As we begin a new year, I can’t help but think about how blessed we are to live in this wonderful country. We enjoy a robust economy with an unemployment rate of nearly 4.5 percent. The stock market continues to set new records, and fuel prices are hovering around $2.39 a gallon. The average family in America owns at least two cars, eats three meals a day, and has a household income of $67,000. I realize that there are exceptions, but many safety nets in our culture exist to help those who truly need assistance. We live in a country that affords virtually any citizen to pursue an opportunity, to serve in public office, regardless of religion, race, gender, or social status.
Now, let’s contrast that with the rest of the world. Nearly 70% of the world’s population survives on less than $10 a day, and roughly 12% live on less than $2.50 a day. According to Pew Research, as many as thirty countries require their leaders to be of a specific religion.
In 2016, my family had the privilege of traveling to India to participate in a friend’s wedding. The experience was life changing. When we landed, we immediately noticed the polluted air made it difficult to breathe. It’s hard to imagine living in a country where the air quality is so bad that your throat burns much of the time.
Once we boarded the shuttle bus for the four-hour trip to Chandigarh, we quickly realized that traffic in Georgia was not that bad. At least Georgia traffic usually goes the speed limit at 2:00am, but India’s automobiles were packed onto the narrow road with barely six inches separating each vehicle. Nearly every automobile in sight had dents and scrapes from bumping into each other. When I inquired about traffic accidents, I was informed that no one stops for fear they may be mugged.
After arriving at the hotel, we noticed an incredible number of young children living on the streets. The concierge informed me that over thirty million children under the age of five live on their streets, begging for their next meal. On one occasion, a young girl approached our cab and banged on the window, pleading for change to purchase a meal. After we gave her the money, she disappeared quicker than a mouse that located a piece of cheese. When we asked the driver what happens next for this child, he responded that one of three things would occur. She would be brutally robbed on her way to her handler, or her handler would be displeased with the amount she collected and would harm her himself, or hopefully, her handler would be pleased and feed her.
My daughter was so moved by this child that she commented that she wished we could take her home with us. Our driver calmly responded to my daughter that we could do whatever we wanted with the little girl, and literally no one would miss her. With so many children roaming the streets begging for survival, there is little hope of ever moving up in India’s caste-structured society.
As challenging as life may seem in America for some, admittedly, life here is nowhere near as difficult as it is in some other countries. We are a blessed nation, and sometimes it takes looking beyond our circumstances to realize it.
to your business!