If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 would be Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth
All 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
(ONE)1 would be near death;
(ONE)1 would be near birth;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would own a computer.
When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.
And, therefore . . .
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all. As you read this and are reminded how life is in the rest of the world, remember just how blessed you really are!
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this was lovely! sad.. but reminds me just how blessed I really am. Sometimes I think we all lose sight of it.
ReplyDeleteThis was a most lovely write. My own personal favourite quotation is "Todays Gratitude Buys you Tomorrows Happiness"
ReplyDeleteI read that when things was not too good and since then I have always been grateful for the things and people I have.
Take care.
Yvonne
Very true. In the grand scheme of things, we all lose sight of the blessings we have been showered with. I love the quote "todays gratitute buys you tomorrow happiness." How true and apt it is. Thank you both for your much appreciated input :)
ReplyDeletei was just talking with a friend about that god forsaken continent we're living in ( Africa ) so i guess that mode shifter came just in time
ReplyDeleteAfrica may appear to be a god forsaken continent but its one of the continents that is filled with simple beautiful souls.Simple livng; high thinking.Africans may be poor in riches but they are rich in their believes,strength and fighting spirit. I do have a good friend from Kenya and Im blessed to have such a beautiful acquaintance from such a beautiful continent. Thanks for your comment Jim :)
ReplyDeleteThis certainly is food for thought. Your words often cause me to stop and reflect. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDeb, the feeling is definitely mutual :).
ReplyDeleteHey everyone. This is so wow!!!I was looking for things to do then i just typed in if we could shrink the world and this came up.I loved it and i told my citizenship teacher and now we do it in class and for homework im doing it now for homework so if you know anymore infomation me let me now ok thank you!
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