Despite the technology that exists to make our lives easier
than ever, we are running around and stressing ourselves out more than we ever
have. How could this be in an age when we can pay bills in minutes through an
app on our phone, without needing to write out checks, address envelopes etc?
We no longer need to go to the library to research how to
build a chicken shed, we can google it. When we want to find a good restaurant,
we don’t need to call 5 friends we turn to Yelp or Open Table. No one in our community is walking three miles
up hill in the snow to get to school.
So why is it that I’m seeing friends, family and community
members more stressed out than ever? We do not live in a world where we need to
out-run dinosaurs on Water Street in Excelsior. We aren’t having to hunt and
farm as our only food source in Chanhassen, nor are we dying of infections
which modern antibiotics can cure, or fresh water our of taps in our households
can prevent.
Try explaining to the starving, dying people in a third
world country with no modern medicine or fresh water, why countless numbers of
Americans are dying of obesity.
Try explaining to children playing kick the rusty can in the
dirty streets of Calcutta how stressed out you are about having to run three
kids around in your SUV to three different sporting events on the same day.
I’m guilty of this, so know that I’m not judging anyone. If
anything I’m writing this as a reminder to myself of how thankful and
appreciative I should be to live in the world I live in today.
Recently I had strep, which is no fun for a child, but is a
full blown nightmare for an adult. Thankfully I was able to walk into Target,
get a strep test and a prescription for antibiotics. I was also able to pick up
over the counter medicine to help keep me comfortable. Can you imagine living
in a world (as many do) with no access to medical care or modern medicine for
something like strep, or the flu?
Most of us don’t have unlimited financial resources, but we
are still much more privileged than most of the world. I drove the same car for
ten years. Many will never own a car.
I found myself getting overly annoyed with the geese in our
yard. I live on the dang water! Many people would trade places with me if it
meant putting up with pesky geese that crap in the yard.
I’m not saying we have no right to ever be upset or
stressed. I’m saying I think many of us have lost or let slip away what is
truly important. What sometimes slams that home to us is loosing someone close
to us, or knowing someone dealing with a terminal illness. Now those are
problems.
Having your nail technician running 15 minutes late is not a
problem. Having to wait 20 minutes to be seated at your favorite restaurant is
not a problem or a reason to get in a huff.
Having your child not get the lead in the school play is not a
problem. Your child not having the
latest iPhone is not a problem.
A child who doesn’t have a winter coat, that is a problem.
An individual without access to needed medical care, that is a problem. A
mother having to choose between feeding her children or keeping the lights on,
that is a problem.
These are problems we have in and around our own community.
This is why we need to continue to support organizations like ResourceWest and
the ICA Food Shelf.
This is why we need to check ourselves the next time we are
complaining about how stressed we are because we are leaving on vacation to Hawaii
in four days and just can’t get everything done.
The next time you are feeling overwhelmed and you feel the
need to complain or whine ask yourself, do I have a safe place to sleep,
healthy food to eat and friends and family who love me, am I being chased by a
dinosaur? If you have those things and a T-Rex is not on your heels, sit down
shut up and bask in the glow of everything you are grateful for.
Imperfectly Yours,
Natalie
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