BY SHARON VAN ARNEMAN
Thanksgiving Day was celebrated yesterday, but maybe you’re feeling anything but thankful today. Someone cut you off in traffic just this morning. You’re feeling stressed. You’ve had a hard week. Life sucks. You’re disgusted with Sint Maarten politics! You hate the people you work with. Your neighbours are pathetic. Long story short, you have the blahs and just want to be left alone. But wait. What if I can offer you a different perspective? A perspective that’ll have you seeing how fortunate you truly are!
For starters, you’re reading this, aren’t you? Now think of the countless numbers of people for whom reading is only wishful thinking; but not you. You went to school. You learned how to read and write, and even managed to become proficient in a number of subjects. You own a smart phone and have access to a computer – and living in “Sweet Saint Martin’s Land” means you are free to go online whenever you wish, as there’s Internet connection no matter where on the island you are. And just for this alone, consider the millions of people who would trade places with you in an instant if given the chance.
But that’s not all. While hundreds of millions of the global population continue to fight for access to water that’s uncontaminated, you live in a land where the drinking water is clean and safe and readily available. The building you live in has running water and electricity. You don’t have to worry about where your next meal is coming from – not only is there food in your refrigerator, but your pantry is probably well-stocked too. You have more than a few changes of clothes and shoes, and you own so much stuff that sometimes you don’t even quite know what to do with it all.
You have relatively good health and never have to worry about your little ones dying from preventable diseases. Even if faced with sickness, you do have access to healthcare. You have the freedom to go out and come in as you wish. You can go to any church you like and worship to your heart’s content. You can attend any social gatherings or political campaigns you want to. You can vote for whoever you wish, knowing that elections are peaceful and free of riot. You do not go to sleep at night fearful that you’ll awake to the sounds of war. Life for you is carefree, as you do not constantly live with the imminent danger of starvation, torture or unjust imprisonment.
Look at you! When you get tired of Sint Maarten and want to take a break, you can take a trip to almost anywhere in the world with your travel-friendly passport. And what about family and friends? If you’re honest with yourself, you will have to agree that there are those who genuinely care about you. And on top of that, while so many couples long to be parents, exhausting all their resources in fertility treatments, ready to do anything for the joy of bringing a child into the world, you on the other hand are surrounded by the fruit of your loins – your very own precious offspring. Isn’t that more than enough reason to shake off the blahs and admit to yourself how privileged you are?! We are so blessed!
To contact Sharon, Email: allbecauseofgrace@gmail.com
