Counting My Blessings

Like most people, I often find myself obsessing about the ‘problems’ in my life. Yes, they exist, for sure. But how big are they, really…?

I might not be ‘rich’ in the definition of western society. And yet,I am very privileged.

I was born as a citizen of a wealthy western country. I have never had to endure real hunger or thirst. I have constant access to clean drinking water and to sanitation. Even though I have lived in fairly basic accommodation over the last years,I always have had a roof over my head. If I wanted to,I could change my lifestyle and strive for ‘more’. I have the means to correct my visual impairment, and so can see well. All my other senses are (still) working well.

I feel relatively safe and treated respectfully as a woman, a lot of the time. Of course,as most women,I have made other experiences, but not on a daily basis.

I have the privilege of not being discriminated against on racial, religious or sexual grounds.

I have unrestricted access to information and spiritual teachings.

I have never had to live in an area affected by war and was never forced to leave my country of origin due to a threat of life or health.

I have the possiblity to go travelling. This is what I consider the biggest luxury of all – being able to see other cultures and other ways of living. And this includes to encounter plenty of people who are a lot less privileged then I am.

In 2020, 26% of the global population did not have access to a safely managed drinking-water service, which means one that is located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination.

Over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries, which is expected to be exacerbated in some regions as result of climate change and population growth.

2 billion people worldwide do not have access to basic sanitation services.

1 in 6 of the world’s children live in a conflict zone.

828 million people are affected by hunger.

What are your blessings today?