Think back to your last meal. What was it? A big bowl of spaghetti? A plate of chicken and potatoes? Whatever it was, I'm sure it was fabulous. What were the thoughts you had while eating it? Did you think of how lucky you were to have a full plate of food in front of you? No? Yeah, those weren't my thoughts either. But it should be. We go through our daily lives not knowing how lucky we are. We are blessed to have so much, but it goes unnoticed.
Some people don't get the luxury of having a full plate of food, or even half a plate, or any plate at all. I'm sure they would do anything to have their bellies full. We continuously say "I'm starving" without realizing what starving even feels like. We don't know what it's like to not have food when we're hungry. We can walk into our kitchens for food whenever we want to.
I am guilty of taking what I have for granted. I don't think about how lucky I am to get to eat when I do. I go shopping for clothes I don't even need, when there are people out there who can't buy the clothes that they need. I walk around my heated and air-conditioned house without a thought. I admit that, yet I still think about those who have less and feel immense sadness for those who don't have anything. I focus on things that aren't important, and I know that. But I'm sure I'm not the only one.
I think the reality is, we won't truly know what we have until it's gone. Hopefully it never is gone, but it sure would be an eye-opener. We live in a selfish world. We go around thinking about what we can do to better "my" life. We don't often think about the ones who really need our help. We should though. Think of what kind of world it would be if we put our effort into helping others instead of helping only ourselves. I'd say it would be a pretty great one.
Next time you eat a meal, or go shopping for new things, stop and think about how blessed you are and take a moment to thank God. If you're really realizing how lucky you are and you're inspired to help others, go volunteer at a soup kitchen or anywhere else. There are so many ways we can help. We can give donations in not just money, but in food and clothes too. So, go about your lives and enjoy it, but just realize what you have.
