When I was in South and Central America, I saw poverty conditions that broke my heart. I also saw folks living very simple lives, but who appreciated what they had and were happy. A family I stayed with for awhile had a cinder block house that was basicly one room. We moved room dividers around to form the rooms as needed, there were fold away hooks in the walls for hammocks to sleep in, and simple furniture. On the weekend we would move all the furniture outside, hose down the inside of the house and sweep it clean. I really grew to enjoy the simplicty and the rhythm of daily work.
When I came home to Indiana, the first trip to the grocery store stopped me in my tracks - facing the produce department I had tears in my eyes; I lifted a huge, perfect apple from the bin and started to cry. I was so struck by this bounty that was so far out of reach for the poorest people in the world - and how I had taken it for granted for so many years. "Mom, we live like royalty in this country, and we don't even realize it!" She nodded and reminded me that it's human nature to "get used to" things - even growing up in the depression, she knew she had forgotten to appreciate what she had. "There are lots of good reminders, though - we just need to learn from them each time, I guess."
I do forget from time to time; sometimes I'll complain about a bill or the price of food; or wish that I could win the lottery. I'm always thankful though, for the bodhisattvas who are a bell of mindfulness - to remind me of my good fortune, and to remind me that rather than fussing over silly complaints, I could use those energies to work on the real inner issues keeping me from my true self.
