Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Weakless Wednesday : Complainless



















Sometimes I forget how truly blessed I am and that, compared to the rest of the world, I am "rich" in the truest sense. I find myself still complaining about things when they don't go my way, wishing for what I don't have, and worrying about the unknown future. I complain that I don't have a lot of clothes when I can't find something to wear, I complain that my car doesn't accelerate fast enough, I complain that I desperately need a hair cut, and new shoes, and that I don't have enough money to enjoy a vacation, or a nice dinner. I complain that I don't have enough time to do what I love, and that my internet connection is too slow.

What I fail to remember are some things I heard about in Rob Bell's Nooma video "Rich".

And that is that I'm part of just eight percent of the world that even owns a vehicle. A staggering 92% of the world does not own a car at all. I am rich.

Somewhere around one billion people in the world do not have clean water. I can go to the sink and fill up my glass with water if I'm thirsty. I am rich.

About 800 million people won't enjoy a meal at all today and every couple seconds someone dies from hunger. I can't decide where I want to go to lunch today. I am rich.

Over one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. I have that amount in change at the bottom of my purse. I am rich.

Lastly, to give the gift of water, and basic health and nutrition to the entire world, it would cost about 20 billion dollars. 20 billion dollars is what Americans spend per year on ice cream alone.

My challenge to you this week is to go this entire week without complaining once. Remember these small facts when you get the urge to complain about something you lack, a situation you are in, a job you don't like, or just not having "enough". Let us not only keep from complaining this week, but rejoice and celebrate in what we have and all of the simple enjoyments we've been blessed with! After all, you are so so rich.



You can watch the Nooma video "Rich" here for free.

11 comments:

  1. you are so right about being blessed, I too will take the challenge not to complain

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  2. Thank you for this timely reminder. I truly am rich and richly blessed!

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  3. You are welcome Lavon! I need to remind myself all the time.

    Johnnie, YAY! Thanks for embarking on this challenge with me!!

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  4. Joining the challenge...thanks for the reality check! We are so greatly blessed!

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  5. YAY! Tracey! Glad you are joining us!!

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  6. LOVE it!!! I am trying to instill this into my two boys and let me tell you, it is difficult!! They get a "star" every day that they do not complain. At 7 and 3, they are few and far between, but they do try and that is all I can ask! As for me - well I don't practice as much as I preach - time to start! Thanks!

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  7. Your welcome nikid, that is SO cute that you give your kids stars if they don't complain! I believe it is a mind set. If you are truly content at heart (by this I don't mean complacent, just content) then it will come naturally to you not to complain. I'm still learning on how to gain true contentment in my life. God is the only one who can truly make me feel whole, complete and content and so I rest in Him. The more thanks I give the closer I get to living a content life void of complaints!! I'm still a LONG way off! lol.

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  8. We truly have so much to be thankful for! I constantly remind my children that very point!

    My in-laws are missionaries in Malawi, Africa. They work primarily as a NGO - helping orphans and widows. We can catch a small glimpse of poverty through their stories. I always try to remind myself and my children to give thanks in everything. WE truly are blessed.

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  9. Awesome post! Thank you for sharing!

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