To view more of Sophia's art go to

www.sophia-elise.artistwebsites.com/ or

to purchase prints and cards of her artwork go to

www.fineartamerica.com/shop/sophia-elise.html


If you see an artwork on this website that you like but it's already sold - please contact Sophia as she does commissions.





Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Gratitude - how many of us truly feel grateful for the priviledged lives we lead

If you don't feel that you have anything to be grateful for in your life - then take a moment to read this - and really think about it - it puts a lot of things in perspective ....

If you could fit the entire population of the world into a village consisting of 100 people maintaining proportions of all these people on earth that village would consist of
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 Americans (North, Central, South)
8 Africans

There would be
52 Women and 48 Men
30 Christians and 70 non Christians
89 Heterosexuals and 11 homosexuals
6 people would posses 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA
80 would live in poverty
70 would be illiterate
50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition
1 would be dying
1 would be being born
1 would own a computer
1 (yes only 1) would have a university degree

If we looked at the world this way the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.

But consider again the following:-

If you woke this morning in good health you were more lucky that one million people who won't live through the week

If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation then you are better off that 500 million people

If you can go to your place of worship without fear that someone will assault or kill you then you are luckier than 3 billion (yes that's right!) people

If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are wealthier than 75% of the worlds population

If you currently have money in the bank, in your pocket and a few coins in your purse you are one of 8 of the privileged few out of the 100 people of the world

If your parents are still alive and married then you are a rare individual

If you can read this message the you are lucky that you don't comprise the 200 billion people who cant read


This message will never reach the less fortunate people that it mentions - but it will reach the small percentage of people that live that priviledged life who can make a difference to those less fortunate. Remember we all have the power to make a difference in someones life (just remember the starfish story from last month)

Also remember to be thankful for what we have, have gratitude always and most of all embrace the lives we have and live them fully. Live a life of purpose.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Once again you have touched many hearts with your sharings..

I often pray that beings would take a moment in the day and appreciate what they have-It's sad that we live in a world that is divided into freedom of choice- and No freedom at all- these two world often ignore the other. It's blessings like you who take that moment to share with the world how to meet in the middle and try to give an understanding of it all..
I admire your trust in people to make a change.

Sophia Elise said...

Hi - I feel very humbled by your praise - I'ma at a loss for words (which is rare lol) - I'm pleased that you are able to gain something from my blog - I hope that others do too .... thank you so much for taking the time to leave me this message - it really is appreciated :-)