Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, I strongly believe it is always important to take a step back, slow down and reflect.
Reflection, meditation, prayer, whatever you want to call it -- it's important and it's good for you. Personally as a Christian, I spend my reflection time with God and it usually consists of me thanking Him for all the blessings I have in my life.
After doing two interviews and being at my internship for about four weeks now, I have heard a lot more personal stories and talked to a lot more people than I have ever talked to before. I've realized how much our lives are different.
It makes me think, "What are some things I have always taken for granted? What are some abilities I have that I never think twice about? Who are some people in my life I never realized were so important before?"
I have many blessings. I am going to share my list of 15 here and hopefully reading through them can help you reflect on yours.
1. It's generic, but I woke up this morning. Life is precious and I have been allowed to live it for almost 21 years when many people never make it that far.
2. I have a family. My biological parents chose to keep me in their lives. Because of this, I have never really been alone.
3. I also have an "extra" set of parents, my step-parents.
4. I have always had a house and utilities along with that.
5. I am allowed to practice Christianity openly and I'm free to talk about it with my peers.
6. I was given a mind that is able to perform well in school and other academic platforms.
7. I am athletic. I can walk, jump, run and more specifically, play volleyball.
8. Just in time for 4th of July, I am a citizen of the United States and have lived here all my life. I've never had to deal with immigration processes.
9. I'm able to get a college education and I get to learn about something that I love.
10. I have been hired for multiple jobs and am able to work two this summer.
11. When I go to the store, within reason, I am able to get what I need, as well as what I want.
12. I have a respectful, helpful, loyal and loving boyfriend.
13. I have friends who believe in me.
14. I am naturally predisposed to be a happy person.
15. I have been given many leadership opportunities that lead to my personal fulfillment.
I know 15 blessings is not a lot. I could go into a lot more detail and make my list about 1,000+ blessings long, but I thought it would be good to start with the basics. Our minds can wander from there.
It's funny, when I can spend time with these, write them out and read over them again and again, life suddenly seems to get calmer. Through realizing how much I really have, the small bumps in the road are really not worth getting upset about anymore. I spilled coffee on my shirt this morning. So what? My car got a flat tire from running over a nail and I was late to work. While that's a little frustrating, I still have a car! I still have a job!
My point is, reflection on blessings really does put life into perspective. We have got to let go of the tiny frustrations, because they are nowhere near the size of burdens others are carrying.
Remember, stained shirts and flat tires are easily fixable. Some people don't have the luxury of fixing their problems.
This brings me to think of a quote by CS Lewis, who is my absolute favorite writer/theologian/author/thinker (whatever you want to call him) of all time. CS Lewis and his many books have been a part of the foundation for my faith ever since I became a believer. If you have never read "Mere Christianity," I strongly recommend it.
CS Lewis said:
I hope that reminder can be a guide to you as you think about all your blessings versus what other people may not have. Don't let it belittle you and hurt your self-esteem, just be aware of the unknowable weight of other's burdens.
After taking a step back and reflecting some on our own lives this week, I hope we can be recharged and get back to sticking with the game plan. Let's help people.
