MY NEW BLOG: The Ciudadista: Life in the City

Sunday, August 01, 2004

Humbling experience

Should you find it hard to get to sleep at night, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard-of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months or more.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what is like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $10.00 to feed her family.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new grey hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemotheraphy who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering, " what is life all about, what is my life purpose?" be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get that opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of one's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember things could be worse. You could be them!
(Source: New Zealand Marist Messenger, November 2002)


At first glance this sort of a proverb (I'm calling it a proverb in this case) tells us that we should be thankful and contented. We often complain about we are not as rich as our neighbor and our list goes on.

Yesterday this proverb took a deeper meaning in my life. A friend confided that his brother that he brought along our house and I have meet quite some time ago has ADHD. I remembered this proverb as he explained his sibling's condition.

Its hard to imagine how difficult it might be to live with this condition. It is also hard to imagine to have a son, daughter or a sibling with is condition.

This poor guy is suffering from a rare disorder whose only wish is to be normal and here I am normal by all standards yet complaining of my inadequacies. I am glad I am at least normal.

This is a humbling experience for me.

We meet a lot of people and only a few can really teach you important life lessons.