This earthquake that happened and the aftermath that will continue for years to come make me stop and think about how selfish I am. If I didn't know where my next meal was coming from, where I would sleep at night, when I'd get water or when I'd see my loved ones again, would I still be grateful?
The people who struggle and who still have hope and a helping heart--those are the people I think are heroes. The people who find things to be grateful for, even though their lives have literally crumbled around them. I have seen (via my TV) people who have lost their homes and all of their belongings, but their family is still together--the thankfulness they express, just for the fact that they are alive, puts me to shame. How can I ever have an excuse NOT to be thankful? I can't.
I'm grateful for people who want to help. Seeing the outpouring of support going out toward Haiti is inspiring.
I'm grateful that I am alive.
I'm grateful that I have my family with me.
I'm grateful that I have a home and food and water.
I'm grateful for my health.
I'm grateful for my church family, who are close to being my REAL family.
I'm grateful that God has blessed me with the ability to help, even though I can't personally touch people in need.
I'm grateful that God opens my eyes sometimes, so I can see that I'm selfish and self-focused more than I'd like to admit. I can't imagine how I would cope in circumstances such as those happening this very moment on the streets of Port-au-Prince. God bless Haiti.
Father, bless Haiti with peace in the streets. Help the aid to get to them SOON. Help those who are still alive under the rubble to hold on and help the rescuers to come soon. Give them miracle rescues and miraculous recoveries from injuries. Help me to see my world realistically and help me out of my self-centered frame of mind. I want to be truly grateful, even more than I already am. Thank you, God, for showing me that life is about reaching out, not holding back.
My hope for all of you, my friends, is that you really take a look at your life and see how BLESSED you are. Do you have problems? Yes. But are your basic needs met? Yes. Despite your current circumstances, good or bad, allow your heart to be filled with the gratitude that comes from knowing how deeply blessed you are. Each moment of life is a gift and, if you learn nothing else from this disaster, remember that you don't know what will happen in the next moment, so hold on to life and LIVE it. Don't just simply exist. It's not about money. It's not about what you own. It's about the love in your life and the love that should flow OUT of your life.
How Could I Ask For More--Cindy Morgan
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