Have you been grateful today?

Spending weekend in Cibuluh Village is kinda slap on the cheeks. The acknowledgement of me being such a spoiled brat jolted me the minute I start rethink about Cibuluh. The village, the people, the warm welcomes, the humility… All the graces above their insufficient daily needs.

They live in a mediocre life and careful use of their food. Yet, by the time I arrived at the house where my roomies and I should spend our weekend, Ibu hosted me warmly and offered me a plate of warm rice generously. Yes, just a plate of warm rice.

She was really sorry and felt guilty that Bapak couldn’t catch any fish the night before so she couldn’t serve some proper food. She’s not sorry for not being able to give her 2 little kids food but rice. She’s sorry for not being able to serve us fried fish.

Have you been grateful for food you’ve eaten today? Every single rice grain you’ve had in your tummy? Cause boy, you’ve no idea how they work hard for a liter of rice. Not even fish, or maybe beef you can purchase with your pocket money easily.

Have you been grateful for clean water you use for bathing? The hot water? They are lack of clean water so every time it is raining, they collect the freezing water in big narrow buckets and use it for their daily needs. There is no hot water there, even though it’s around 18oC and 10-14oC on the night till dawn.

Have you been grateful for your TV Cable? Your Blackberry? Your Mac? Your Apple Ipod? Your hairdryer? Your electronic stuffs which consume hell like a lot of electricity? People of Cibuluh use their electricity only for lighting on the nights and small inches TV in the days.

You, living in a big city, rotten in hectic schedules with all sufficient daily needs, have you ever thought about people out there, out where they have to work that hard for their prime daily needs?

Have you ever thought how blessed you are? Have you said thank you?

No matter what you are—an agnostic, a Christian, a Moslem, a Buddhist, a Sikhist, a Jainist, a Santerian or what—take a moment each and every day. Being grateful. Being thanks for all the blessings shed upon you.

For the food, water, electricity, fluffy warm bed, health, clean clothes, warm weather, chances of going to various places, opportunities to do a lot of things, and lot of blessings.

Let’s say thank you and be grateful :)