Sunday, March 20, 2011

we are blessed

Sarah, Atlanta
Photobucket

Wanda, Canada
3.14.2011

Becky, Philadelphia
3.14.11

Lola, Utah
3.14

Maddy, New Jersey/NYC
2/8/11

Rikako, Japan
3.18 TODAY

Rocio, Mexico
9.21.10

Buckeroomama, Hong Kong
3.14

Salma, Canada
Photobucket


If we could shrink the earth's population
If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following.  There would be:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 would be Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
(ONE)1 would be near death;
(ONE)1 would be near birth;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would own a computer.
When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.
And, therefore . . .
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.  
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
As you read this and are reminded how life is in the rest of the world, remember just how blessed you really are!


21 comments:

  1. We are truly blessed. Truly.
    Thank you for sharing the world with us each day girls. Thank you so much!

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  2. Sarah, your flower is so beautiful. What a blessing to read this today. I am glad it was posted. I am glad I have been able to see the different lives of so many girls from all over the world every day! It is a blessing! Have a wonderful week girls. Love, Becky

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  3. Putting things in perspective is always a good idea. Thank you:)

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  4. When you put life into perspective, the only thing you can do it be grateful for what you have and not obsess over what you want.

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  5. What an amazing truth. I just started a gratitude journal last night. And I've made a commitment to thinking, acting, and speaking positively.

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  6. Gorgeous photos to demonstrate so many blessings. I love the pink cascading flowers.

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  7. What a great reminder! We should always be grateful for what we have because we are truly one of the lucky ones.

    One of the things I am thankful for is each and every person in my life, all you ladies included. =)

    Happy Sunday!

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  8. Beautiful photos from so many place - very cool. The human ratio that you posted is so fascinating. Each time I see it I read it.

    Thanks!
    via SIMC

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  9. What an interesting message, you are right we must be grateful for the blessings we have.

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  11. Count your blessings, one by one. You will be surprised to know that you are truly blessed!!!

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  12. Love this. We are so blessed!

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  13. Your photos are gorgeous but the stats-- Wow, that's pretty eye opening. Thanks for sharing. I'll be passing this along.
    Happy SIMC, jj

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  14. Fabulous post! The pictures remind me that the blessing of summer is coming. - the words of the blessings I already enjoy :) . It's good to be reminded! Not sure why my picture is not here though, I did upload for the week...

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  15. gorgeous photos!!!! yes we are blessed and if we would only cultivate that gratitude!

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  16. Love the coordination of Maddy and Rikako's photos!

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  17. TRULY blessed...thank you for the reminder...

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  18. Thanks for the informative and helpful post, obviously in your blog everything is good.. Merry Christmas Messages , Quotes to Husband

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