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.