I can’t count the number of ‘worst day ever’s I’ve had or how often I’m ‘starving’… Even when I say ‘I don’t have enough money’ what I mean is I don’t have extra this week, and why do I insist so often that things were a ‘nightmare’ when actually things were just a bit tricky?!
We all use exaggeration for effect. To make a point. Especially when we want to show how unfortunate we are. Why is that? And the danger is that we can begin to believe our own script.
So here’s a reality check:
• If we woke up today with more health than illness, we are more fortunate than one million people who will not survive the week.
• If we have never been shot at, or imprisoned, or tortured, or starved, we are more fortunate than 500 million people in the world.
• If we have food in the fridge, clothes on our back and a roof overhead, we are more fortunate than 75% of the people on this planet.
And here’s the big one - If we have money in the bank, or in a wallet, or even spare change in a dish somewhere, we are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthiest people!
Working with those who are really poor, I have seen the world through their eyes. And they have taught me that real poverty is not about having too little food, or nowhere to live. Real poverty means having no choice. No way out. No hope for the future. No real life before death.
I thank God that there are people out there who are willing to live their lives as a thank you, rather than a please or a shrug. Who put the needs of others first, and dare to make a difference. No exaggeration necessary.
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