|
Living in the wealthiest, most luxurious country
in the world we often find trivial inconveniences earth shattering.
Being so far removed by having no exposure to any "real
tragedies," we forget just how bad it really is for some
people. The times we are reminded, on the news for example, we
try to quickly forget.
This Wildman has heard many complaints detailing
just how terrible some people's lives are here on campus. For
example:
u
"I have two tests tomorrow."
u "That girl wore the same outfit
to this party as I did, the nerve!"
u "I had to buy this shirt at Old Navy, I couldn't
afford Structure."
u "The 1 o'clock class was full so I had
to take the 8 a.m. one. I hate getting up in the morning!"
u
"My parents won't buy me a new car, they're
giving me the used mini-van. What will that do to
my image?"
u
"My breasts are too small, no one will ever
like me."
u "My abs aren't hard enough, no
one will ever like me."
After disastrous and horrific events such
as these, I'm sure these must be the most miserable people in
the world. For them, it's probably hard to imagine life getting
any worse than your parents offering you their used mini-van.
In reality, if this is as bad as it gets, we should consider
ourselves pretty lucky.
We are so lucky in fact, I would be willing
to bet that people reading this book have a roof over their heads,
two to three meals a day, and clothes to put on their back. You
probably even have someone who loves you. Do you really need
anything else?
Let's compare the pampered American life style
to some of our world neighbors. During the Bosnian Conflict in
addition to the typical hallmarks of war: death, daily violence,
shelling-approximately 20,000 women (including minors) were raped.
That would be every single Millersville student (that would include
you too guys) raped nearly three times.
What about Ethiopia where carcasses of dead
animals litter the plains and thousands of men, women, and children
desperately search for food to ward off starvation due to massive
droughts throughout the region?
These are examples of real hardships. So next
time you stub your toe and call out asking God why your life
is so terrible, think about the people who really have it rough.
While you're at it, why don't you give the Man upstairs a break
because I'm sure he's got bigger things to worry about than your
stubbed toe and listening to your depressing hymns.
In closing, when I hear people talk of how
unlucky and terrible things are for them, I'm reminded of a Native
American tale.
"There was a warrior who had a fine
stallion. Everyone said how lucky he was to have such a horse.
Maybe,' he said.
One day the stallion ran off. The people
said the warrior was unlucky.
'Maybe,' he said.
The next day, the stallion returned, leading
a string of fine ponies. The people said it was very lucky.
'Maybe,' the warrior said.
Later, the warrior's son was thrown from
one of the ponies and broke his leg. The people said it was unlucky.
'Maybe,' the warrior said.
The next week, the chief led a war party
against another tribe. Many young men were killed. But, because
of his broken leg, the warrior's son was left behind, and so
was spared."
|