I’m a firm believer in gratitude. Those who are grateful for the blessings in which they have tend to live a much richer and fulfilled life. I’ll be the first to admit I’m amazingly fortunate to have grown up in the reality in which I did.
While I wish I could say that everyone had as many amazing and wonderful experiences as I have, the truth is that many have not. Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re more well off than the majority of the other 6 billion people out there. Just for that you should smile. Today I’d like to take a moment to bring your attention to 7 luxuries you may you forget you have. Nothing sensational in terms of creativity but my hope is it will force you to reflect.
Running Water
Nearly half of the entire world (a generous estimate) does not have running water. That doesn’t count the millions who have running water that isn’t safe to drink. When I wake up in the morning I often gulf down a large glass of water because I’m “dehydrated.” It’s amazing to me how many people aren’t allowed to have that pleasure.
When I lived in China I was fortunate enough to help bringing clean drinking water to small village in the country. I can honestly say it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. One of the locals claimed the water to be a miracle because it cured diseases, when in fact it was just because it was clean. Cherish every drop.
Electricity
Again, having lived in China I was presented with a few unique travel opportunities that allowed to witness how scarce electricity is in some areas. Those who live in a 1st or 2nd world country have come accustomed to having lights and heating at their instant disposal but the fact is many individuals around the world aren’t as fortunate.
You can help those who aren’t as lucky by doing your part to conserve energy and lend a hand for those who need it. Appreciate the light that allows you read before you pull the covers of your head and call it a night.
A Roof Over Your Head
The fact that you have a roof over your head puts you in some elite company by world standards. Sure many people have a roof but there are millions without a home. It’s often easy to forget that having a place you can call home is not guaranteed. Many people in the poorer nations of the world can’t afford a permanent place to stay and are in constant search of shelter.
A Guaranteed Meal
Hunger is one of the world’s greatest problems and being such one that needs our attention most. I once heard a statistic that said every night 25,000 children under the age of 5 die because of lack of food. Having a young sister that statistic really hits home for me.
You are so lucky to have the ability to go get food at will. You are so fortunate not to have to scour the city to find something to eat out of the trash. By becoming conscious of what you eat and giving back to those in need you can help reduce this unneeded pain.
A Computer
I realize that this could fall under to the category of electricity but the potential that lies in the computer made it deserve a spot on it’s only. The things we are able to learn and create on the computer are absolutely mind blowing. Millions of people are using the computer to express themselves in a way that benefits the world. Not only that but you can learn anything within only a few clicks.
Those that are fortunate enough to have a computer have at their disposal one of the most powerful technologies ever created. And because of it, I have you as my reader. 
An Education
Not everyone in the world has the type of education that you and I have been blessed with. The fact that you’re reading this shows that you’re a highly intelligent individual (I didn’t say that to boost my ego.) Many poorer nations don’t have money or resources to provide a future for their kids.
Don’t let your education go to waste. Instead use your smarts to help create creative solutions to solve the world’s greatest problems. Solutions won’t be easy but with people like you they can take place.
Freedom
Last but not least, freedom. Freedom means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. But for me it means our ability to decide how it is we want to live. Because we’ve been blessed with the basics that many people don’t have we can create the reality in which we desire. We talk a lot about how to make the most out of your life. How to be productive. How to take your business to the next level. But what we often forget is that many people don’t even have the basics of life covered. Not everyone is in a position to really take on the world. Not yet at least.
This post wasn’t written to make you to feel spoiled or depressed. Instead it was written to make you aware of how truly blessed you are. You are blessed. Wouldn’t you agree?
Hey Bud,
You are so right man. It’s very easy to take all that for granted.
I think about that sometimes, even having health, and family are things that we take for granted that could change at any time. Last weekend I saw a massive motorbike accident, I don’t think the guy survived. Did he know that when he woke up that morning on a beautiful day?
Hope you are well:)
Cheers
Diggy
Launch on Monday, I’m so excited!
A lot of times, when I feel unhappy I try to remember things like these. It gives me comfort and my judgment in bad situations becomes different.
You are so right, I grew up poor enough not to have all of these (don’t forget clothes, incidentally, and shoes! They make a hell of a difference) I now live in caravan/trailer as part of my minimalist choice, and am grateful every time I refill my water containers, I can trust my water supply!
Hi Bud,
Yes, an attitude of gratitude is vital experiencing the abundance in the world. I like to give 3 appreciations daily: One for something I know I appreciate (good health), One for something I take for granted (running water, electricity etc), And one for the future I am creating that is not here yet but will be soon… if you want to be a millionaire, appreciate how it feels and what it will look like to have a million dollars. Or if you want to land your dream job appreciate how it feels & what it looks like to go to work everyday at your dream job etc.
Gratitude is so important to not only realize what we have but also to maintain an attitude that attracts abundance. I would agree, the mere fact that we are all reading this is something to be sincerely grateful for.
Bud
Jesus dude – this one really puts it all in perspective.
We all (myself included) get so worked up about “making it” – being happy, successful, living a life of purpose…
… yet I can’t remember the last time I was truly grateful for the things you talk about above.
You’ve made me feel spoiled and selfish – but in a really good way.
Today I’m taking a day off empire building and am just gonna focus on how fucking good I have it already.
Cheers dude.
Bud,
Reflecting on everything we have to be thankful for – is a great way to start any day and improve your perspective.
I spent last summer backpacking through Guatemala and Honduras and it amplified my level of gratitude for having the basics – water, a roof, guaranteed food, transportation, etc. We are truly lucky to have all these things at our fingertips everyday.
Thanks for the reminder!
I have all of these in abundance and do my best to express my gratitude for them as much as possible. Gratitude is a happy state to be in.
I am often reminded of this quotation: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough”. (Meister Eckhart)
Thanks for the reminder, especially about running water. I’m so grateful I can cook, make tea, and take a shower! There’s nothing like being able to take a hot shower. It’s very soothing and relaxing along with cleaning you
Thanks for the inspiring post. This are all such important areas to be thankful for, and most of them really are things that can be taken for granted. I have been very fortunate throughout my life, and no matter how bad I feel I had it, there is always someone in a worse situation who keeps a positive attitude and outlook on life. This really provides me perspective to be grateful. All we can do is the best with what we have, and hopefully we are fortunate enough to have most of these things.
Hi there I’m new in the blog. So present myself I’m Anass Farah. I’ve lost my parents 9 years ago. I was young. I had 7 years old. I’m 16 now. When I read this article I understand how rich and happy i am
Even when we don’t have those things. we can be happy because we are in life when there are millions of people who died because of wars. Been in this life is certainly a luxurie and a blessing.
Again thank you for the article
I really believe the words of Luke 12:48 that “to whom much is given, from them much will be expected.” It is why I entered ROTC in an Ivy League university during the 70′s(a not very popular time for the military) and why I do the work that I do. I have too many acquaintances who have been as fortunate as me with their life circumstances who believe that they are owed a secure retirement for all their “hard work” and the government will handle the needs of those less fortunate.
My children have traveled/will travel and work in places India, Niger, Thailand, the Dominican Republic so that they will have a harder time taking the blessings you outlined for granted.
Oil free beaches, and a livable environment.
In fact, the first chapter of Quran starts with gratitude to one who bless us with all these luxuries:
‘Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds’
and Muslims repeat this phrase in every prayer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Fatiha
Hi Bud.
We quickly forget these items. The minute we feel like we have something, our mind thinks about it much less. It isn’t until you or our inner voice comes along that we remind ourselves that we could be without whatever it is that we have become accustomed to. The minute we think we might lose something, it is suddenly on our radar again. This is one of the efficiency trade-offs of human nature.
Doesn’t it make everyone feel better?
The key is to remember even during the tough times!
Michele, absolutely clothes are important as well
Glad you were able to create a stable life.
Chris, I’m not sure I understand your comment.
Hans, I agree 100 percent. Going to less fortunate countries and helping is a wonderful awareness exercise. It changed my life that’s for sure.
Thanks so much Carl. Hope you enjoyed your day
that’s so true Bud, we should count our blessings, in addition let me add health! today i am sick and i realize how gifted i was when i was not sick
Bud, I applaud you on every level for this post. In a world focused on big dreams, big pay packets, big achievements and making a big difference, you have reminded us on the simple things we take for granted that are huge if they are missing. We have gotten complacent and ungrateful and you’ve hit the spot with this tap on the shoulder. I am clearly so rich as I have all these things so what more does a man want? Just for others all round the world to enjoy the very same. Blessing for this!
TRUE THAT!! I would also add paved roads. I read a book on Afganastan and couldn’t believe how much a road can improve people’s lives.
Thanks for the post!
Funny how reading about nations opens our minds up a bit eh?
Never thought about it like that before Armen. Thanks for bringing that up.
Interesting how you equalized having computer with having an internet connection, when in fact most computers in the poor world doesn’t have one or it is very slow and costly.
One more luxury we are not aware of