All of us can identify with the sentiments of the old Eskimo proverb, “
May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart!” But do we understand what they really mean to people? Last month, I visited a rural hamlet where no electricity lines went. The residents spent almost a fifth of their income buying oil for their lamps. If the crops did poorly, they couldn't afford the oil, and would be deprived of even that feeble light.
May we never forget that there are people who lack the things we take for granted.
_____
A
drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.
Fiona was the one who introduced me to the proverb- do check her site out.
16 comments:
It's a good time of year for us all the be reminded of how easy our lives are even in the economic climate to this past year.
That's a lot of money just for oil.
I often wonder how long some of our world's poorest can continue in their penury while so many of us continue on neglecting their poverty... and as you pointed out some time ago, water is also becoming a scarce commodity.
Thanks for reminding us of this.
Good reminder of just how lucky we are. I always think of Jo March in Little Women and how they just wanted to be able to keep their candles lit a bit longer than was reasonable. Yikes.
Rayna - Thank you for the reminder of how blessed and how fortunate we are. We take so much for granted and we assume so much. Just a short walk in someone else's shoes, though, so to speak, can help us put it all into perspective.
Very shocking! The things we take for granted...thank you for sharing this!
Its a pity a few politicians stash away millions when millions are forced to break open their tin cans of small notes...
Very shocking! The things we take for granted...thank you for sharing this!
I fear many outside your country will be joining these ranks sooner than we think.
So many people need so much help. I hope the world is learning to be better at helping. We need to fix this.
so important--I agree so much. And your title reminded me of a song we used to sing in Sunday school "give me oil in my lamp."
Bible stories... :D
I hope you guys had/are having a wonderful holiday~ <3
Another good reminder to take the time to appreciate all the things in life we take for granted.
I love your drabbles.
We certainly are blessed. We sponsor two children, Felix is in Kenya, Marlotna in Indonesia. I love to get their letters. I want my boys to learn that it's truly more blessed to give than to receive.
@ Susan - so true. When conditions are tight for us, how much worse they must be for others.
@ Alex - it is, isn't it? But you can't live in darkness, can you?
@ Danette - exactly. Things have to even out a bit, or there will be a revolution, sooner or later.
@ Fiona - I don't think you need reminding at all. You keep me honest.
@ Jan - it has been years since I read Little Women, and I don't remember that bit at all. But yes, we are lucky, very very lucky.
@ Margot - so true. Most people just don't know how little others have, and why should they?
@ Oddyoddyo13 - isn't that something everyone takes for granted?
@ Rek - the greatest irony, of all.
@ Mary - I do hope not. I hope things even out for everyone.
@ Jemi - we do have to wake up and get governments to wake up.
@ Leigh - I think I know that song too. One I have sung too without understanding what it really means.
@ Jane - the best we can do is keep remembering and doing what little we can.
@ Vicki - thank you
@ Tina - You are teaching them by doing, so they will definitely learn to be aware of how lucky they are.
Post a Comment