Being Grateful for What I Have

15 Apr 2008 By

I’m lucky. Saw this item today on income disparities in Minnesota and it really hit me that, while we’re not rich by any stretch, we do okay. There are a lot of people that struggle. There are a lot of people that do just fine on less income.

In spite of the fact that a good chunk of my free cash goes towards monthly payments of varying kinds, at least I have the free cash to apply to them. Despite the fact that I clearly do not have enough retirement savings, at least I have some. Hell, I just spent a week on vacation. In a foreign country. That is not Canada.

Which is not to say that I shouldn’t aspire to more. Acknowledging that “it could be worse” does not mean I should give up on “it could be better.” Still, I really should take that time to look around and acknowledge that it could, indeed, be worse.

  • http://www.kazoofus.com KathyHowe

    I could have written this post myself.

    YAAY US!

  • http://www.swirlspice.com Erica

    *high five*

  • http://www.dizzyingintellect.com Tanya

    I’m always so tickled when you talk about all of your responsibilites at work, and the people that don’t hesitate to rely on you. Glad to hear they’re compensating you appropriately. You deserve every bit of it.

    um, /mom

  • http://www.caterwauling.com http://openid.aol.com/dcwriterdawn

    Acknowledging that “it could be worse” does not mean I should give up on “it could be better.”

    Well-said. I keep trying to hammer that point into my mom’s head as she takes up space in my house and tries to make the case that she needs/wants nothing and I’m all about get a damn job already and want/need things because you can sit and rot in a dark corner or you can actually afford some enjoyable moments. And maybe even, one day, pay for them!

  • http://sorenson.blogspot.com sornie

    Well said. I often stop and think about exactly the same thing when I complain loudly about how crappy I think I have it.

  • Missy

    Working with the families that I do has helped me to see how “making it” is not always a function of income. To me, “making it” is the mom who speaks only Spanish and doesn’t have a car or child care yet makes an effort to be a part of her child’s education – showing up for conferences and school-sponsored events – taking the help that is offered.
    While I am grateful for the material comforts my life has afforded me, I know that they are secondary to how I live my life and who I choose to share it with. Which is pretty easy for me to say considering I have a pretty comfortable life.