I just found out that I'm rich!

I was half-listening to This American Life on NPR yesterday. The show was the audio diary of an American kid whose father is now a governor of a province in Afghanistan. I wasn't paying much attention, but even half-listening to stories about life in Afghanistan got me thinking.

I was listening to the radio in the comfort and safety of my own home. I have heat and running water and electricity. I never worry about having enough to eat or clothes to wear or being cold. We live modestly by American standards, but compared to a lot of the rest of the world, we're rich.

It's so easy in this country to get caught up in the culture of consumerism and acquisitiveness, particularly at this time of year. I rarely think about the stuff other people have that I don't, but I know a lot of people whose sole purpose in life seems to be having more stuff. I'm sad for them, because they can never be happy--there is always another thing they want that they don't have yet.

I'm not a religious person, but in the spirit of the season, I would like to express my gratitude for everything I have. It's a little early for New Year's resolutions, but I promise to do more to make sure that other people have what they need, too.

Happy Holidays to you and everyone else as well.

I have been thinking the same thing for the past couple years as well. When we have money troubles, can't make a bill payment that month, or not able to buy as many groceries as last month...trivial things that are huge to millions of people who have very little if anything in the world.

Are you single?

Cause part of my master plan is to marry rich.

You'll have to keep looking. :)

I often think the same way but have not yet found a way to put it into words.


Cher

and I wish I could remember what it is-- but it gives statistics along the lines of, If you have enough to eat and a heated house, you are richer than 95% of people in the world-- or some such flabbergasting stuff.

Thanks for the reminder, Nicloe.