Every gift—of time, health, wealth, safety, knowledge, talent, skill, experience, opportunity, and freedom—demands something from you…
But this “demand” is no commandment and not some resentful duty.
Quite simply, this “demand” is the natural child of perspective:
… of the realization that your successes have far more to do with your privileged inheritance and good fortune than anything you’ve accomplished on your own initiative.
… of the realization that there are so many others who, through no fault of their own, are not equally blessed.
… of the realization that you can give only because you have the good fortune of having something to give.
… of the realization that we who have fared better in the lottery of life have a natural responsibility to those less fortunate.
… of the realization that the joy of receiving must be reinvested in the joy of giving.
… of the realization that it’s a privilege, not a burden, to share your time, treasure, and talents with others.
… and of the realization that you have so much more to be grateful for than to be proud of.
[insert audio?]
Pass me the holiday turkey, peas
and the delicious stuffing flanked
by buttered potatoes with gravy
since I’ve said grace with plenty ease
for the good food received I’ve thanked
my Maker who’s found me worthy.
It seems that unlike the many of those
in the unlucky Third World nation
I’ve been found by God deserving
to not have to endure the awful woes
and the stomach wrenching starvation
suffered by them with no dinner serving.
So hand me the succulent corn
the cranberry sauce, fresh baked bread
since for my grub I’ve praised the Lord
yet I need not hear about those born
whose meal I’ve been granted instead
as they receive naught of the grand hoard.
Thank you for being among those who get it, anonymous and satirical friend of the world.
Frank, if I’m not being too forward ~ how are things going with your various health challenges? Should I ask? Yes? No? Yes, of course? No, how rude can you be?…. 🤯
Not being too forward in the least, Ana. On the contrary, thanks for caring and thanks for asking. I am doing remarkably well, considering… thanks to the marvels of medical science, my team of medical professionals, and small circle of family and friends. Just how terminal I am remains to be seen, but in the meantime I’m doing my best not to waste any heartbeats.
(((Hugs!)))
You don’t want prayers, so I send good thoughts! ✨
I accept! 🌻
Isn’t it wonderful, the way we two build bridges between us! Hope for this world!
‘Tis wonderful and hopeful indeed. ✌💜
🤗
Wow, Frank. Your post today really hits home. I love this: “… of the realization that the joy of receiving must be reinvested in the joy of giving.”
So very true. ❤️
Your words of appreciation and resonance give me hope for the world, my friend. Thanks & Cheers.
Words of wisdom … and ones that we ALL need to be reminded of from time to time. Thank you, Frank, for your insight and for this very timely reminder.
Heartened by your resonance, Jill. Sonething I need to remind MYSELF each and every day.
You’ve hit the target, Frank. For the past several years I’ve been saying that those of us born into the leading edge of Baby Boom life in this country had the good fortune to exist in the safest and most prosperous place in the most privileged moment in world history. This is not an exaggeration.
I obtained a good public high school education and went to a college where my tuition was slightly less than $100 per quarter — less than $300 per year! At Northwestern, my grad school education was essentially free, but for the work I did as a teaching assistant, a research assistant, a relatively well paid clinically psychology internship, and a fellowship.
For those of us who were white, had parents who were in the working class, and were born healthy with decent brains, everything was possible. I have tried to pay it forward, as have old high school friends who, with me, established a college scholarship for underprivileged students at our much changed school. It was a responsibility but also very fulfilling.
Those who belong to a different historical moment and will live well beyond me, now must contend with climate change, political unrest, and substance abuse my peers knew nothing about. I hope they meet the challenge of their time.
Thanks, as always, for your deeply considered commentary and for being a voice of reason and decency, Gerald.