Today I’ve been thinking a lot. Surprised? Well, don’t be. I happen to think about a lot of things. It’s Sunday and time to reflect on a lot of things and today I’ve been reflecting on how blessed I am. I think about this quite a bit and I surprise myself by thinking something new every time.
As we were walking to church yesterday morning (it’s about a 30 minute walk) I was looking at the scenery around me. It’s nothing like anywhere I’ve ever seen in America. I can’t take my eyes off the sidewalk as I walk because I’m afraid I’ll step in some sort of Animal poop. I suddenly because so grateful for how clean my country is. I’ve always taken that for granted. I’ve never thought about it before but I will think of it from now on.
(In no particular order)
I’m blessed to attend a university. Just to attend any sort of university is a blessing but I’m double-y blessed because I attend BYU-Idaho. I get to go to school and receive a temporal education that gives me so much knowledge about the world around me PLUS helps me grow spiritually. I have friends there that share my values and beliefs and I am blessed to know they care about me and love me, no matter what.
I’m blessed to have a sound mind. I learn things quickly and I can understand them. Everything I learn in school is preparing me to make a difference in the world. Whether I get a full-time job in my field right after graduation or not, I’ll have that knowledge forever. I can influence those around me. I am blessed to live in a place where I can express my opinion if I want and where I can teach others the things I have learned.
I’m blessed to have learned how to read and write. I can’t even imagine what the world would look like if you couldn’t read or write. Actually, I assume it would be much like going to a foreign country! Except you’d be there all the time and always have to rely on others to get by and help you out. I love books and I love reading. I’m blessed to have a plethora of books at home to choose from, as well as a library close by to satisfy whatever learning cravings I have.
I’m blessed to live on the same continent and in the same country as so much church history. I’m a three hour drive from Kirtland, nine from Palmyra and the Sacred Grove, 12 (?) from Nauvoo and Carthage and a mere 30 hours to Salt Lake City. I’ve visited all of these places and benefited from the things they’ve taught me. Most of the people here will never get to experience even one of those sites and I’ve been to them all.
I’m blessed to have a home and family. I have a dad who’s always had a solid job and has been able to provide for us. We’ve always had the temporal necessities and we’ve been able to have fun as well. I’ve never had to worry where my next meal will come from, I’ve never had to eat the same thing every single day, I’ve never had to rely on only the food I could grow in my backyard and I’ve never gone a day without food if I was hungry. I’ve never been without hot water, soap, a toothbrush or toothpaste, clean socks, shoes that fit me or anything like that. I’ve always had chocolate in the cupboard and ice cream in the freezer if I was craving something sweet and delicious. I have a mom who’s been able to stay at home and take care of me when I was sick. I’ve had medicine stocked in the cupboard for any type of illness that arose, and if we didn’t have it I’ve always had a doctor close by who I could visit.
I’m blessed to have a house that is more than big enough to fit my family. I’m blessed that it has hot, running water and that it smells good. I’m blessed to have tile floors and carpets that clean easily. I’m blessed to own cleaning products so that when I’m not feeling lazy I can clean the house (or apartment, or wherever I’m living).
I’m blessed to have my own bed. I have blankets to keep me warm and a pillow to rest my head.
I’m blessed to have parents that are married and who have stayed married. I’m blessed they have continually worked on their marriage and persevered through any rough patches. I’m blessed they both have parents that are married and who set good examples for good relationships. I’m blessed to have both sets of grandparents still alive, working, and laughing. They are all wonderful and have so much to share with me. I know I don’t take full advantage of them and their knowledge.
I’m blessed to know how to operate a computer…and then to own my own computer. You can learn so much about the world just by logging onto the internet! Most of the kids I work with can’t operate a computer. It’s almost incomprehensible that a child doesn’t know how to type or look up a useless, funny YouTube video.
I’m blessed to have good health. Besides the occasional cold and runny nose, there hasn’t been much wrong with me. I have to go to the chiropractor sometimes but that’s almost a blessing since it feels so ridiculously amazing. As mentioned earlier, whenever I do feel bad, I can go to a doctor. A specialist if I have to. And then I can get whatever medicine they prescribe.
I’m blessed with shoes that fit me. I’m blessed with more than one pair of shoes. I have my old tennis shoes for dirty work, my new tennis shoes (which aren’t looking too hot since they came to Peru with me), more than enough heels and flats, some sturdy winter boots for the cold months and even a nice cute pair. I’m blessed that my tennis shoes have shoelaces and my shoes with straps and buckles have those in working condition.
I’m blessed to have grown up in an area with clean drinking water. I don’t have to purchase or boil all water I ingest. Even if I don’t like the taste of it, I can turn on a faucet and drink to my heart’s desire.
I’m blessed to have grown up in a country with peanut butter. Seriously, how does anyone live without that stuff?? And nutella. I’ve just discovered that in college and don’t know how I thought my life was complete before it.
Oh there is so much more I could write about but I’ll stop there. These are just a few of the things I was thinking about. Now, don't think I've never realized these before and I'm having some huge epiphany because I'm in Peru. I've known my entire live how blessed I've been and I try not to take it for granted. BUT some things I now have a new appreciation for and feel even MORE blessed. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but it’s the cards I’ve been dealt and I am so grateful!!
