Like everyone, there are days when I throw a pity party for myself. Poor me… I do all the cooking, cleaning, shopping, pet care, child care, and work full time too… blah, blah, blah. I’m sure that it is healthy to have days like that, occasionally. They force us to look at our lives, take inventory, make changes, and grow.
When you’re having a day like that, however, don’t get too caught up in yourself. In fact, if you need to snap out of it, just look around and you’re sure to find someone who is a great deal worse off than you. The other day when I was at the grocery store (and throwing a grand “I wish my husband would do the shopping once in a while” pity party), I ran into a woman in the checkout line. She had no legs and was in a wheelchair. Her young son appeared severely mentally handicapped, and her teenage daughter was trying to help both of them out the best she could. The cashier scanned the items and told the woman the total of the order after each item, so that she would know if she had enough food stamps to pay for her groceries. Upon finishing, she apologized for taking so long and wheeled away with her children.
Wow, was that a reality check! I snapped out of my self-pity and reflected on the many blessings in my life… starting with my legs! This woman wasn’t famous, rich, beautiful… or any of the tags that we place on inspirational people. Yet this woman was a true inspiration.
Next time you’re throwing a pity party, just look around. You’re sure to meet someone whose life will offer you a reality check.
Filed under: Inspirational Women | Tagged: handicapped, self-pity
Hello, Katherine. I got your address at the Blog Party – my first time at a virtual party!
I was reading your post and agreeing with every word… After some years of serious health problems at my family, and now with my lovely older sister as a cancer’s terminal patient, I learnt not to complain abut my life. As long as I’m healthy, I can deal with ANYTHING. I just take deep breaths when things are hard, and I go ahead. I’m lucky to be physically perfect, so I sign undr your post!
Have a great day, blessed be!
Wow! that was a reality check. You’re right, it is so easy to take for granted what you have. It’s so easy to forget that things could always be worse than what we think they are.
I got your blog off the blog party list. Hope to see you at my blog party.