I am a history fan. I like to read about history, I like to watch the History Channel, and I like to collect history books. I am not an expert; I just find it interesting. As I have grown older, I have come to realize that of all the people who have ever lived in history, I (and my family) am probably in the top one-half of one percent of the luckiest.
Despite economic recession, wars on several fronts, and other things that can dominate our attention, we live in a time of great abundance and stability. I don’t pretend that I don’t have problems or that heartache won’t soon creep into my life. I know that a lot of people suffer, either medically, financially, or emotionally. But compared to other generations, both here and anywhere else in the world, I – and we – have it pretty good. Consider the following:
There are no Mongol hordes of barbarians sweeping across the plains every other year to steal our food, burn our villages, and rape and kill our women and children.
I have not been drafted into any military service. I am not lined up fifty feet from my enemy with pumpkin balls hurling my way, as was the case in the Civil War. There are no wars being fought in my town, my neighborhood, or even my nation.
There is no Bubonic Plague killing one out of every two family members and neighbors. There is no Monty-Python-like wagon with someone screaming “Bring out your dead”.
When I am hungry, I have enough money to go to the store to satisfy it. While I am there, I generally am able to purchase something I absolutely do not need. Music comes to mind….so do shrubs, flowers, and nice-smelling shower gel.
I am completely entertained. Wii, movies, music, television, satellite this and that, cable, and all kinds of electronic gizmos.
I have a great wife, my kids have all their fingers and toes, and we are generally in good health. If we do encounter some health malady, there is a vast array of technology awaiting for us at the doctor’s office or hospital to scan, diagnose, and treat whatever ailments we have.
Is everyone this lucky? Probably not. But in general, we live in a place and time that should make us thankful that we were not born in the back of a refugee wagon-train, lacking water, food, safety, and freedom.
So next time you turn on the TV and hear all the crap that is going on, don’t let it get you down.
7 Comments
I often think how lucky I am that I was born in this country. People do not, in some cases, understand what the cost of freedom is, but it ain’t cheap
That’s why I play video games.. just in case we do get bombarded by barbarians, I will know what buttons to press and what language to use!
I have felt the same way since I was 6 years old and had my first encounter with a missionary. The average person in the U.S. today, lives better than even the wealthiest Americans up through 1945.
The U.S. has the best health care in the world, but we seem to want to emulate other countries.
I believe that the economic crisis we are going through at this time will result in a huge adjustment downward in the standard of living for most Americans. I think this is part of being in a Global Economy, trying to compete with countries with a lower standard of living. Hope I’m wrong!
However, right now we are living very well, I agree we are very lucky,and we are at probably the peak of self actualization in the U.S.
Fred,
Great to hear from you. I’m with you. Let the everyday doom and gloom we hear so much about everyday be a worry to someone else. I’m lucky too.
Hap
What a great message. I share your sense of good fortune for my family and for me. It underscores my appreciation for working in education, where we are part of opening doors on a brighter future for others, and increases my desire to do that to the best of my ability.
I would just like to comment that you left out your best entertainer; Riley (AKA Foo foo, Foo fee, Riley Jean, Jean, Jean girl, Skippy, Skipper, and so on…)
You watch way to much TV. The History channel is right up there with my top 5 favorites by the way.
Yes, life has been much more challenging for our ancestors for sure. If we don’t look to the future, our descendants may face worse challenges!
Cheers!
JM