I remember receiving an email years ago with information similar to what follows. And even though I pulled these particular facts out of a book, I’m not sure how accurate the figures are. But regardless, I think these numbers may hit pretty near the mark – and I find that both shocking and humbling.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of the world’s population.
If you have a little money in the bank or spare change in a dish someplace…you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
If you can drink from your kitchen faucet whenever you want…you are more fortunate by far than 1.5 billion people who have no access to clean water at all.
If you can attend church or a political rally without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death…you have the kind of freedom denied to more than three billion people in the world.
If you can read these words, you are more blessed than 2 billion people who cannot read at all.
If your everyday problems are weighing you down, there are millions of people on Earth who would gladly trade places with you right now – problems and all – and feel they have been royally blessed.
Remember: “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.”**
We have all been given a staggering amount of gifts in our lives. How can you pay it forward? Who can you bless with some of the abundance you’ve received? And how can you make it fun? Those are important questions, my friends! Tell us what you think! How do you give back and why is it fun? If you leave your comment below, we’ll send you a code for 20% off your next shirt purchase!
**From the book One: How Many People Does It Take to Make A Difference? by Dan Zadra and Kobi Yamada
Tue Dec 08, 2009
Nice, Laura! I’ve certainly benefited from your sharing. (And, of course, I’m wearing my new fave sweater right now!) As for me, I like doing random acts of kindness. For example – I left $10 at counter of my fave coffee shop. I told the barista to pay for the next customer’s coffee, and the change was to go in the tip jar. It was fun to get someone else involved in my plan – I think the barista got a kick out of it, too! I don’t know who got the free coffee or how they reacted – but I hope they’ve paid it forward to someone else!
Tue Dec 08, 2009
Its a small thing but I love lending things to people – books, beauty products, clothes, my car. I am so happy to share the things I have with other people.