Monday, November 12. 2007
Lucky To Be Me
Today is the twelfth of NaBloPoMo. I have vowed to write about things for which I am thankful each day of November.
Today I am thinking about what it means to me to have been born in the United States. When I was ten years old my sister got me a subscription to National Geographic for Kids. It was my first exposure to people who lived in other parts of the world. I remember having a revelation...that I could have just as easily been born in India or Africa as New Jersey. I tried imagining being me on the inside, but looking different and living differently. It kind of blew my mind, because I had very limited experience with diversity. In my house, those who were different from us were known as Protestants.
Today I am thinking about what it means to me to have been born in the United States. When I was ten years old my sister got me a subscription to National Geographic for Kids. It was my first exposure to people who lived in other parts of the world. I remember having a revelation...that I could have just as easily been born in India or Africa as New Jersey. I tried imagining being me on the inside, but looking different and living differently. It kind of blew my mind, because I had very limited experience with diversity. In my house, those who were different from us were known as Protestants.
I am thankful for having been born in the United States. I have never known war in my homeland. I have never known starvation. I have never known poverty. I have never known widespread discrimination. I have never been prevented from exercising free speech. I have had access to education, culture, healthcare, sanitation and drinkable water. I also live among some of the most scenic places on the planet, in one of the most livable climates. Not many residents of the earth can say all that.Of course, adverse conditions have and do exist in our own country, and it is unfortunate. It is far from the average citizen's experience of being an American, however. So, as much I could rail today against the rotten conditions we poor Americans have to endure, I'll get around to feeling sorry for us all another day. Let's face it...we could have it a lot worse!
I'm not automatically entitled to this privileged life. As much as I am fortunate to be an American, I feel that I must earn it. To quote Spiderman, - as I often do - "With great power comes great responsibility." I must do something meaningful with these gifts I've been granted. I must use my advantages to the advantage to others. With our basic needs taken care of, we start so much farther up the ladder than so many others to make something of ourselves, our nation and the world. If greed, egocentrism and a sense of entitlement doesn't block our view of what is right, that is.
I am thankful for the choice and the chance to make the privileges I enjoy mean something.
Being American should mean more than I can have more...It should mean I can give more.
Trackbacks
Timing Is Everything
I'm rolling right along through the month of November, writing every day about something for which I am thankful. Today, on day thirteen of NaBloPoMo, my entry is somewhat a companion piece to yesterday's post. In addition to being grateful for being born
I'm rolling right along through the month of November, writing every day about something for which I am thankful. Today, on day thirteen of NaBloPoMo, my entry is somewhat a companion piece to yesterday's post. In addition to being grateful for being born
Weblog: Upside Down Cats
Tracked: Nov 13, 18:12
Tracked: Nov 13, 18:12
gifts, there was criticism, why not here, in the US. The best gift the children received was a school uniform, two articles of clothing. I too at first thought, why not here, in the U.S. and when she said, "Everyone here has the opportunity" I realized how right she is. the children could NOT have an education simply for lack of the proper article of clothing ... NO one in the US is denied the right to an education ... the key to achieve most dreams.
I'm so glad to see that you've been at my site! Thanks so much for reading and for your thoughtful comments!
I think you are absolutely right...we Americans are so busy feeling sorry for ourselves that we fail to see the advantages we automatically have over most of the world! What we take for granted is treasured in other parts of the world!