The Femme Files

The silver lining of others’ suffering – a life lesson

Do you know what it’s like to wake up in fear, not knowing if today will be your last? Do you know what it’s like to live in a war torn country, where your own leader is actually your greatest enemy? Do you know what it’s like to live a life full of persecution?

I ask this because if you thought your life was difficult, I’ve got something to tell you…

There are people around the world whose lives epitomize difficult! So put it in perspective!

I began putting my own difficulties in perspective in lieu of the political turmoil in Libya.  If you aren’t aware, Libya’s fascist and brutal leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has used warplanes and bombs to kill his own country’s people! Splattered across the news are cringe worthy images of devastated men, women and even children, escaping or fighting for their lives in war torn areas.

These people living in countries tormented by political strife have no security. Some probably wake up in terror, not knowing if they will live to the see the next day. As I asked earlier, do you have any idea how that feels? I know I certainly don’t. I do know what it’s like not to be the biggest fan of a country’s leader, but next time I think to criticise Julia Gillard, I’ll keep in mind that other countries have suffered far worse leadership.

This disparity doesn’t end at politics. Financially, people all over the world live off nothing. In fact, almost half of humanity’s population, over three billion people, live on less than $2.50 a day. Their entire expenditure for just one day is less than what I pay in the morning for a one way train ticket! Next time I feel underprivileged because I can’t dish out dough on a hot new pair of shoes, I’ll keep in mind that I can at least afford essentials like food, water and shelter!

If people in third world countries watch “news” about what’s happening in Hollywood, they’d  probably laugh at the number of affluent stars being put in rehabilitation for “depression” or “mental illness” or whatever else they consider “troublesome” to their life. Though I don’t want to disregard their state of being, comparatively, their lives are hardly troublesome.

Are they escaping their country for their lives? No.  Are they being forced into slavery? No. Is their whole family dying from AIDS? No.  Are they without food or water? Maybe if they are fad dieting.

And so this is where I am taking you Femmefile readers. Again, I don’t want to disregard whatever is on your plate at the moment, we’ve all got our plates full, but I do want you to be aware that it could always be much worse.  Things we take for granted-freedom, security, education, healthcare-is considered a privilege to others.

Femmefile readers, I hope that this article will inspire you to put your life in perspective. Someone else’s difficulties could perhaps make you reconsider your own. Do not take your life for granted and be thankful for the life you have. When you do this, you’ll find your life  much less difficult!