A thought for a Monday
A question I realise most people think about sometimes in their lives: is our birth (re-birth of our soul/spirit) purely an accident or is there some greater plan to it?
I was on a flight back to Bangkok and as I looked around at passengers waiting at the airport in the ME, I noticed a lot of Filipina maids with their employers' families. None were smiling. None looked happy. All looked tired and worn out.
Having met many of these maids in Hong Kong and also in the PI, I understood, as much as an outsider can, what they were feeling and what their lives here were possibly like.
The vast majority work as maids simply to provide money to their families in PI and they regard their situation as one that is their lot in life. The same is no less true of people in Africa, other parts of Asia or any 3rd world countries around the globe.
This led me to delve deeper into my thoughts as to why my life has been so blessed in comparison to so many others and why/if fate, or something else, a higher authority, determined this?
I can never know the answer in this life.....but it doesn't stop me thinking about it and feeling both blessed and thankful.
Team Worldwide SFO
8 年Hi Anthony, We're supposed to give thanks and be grateful for every situation, burden that we encounter; whether it be, good, bad or indifferent. The key is to ALWAYS give thanks for everything that you have, because everything we have is by the grace of God. I struggle like everyone else, especially with money; however, I'm rich in my faith and that's all I really need. He is good to this faithful servants and all of his children. There's blessings in everything, even when they're not that evident, but the blessings are there. Have a great day!
Director at asart
8 年Thank-you all for your wonderful comments. Michael, very interesting thought.... Wileharda, absolutely agree "No money can ever replace humanitarian". Its also empathy. Empathy removes the barriers and forbids us to ever be complacent or accepting of others situations IF less (in every sense of the word, not just financial) than our own. Debbi, YES, there do seem to be more of us who despite our blessings are dissatisfied. Is it a spiritual (not necessarily religious) vacuum or basically that we have lost the connection, the bond, we have to others and nature? Ghulam, I am sure I haven't had or found revelation, (although your words are very kind) but more a deep questioning of "why"? This isn't a calming or a thought process that is anything other than discomforting and niggling....yet I will not likely find the answer in this life. Keith, yes, there MUST be something, based on our human logic.....and that is the eternal question. Reneta, you are always an inspiration.
owner and director of Twiga private art museum collection and jewelry . specializing in Top museum quality Tribal art.
8 年I am one of those African Anthony. I am so blessed to be and so proud of myself. In order to change my society , Community I must give, For i too was given. Fortunate enough to be in US it wasnt a choice for me , It is my duty to help educate my community. I may not have the money security as you do, I am the happies person today when I see one of my orphan child that has a shelter, food, clothe to wear, education, happy fully surounded with other happy children without worries of beeing alone, slve of a man or other woman, I am the most joyful human being I can be. If you havent experienced that, you are missing out. No money can ever replace humanitarian. You either have it or you dont. As you age you will recognize what am talking about. Feelings, humanitarian, are things we all are born with, and cappable of delivering them. You may choose to ignore them, It will catch up with you. Its a very genuine feelings, only if you allow your ego to go. Otherwise you want understand. My most respect to you, for as a friend I alwys follow you.May god bless you more. But, if you wish to seeik the truth, its never late. Look all the people have accumulated, not satisfied yet, they even go and take the very last of the poor. If you were were happy, content, and feeling blessed, We all will give food which is the very simple basic item to human beeing. instead, we will be happy to have the power, and the machanism and take all and blam that poor, innocent human being. Blessed you are, sometimes by taking advantage of others. So let them give to the need. Thank you.
Independent Curator and Visual Arts Adviser at Self-employed
8 年Just wanted to say the same to you, Anthony: all good wishes for the New Year (it is still January, just...)