Todays reflection on gratitude: 1) I am grateful for all of the stupid mistakes Ive made in my life....the lack of good judgement in my youth, letting my temper get the best of me at times, saying too much, saying too little, believing in people I shouldnt have believed in, ...letting others go who I pushed away and should have begged to stay, not listening to good advice, and being an idiot at times. Ive learned more from my failures than my successes and they have made me humble and very empathetic. 2) Im grateful that I had intelligent and educated parents, and a chance to go to a top notch college. I learned to think critically and for myself , which gives me vast enjoyment. 3) I am grateful that I have lived fully in many socio-economic statuses throughout my life from very comfortable to scary poor. Being scary poor and working with families who are SUPER scary poor, taught me not to judge others based on their lack of wealth....(you DONT know their story)...and that the criticisms and judgement of the poor are the often the result of other peoples fear that it could happen to them. And it could....easily. It taught me to not resent people who get an extra food coupon that they dont deserve, it taught me that we all should have healthcare and an education with an even playing field. It taught me that hard work doesnt always pay off, that the American Dream is actually unrealistic and unattainable for many, and it taught me that pulling yourself up by the bootstraps isnt possible when you dont have boots. I learned that conventional wisdom about poverty and its causes are wrong, cruel, and perpetuate damaging class warfare that prevent us from actually helping the people who need it the most. I learned that safety nets have gaping holes, that some people are virtually unemployable and yammering on about everyone just needs to get a job is ignorant and again, unrealistic. I learned that substance abuse and mental illness are so stigmatized and misunderstood, that it stops us from being compassionate and finding answers for those who suffer. I learned that racism is real and crushing, and that people of color in this nation live a very different existence on many levels than those of us who are white and privileged. I learned that acts of kindness, no matter how small...mean the world. I learned that I can live without a lot of material goods...but the one thing no one can live without, is hope. Stop judging and be part of the hope. Im grateful that I learned that.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:23:26 +0000
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