Gratitude: Ten Things We Must Not Take For Granted…
“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” Gilbert K. Chesterton
Gratitude: Ten Things We Must Not Take For Granted…
1. Life away from a war zone
2. Freedom of choice to move/learn/purchase
3. Clean Water and Clean unpolluted air
4. Basic Health Care
What are you grateful for today? Around the globe, people struggle to find fresh drinking water, food, shelter and the freedom to choose. If you live in a war zone, the conditions are worse as everything stops. People expend all their energy in survival mode as they flee for their lives or live in incredibly stressful conditions. Because supplies can’t be delivered safely, hospitals lack the tools and medicines to treat the sick and wounded and life expectancy decreases rapidly. Assuming you don’t live in a war zone, but live in one of the poorest nations in the world, your choices are limited unless you belong to the elite group or get a lucky business break. In some very poor nations, scholarships for study abroad are not always awarded to the very smart kid from a poor family. So poverty is perpetuated to keep people dependent by limiting options. Where are your kids today?
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” Zig Ziglar
Gratitude: Ten Things We Must Not Take For Granted… Education Innovation by Willow Brugh
5. Electricity
6. Food variety
7. Educational opportunities
Do you know what your personal/family purchasing power is? According to research, the poorest nations in the world have a much lower GDP (PPP) [“GDP based on purchasing power parity”] per capita. The quality of life of populations, and other determining variables such as life expectancy, income distribution, literacy, and access to assistance are also limited. When electricity, food availability, educational opportunities are very limited, they create a sense of instability, disconnection from the world, and worries about the future. In the 10 richest countries, spending power and access to goods and services are greater and readily available. The things we often take for granted are considered luxuries in other parts of the world, so when we start to complain about minutiae, we need to take a deep breath and consider the worst alternative. Be grateful for what’s here and now. Let tomorrow bring its gifts and believe that our effort and actions will contribute to that tomorrow.
More Below!
“‘Thank you’ is the best (phrase) that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” Alice Walker
Gratitude: Ten Things We Must Not Take For Granted… Slum in Jakarta by Jonathan McIntosh
8. Shelter
9. Democracy/Due process
10. Freedom of religious
Do you view yourself as a have or a have-not? When we live a life of ease; even relative ease, It becomes easy to forget that our creature comforts are not a given in other nations. If we stop to think about our surroundings and the basic things that move our lives forward, we might stop complaining about how unfulfilled our lives are. I live in the USA which is considered one of the richest countries in the world, and I’m grateful to live here. When I think of comparisons of haves and have-nots, I am using this location (USA) as my frame of reference. In the poorest countries, families live together in close quarters; some families might even share a 1-2 room hut, with 3 generations sleeping anywhere they can find a spot on the floor. Freedoms and due process we take for granted might even be lacking. When I think of people who live in war zones, children who live in places with limited educational opportunities or women who live in countries where their movements are restricted, the small things that irritate me fade away and are replaced by a deep feeling of gratitude. Today is a day to reflect and be THANKFUL for what is.
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
Positive Motivation Tip: What do you take for granted? Take a moment to contemplate the ease with which you live and why? Remember to be Thankful and Grateful in 2015 and beyond.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS:All Photographs: All photos Water Source, Education, Slum in Jakarta, via Wikipedia or my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Google+
This is such a great list. Sadly, many people take a lot of these things for granted.
Yes, so many people forget how good their lives are…
Very great reminder. Too often we are caught up in what we think we need not to see what we already have.
Well said… we do and then we wonder why life is so unsatisfying. 😉
compassionate encouragement
to get in touch
with what is real 🙂
Thank you dear one! 🙂
I never take electricity for granted! Boy oh boy I could not live without my computer, tv, hot water, etc etc! I am very grateful we rarely lose power other than a few hours during thunderstorms.
Great reminder indeed. You know sometimes you just need a little reminder to know things would be worse.
I have a priest friend who taught me this valuable lesson. He once told me that saying thank you might mean nothing to some but it really makes the receiver feel better when you thank them.
I love this post! So well put! We really do need these reminders on a constant basis…you bring up some very relevant and important points!
What do I take for granted? Some days, everything. It’s easier to focus on what we don’t have, than what we do have. Our society here in the US has definitely cultured an “I want that” attitude. Consumerism is rampant. Gratitude and contentment are often pushed to the backburner. What an insightful and thought-provoking post. Thanks for sharing.
What a great reminder & list. Where Im staying they are doing construction and blowing up the rocks. Almost every day there is an explosion that shakes my place and even though its going on for awhile Im still startled. It makes me think of countries that are in war zones that go through this but more constant and have to be scared for their lives.At least I can say I am safe even though there is an explosion,
It is important to remember to take and appreciate everything we have. There is always someone who could use our help.
Absolutely incredible post and very eye opening. This actually brings tears to my eyes because so many are suffering and doing everything they can to make it another day. I think it’s so important that everyone realizes how very lucky they have it. If we are able to sit around and read blogs, then we are sure as heck more fortunate than most.
Thank you so much! I am sharing this!
I recently had a plumbing problem with the toilet that meant having to pour jugs of water until the plumber came the next day as it wasn’t flushing. But, it was a short time and at least I still had water, it made me think of the alternative!
Right! I have memories of visiting a monastery in France with limited electricity, no hot water, and austere quarters.
It gives one perspective. 🙁
This is all so very true. We all take so many of these things for granted daily.
Hi Elizabeth,
I love what you do!
I decided to start my own blog some days ago. I’d be great if you could check it out.
You have a great idea for a blog. I enjoyed my visit and even got to watch one of Eric Thomas’ videos…
I love your layout too.
Best wishes and welcome to the world of blogging! 😉
Amazing post…too often than not we forget to just pause from our busy lives and just be thankful.
Brilliant as always – a wonderful reminder.
Oh sweet Julie! Thank you. 🙂
This is such an important post for everyone to stop and ponder about. Every time I read about the plight of women in India, unsafe drinking water conditions around the world, groups like IS, human trafficking, and living in areas with religious intolerance – I appreciate where I was born and who were my parents. Too many forget just how HARD others have it around the world.
Such a perfect list. I have been thanking my lucky stars here lately too that we live in a war-free zone.
I take myself as a have. I have a roof over my head, 3 meals (or more) daily and God who loves me unconditionally. Thank you for this wonderful post. I’m thankful for your reminder today 😉
Many people including myself take a lot of things for granted. Thanks for reminding us all that we are so fortunate!
Thanks for sharing. It is so important to remember not to take anything in life for granted.
Its always shocking to think about the things we take for granted! When comparing our country to others, you really start to realize how lucky we really are! I think we forget that a lot of times
This is an awesome list. I am grateful for a healthy family and a devoted husband
We take so many things for granted. Once things were lost, only then we start to realize their importance. This post is a such a reminder!
This is so important thanks for sharing your wonderful post.
We do need to remember just how blessed we really are. There’s so much to be thankful for that we take for granted.
It’s crazy how bad things are for some people and it only reminds us of how lucky we are! We definitely can’t take anything for granted.
This is a very sobering post. I travel a lot to developing nations where people do not have clean water, toilets, etc. But when I read “life away from a war zone” my breath caught in my throat. We are truly blessed in this country and we should take more time to remind ourselves of that.
I appreciate the much needed reminder that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how bad your day is or even your current situation. God is good. 🙂
Amen! 🙂 God is good all the time.
I had a sucky day today BUT after reading your post, I told myself that I have no right to complain. My problems are petty compared to what other people in other parts of the world are going through. Thank you for the reminder, Elizabeth!
Everything we have is something we need to be grateful for. Great post
When you come to think about it, there are just a few necessities which we shouldn’t take for granted. It’s important to value them and not be diverted by wanting more of what we need.
Yes, yes yes times ten! I live in a country where these things are taken for granted. People don’t realize how blessed they are.
I’m grateful for the peace and security my country (Singapore) has and I am sad that many people take that for granted.
We have so much to be thankful for, yet often forget it.
These are definitely a lot of things we have to be thankful for. Thank you for sharing this post.
Is the cup half full or half empty? I look at it as half full, even though I did not get perfect score or situation but I am grateful of what I have. and we should be thankful to God.
Very timely reminders Elizabeth. I am always grateful for my family’s safety and health.
All photos are reflection of life in a different angle.
Beautifully done. It’s so important to have gratitude- especially for the small things. The everyday things we take for granted.
It’s amazing how much we take for granted. I always tell my kids they shouldn’t. There are days when they just throw food away because they don’t like it. We have so much to be thankful for but most of us are just ungrateful.
We should be thankful for what we have and must not waste anything which is making difference to the whole world, specially water!
So true.. I’ll always be thankful and grateful for what I’m having now!
This is so true. I always like the quote, “your worst day is someone’s best day..”
So sad but so true!Think positive and smile!If you are healthy you have everything!
Everyday, I always try and think of things to be grateful for. There is surely a lot blessings that we receive every single day