culture shock: goose poop

I get asked a lot if transitioning back to America has been easy or hard. Though I can speak the language, am familiar with the customs, and am living in my homeland - it has not been easy.

One thing that has emerged as a common thread of difficulty for me is to hear Americans complaining while they experience so much luxury.  It is as if all the comforts have made them discontent with living. I don't often say anything, but inside I feel a sense of anger.

A few years ago someone asked me if the disparity I observed in my travels made me mad. I answered that it wasn't the disparity so much, but what makes me mad is to hear those who have so much complain - I'd rather they be grateful for their good fortune.

By contrast, that same year I met a family in Thailand who were living in a box made of scraps of stuff that other people threw away - some wood, sheets of plastic and cardboard. They had made a raised bed that the three of them slept on and were growing a small garden for food. They told stories of staying up all night trying to keep the rain out of their little home, while laughing about the experience. When asked how they were doing, her answer surprised me. She said they had enough, and that she is grateful to God that he had blessed them with enough. That warms my heart - gratefulness, despite difficult circumstances.

There are days when I am reminded of my good life. For instance, these fake dogs made and sold to scare away geese who have come to cohabitate in our beautifully manicured and landscaped developments. I am surprised there is a whole industry for such things. I am surprised that so many have spent so much time trying to come up with a solution to the problem of geese visitors on human claimed land. Why does this make me appreciative?

On those days I think, "if that is the worst problem you have. You have a good life."

I do hope the good life is appreciated. I doubt the person who has to scoop up the goose droppings is thinking about their blessings...but, they are blessed. No matter what their circumstances, they have more than most of the world and in comparison to issues like civil war, vast famine, or oppressive corruption - goose poop isn't such a bad problem to have.

just Sheri, counting my blessings