a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Comparisons

If we did not compare, would we be more content?  Yes, and hopefully more aware and grateful for what we do have. Envy is a demon but sometimes, it is a motivator.

I speak of comparisons because I am guilty. My house is not Martha Stewart's but I do own this one. My car is old, but it does run. I could list forever the things I envy...and that saddens me when I have so many things for which to be grateful.

I am reminded of a friend, a Veteran who had no legs. It was a beautiful, warm summer's evening as we gathered on the deck with cold drinks to talk. Hubby was complaining about his ingrown toe nail. Our friend politely listened and said, "Do you know how much I would give for an ingrown toenail?"

Sometimes, we just need to be grateful, simply grateful.

17 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

YES! A big fat YES. We would be more content if we didn't compare ourselves and our lives to others.

Great post!

Amy Dingmann said...

Nice reminder, and one that I think we all need to be told every so often. :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

Amen! And, I love all your recent posts.

Michaele said...

Amen to that.

Country Gal said...

So true. My mum always told us kids to be greatful for what we have for there are others out there that arent so lucky. I believe that. Have a wonderful day !

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Absolute, positute, this is one message we all need to heed to.

Yep, our sweet Mamas were right on the money here!

God bless ya'll and have a most grateful kinda day! :o)

Irene said...

I didn't learn this lesson until the second half of my life, but I'm glad I did. It makes my life of such better quality now that I have so much less. I think what a fool I was before. Wisdom comes with age and experience.

Rudee said...

I did this, too, but in a hospital setting. It was the end of a long 12 hour shift when I was admitting a man into the ICU who had spent the day in the emergency room. I muttered to nobody in particular that my feet were killing me (plantar fasciitis), when he said, I'd give anything to have feet to complain about. Yes, he was a bilateral amputee.

Susan Anderson said...

Absolutely true.

=)

LindaG said...

But we are human. *hugs* Gail. ♥

Pat said...

It's true that there may be people who are richer, have more things than us, etc., but you can always, ALWAYS find people who are worse off than us - moneywise and healthwise. Be thankful for what we have. But it IS sometimes hard when you're wondering how you are going to pay a bill and other people seem to wipe their butts with dollar bills!

Farm Girl said...

Wow, that is a powerful post. It is so true, when I open my ears to the complaining I do, like right now because I need to clean house because it gets dirty and turn it around and be thankful that I have a house to clean.
I needed to hear this so now I am off to work. Have a great evening.

Anonymous said...

Great post and so very true! We should be more grateful for what we have!

carolina nana said...

THANKS FOR THE REMINDER !!!!
BLESSINGS
MARILYN

24 Paws of Love said...

very well said. I always need a reminder.

Far Side of Fifty said...

well said:)

CiCi said...

Whew, I read this to hubby (he has ingrown toenail too) and we both did the big gulp thing. This is very emotional. The dear dear Veteran.

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