I’m hoping that you aren’t feeling too overwhelmed with this series yet. But we’re continuing to slog through 31 Days to Reducing Your Debt. It might take me 2 full months to complete this journey but I think it’s worthwhile and many of you have written to me saying you’re gaining insight from the posts (even if they’re coming at a snail’s pace). Today we’ll focus on the big picture of the world. Sometimes seeing the world with global eyes diminishes your current struggle. And it partners with tomorrow’s topic: Practice Generosity.
Day 25: Show Gratitude
When you’re debt, it’s kind of like a dark shadow lurks behind you no matter where you go.
In particular, I can remember feeling this intensely when we still had a credit card. Every time I used the Target VISA card, I visualized that balance in my head. And the more the number crept up toward the limit, the more I felt like I had an invisible hand with each of its fingers wrapped tightly around my neck.
The mound of debt seemed so insurmountable.
Our problems seemed so big.
The way out seemed nearly impossible.
As big as the total of your debt may seem, believe it or not, there are greater problems in this world.
That dark shadow can take the form of discouragement or disappointment or even guilt, too.
As you strip your life down to focus on paying off debt, you begin to dwell in a world of no –
no vacations,
no gifts,
no shopping,
no extras,
no movies,
no restaurants,
no fun,
no, no, no.
You feel like you’re living on very little.
As little as you’re living on, believe it or not, there are people living on a whole lot less.
For instance, of the 6 Billion People living on the planet right now,
Over 1 Billion people live on less than $1 a day.
3 Billion live on less than $2 a day.
40% of the world doesn’t own a pair of shoes.
Average age for a person to receive their first pair of shoes is 14.
90% of the world doesn’t own a car.
Face it people, no matter how much debt you have. No matter how much you think you’re sacrificing, compared to the rest of humanity, most of you are rich. In fact, even if you only make $16,000 a year, you’re still in the top 12% of the world. Go here to see how rich you truly are.
You might remember that I don’t like comparison games. And I don’t share these statistics to make you feel guilty. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you’re going to get out of debt, you’ve got to find and live in a deep sense of gratitude.
You’ve been given much. How you manage it, is up to you. You can begin well managing what you’ve been given today.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about ways to show generosity even when your giving income is limited.
