldn’t. Thank you for visiting. 🙂
live2laugh4love says
July 3, 2014 at 3:58 pmWe are a blessed people. We so easily forget how good we have it. Yes there are those here in America that live on the streets, I think they even have it better then the young woman you are speaking of. She in was really just a slave! I count myself blessed. 😀
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 3, 2014 at 7:24 pmYou are right! Joseph Wood Krutch said: “Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude.” Just be happy, live2laugh4love! 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
live2laugh4love says
July 3, 2014 at 8:20 pmHappiness is a wonderful place to abide~
simplelivingover50 says
July 3, 2014 at 5:27 pmExcellent Post! It is good to practive the attitude of gratitude. There is so much that is wrong in the world, at least from my perspective. On the other hand I remember being in parts of the world where people lived with so much less than I did as far as comforts and material things are concerned. But what I did notice was that they lived with so much more joy in their lives than most people I know.
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 3, 2014 at 7:33 pmIt is true! Maybe we should reconsider many of the so called “values” of modern world. We should spend more time reconnection with the nature and with ourselves. Maybe we should all go back to “simple living” at any age. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
simplelivingover50 says
July 3, 2014 at 7:54 pmYea, I don’t know what the answer is, or if there really is an answer. I suppose each of us can just do what we can with what we have and manage to keep our circles in balance. I believe that one person can not help everyone, but if everyone can help one person it may be a better world to live in.
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 3, 2014 at 8:19 pmWe should all start by trying to be more patient with ourselves and with people around us, and more compassionate. “Good begets good.” Ah, and we should smile more often. Believe me – it works! 🙂
Holistic Wayfarer says
July 3, 2014 at 9:32 pmSeriously! Copy that. We have more than we deserve. Thanks for the reminder.
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 4, 2014 at 7:47 amThank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. Have a great 4th of July! 🙂
pattisj says
July 4, 2014 at 4:24 pmThat is a truly sad story, and we know she is not the only one whose life was decided for her. We are blessed beyond measure.
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 4, 2014 at 7:20 pmIt really is sad. I didn’t even want to recall all the details of her life. Her story broke my heart. Thank you for visiting.
timelesslady says
July 7, 2014 at 1:35 pmI could say “ditto here” to your post. I like to be reminded that I have so very, very much to be grateful for today and every day. Blessings!
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 7, 2014 at 6:21 pmIt is true; we have so many things to be grateful for. Thank you for visiting! 🙂
Susan Edelman says
July 7, 2014 at 8:03 pmYou are SO right! I can’t even begin to count all my blessings! (And what do I often focus on? Hmmm.)
celebratingsunshine24 says
July 7, 2014 at 8:17 pmYour happiness shows on your face, on your smile and in your writing! Just keep doing what you’re doing. 🙂
Susan Edelman says
July 8, 2014 at 10:09 amThanks honey!