One afternoon several years ago, I was saying that I would rather have something else and my daughter chimed, “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” What profound words her teacher had taught the class.
I don’t lie crying on the floor kicking my feet any more but I still throw adult-type tantrums sometimes. I know my mind and often speak it freely commenting about things that could be improved or that don’t meet my standards. A relative pointed this out to me not long ago. In a restaurant overseas, in the server’s presence I complained that the menu was overpriced and that they didn’t have the dish I was looking for. I should have been grateful that I was eating out in a beautiful garden restaurant in Europe.
A friend that lived in a developing country said that he went into a grocery store while visiting the U.S. to buy a sauce for food. He said there were so many varieties he was so overwhelmed that he left without making a choice. Recently I have been internally whining about the number of things that need updating in our aging home. I try to remind myself about the home of the child we sponsor in Guatemala. About eight family members were sharing a wooden shack with unlevel mud floors that was smaller than my kitchen with no running water or electricity. I often whine about cooking so often and then washing the dishes. A little girl in Africa said that when she washes the dishes she is thankful she has food. When she hand-washes clothes she is thankful that she has something to wear.
I am not suggesting that we settle for mediocrity instead of excellence. However, having so many choices can lead to the self-centered expectation that we should always have what we want and that we always need more. I recall looking through a toy catalog for a gift suggestion and not being able to find an age-appropriate toy that my child didn’t already have. It can be difficult to entertain ourselves or our children because we have had so many exciting experiences that keep getting bigger and better.
In the United States, in addition to our basic needs being met we have so many of our wants satisfied with many privileges and opportunities. I often lose sight of this. At least for today, I will try to be thankful for what I have and remember the profound words, “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.”
REALationships 