Monday 22 September 2014

Small and wonderful things . . .

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"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard  

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life.   It's the small things in life which truly mean the most.  Simple abundance . . . it's the best.   




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80% of the world lives in abject poverty.   I go to sleep each night in a warm and comfy bed, with a belly that is full, in a home which is quite spacious and warm and dry.  I do not know what it is like to be truly hungry or truly afraid.   I may think sometimes that I am poor, but that is only because I don't have what a handful of other people might have.   To many in the world . . .  I am considered to be wealthy.  You are considered to be wealthy.


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We are a part of the 20%.   I get up each morning and I spend time each day pondering on what I am going to make for our dinner . . .  not if we are going to have dinner today.   I have clean water to drink and to cook with and to bathe in.  I am loved and appreciated.   I am blessed.


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 There are days when I throw away more food  than 80 % of the world's  people have to eat in a day . . .

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Barely a day passes that I don't grumble out of frustration that my kitchen is too small to hold all the wonderful things that I own that help me to prepare my food, or store my food . . .  or . . . just  my food.

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When my clothes are dirty . . .  I simply throw them into the washer . . .  in fact, when compared to some people's clothing . . .  my clothes are never really dirty and I wash them anyways.  I have the luxury of being able to put on something clean every day if I wish, and it's not always the same thing  . . .  of having a pair of shoes that fit and keep my feet reasonably warm and dry . . .  and in fact of having another pair of shoes that I save for "good."

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I buy my food in shops which are relatively clean . . . and filled with abundance and variety and luxury.  My shops throw out more food in a day that many people in the world see in a week, or a month or a year . . .

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Our children play in school yards each day that are clean and that are safe . . . where they are being given a free education that many of them will squander, or take for granted.

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Most will never have to sell their bodies, or beg . . . or worse . . .


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Many people in this world put their lives at great risk just for the chance to have a portion of what I already have . . .

A roof over my head.  Food in my belly.   Clothes on my back.   Clean water.   Freedom from fear.  Free medical care.  A free education.   The right to worship as I wish.   The luxury of choice.

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Something is very wrong with this world.   Very wrong.   We should never take for granted what we are so very blessed to have . . .  and we should never squander it.  We are the 20%.  I hope and pray that one day things will be very, very different and in the meantime I do what I can to alleviate the sorrow and the poverty of the 80%.  I may not be able to do much, but I can do something.

There is none so poor as those who are so poor of spirit that they cannot stop to help to lift another up or to share their crust of bread with one who hungers . . . 

This seems almost hedonistic now . . . I apologise for that.  ☺

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In the English Kitchen today  . . .  Macaroni, Cheese and Tomato Bake

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11 comments:

  1. Yes Marie, We are so very fortunate to live in such a great country...for all it's faults...I do believe that our Government does try to help other countries less able to maintain themsleves. and I believe in a survey that we were near the top of the list for individuals in giving to charity..so I think most of us do our best. There is no need whatsoever for there to be such hunger, there is enough food for all but it is the GREED of big business that prevents people being able to afford to buy even the most basic things..
    We must always try to be vigilant when we buy to make sure as far as possible that we only buy from companies who have a proven record of paying proper wages etc to it's staff be that in manufacturing or farming
    Hope you have a love day. I have a funeral to attend this morning and the our Wesley guild restarts this afternoon..then in to see Margaret this evening...

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  2. Yes some of us are very fortunate indeed. God bless us with the ability to remember how fortunate we are.

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  3. Like you, I'm blessed to have all I need. Food clothing and a home. We do have much to be thankful for. It is a sad thing to think that so many live in such deplorable conditions.

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  4. Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly Sybil. It is the greed of companies and the ultra wealthy who earn their wealth on the backs of the poor, which is at the root of a lot of these problems in the world, as well as tin pot despots who keep it all to themselves while their own people suffer. I believe that there should be enough for all in the world, if it was spread around a bit more fairly, and I know that we British dig deep in our pockets whenever we are asked to and that is even when there are people right here in the UK that are going hungry and without. My heart breaks whenever I see someone doing without when there is no need. I hope you have a lovely day too. Give Margaret my love! xxoo

    That's my post today Suzan remembering how very lucky I am. Finding my glass half full instead of half empty. There, but for the grace of God go I! xxoo

    We really do Pam, and it is a good thing to be grateful. I wish I could do more for those in need. It's really sad. xxoo

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  5. I am always always grateful for my warm bed and food on the table.
    I realize how so many suffer.

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  6. I think most of us are Monique, or at least the readers of my page are. That's why I love you all so. We are like minded. xxoo

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  7. We must have been writing at the same time Sharon! Great minds. Amen, amen!

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  8. Marie, I hope you don't mind that I shared this post on my Facebook page; it's a message too many of us need to be reminded of regularly.

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  9. This post is indeed something to share. I'm using this for FHE. You put it so well, and my family is having some issues with ingratitude AND wastefulness. Thank you.

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  10. Not at all Sharon! I don't mind people sharing my thoughts with others in the least! ooxx

    I am so happy you were able to use this for your FHE Anna. That's why I do what I do, to share with others and hopefully make a difference from time to time! xxoo

    Thanks Valerie! I am glad I am not alone in feeling and recognizing my many blessings! xxoo

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!