I’m laughing at a few first world problems I’ve overheard this week.
I’ll admit when I’m guilty, and laugh harder when I’m not. These may be heard from friends, family, or myself, but are really worth a laugh and got me thinking most people I am around are very blessed, and live fruitful lives. Anyone who is quoted here FOR SURE works hard and is entitled to their opinions, preferences, etc, but it is a good reminder of our first world luxuries.
“I have a special heater for my legs when I’m at my desk”.
“I really want a tortilla right now.” (-When following a dietary challenge and choosing not to eat specific foods.)
“I didn’t make the polenta for dinner because it expired a week ago.” (-Ok that one was me. I ended up making polenta from scratch that was probably older than the packaged one, but because there wasn’t a date on it I seemed to trust it more. So logical, right!?
“I want the purple plate.” On repeat for 30 minutes. (-Two year old. Go figure. I really don’t want to hear what third world kids wine about because I know likely legit things that will put my spoiled two year old to shame.)
“I went to my massage appointment but I booked it for the wrong day. I’m so annoyed and let down.” (-This was me. Different week. But me….)
“I went to three stores to find a the right gift for so-and-so’s 6 year old’s birthday.”
“We keep our small home pretty comfortable…year round…” (Me, chatting with a solar company to decide if it was worth an investment.)
I don’t think I am that much of a complainer, really, but my husband keeps me honest. He will let me know if I’m in an exaggerated state of complaining. On the flipside I am pretty darn appreciative of the little things and strive to honor the blessings that our first world provides for us and that we can provide for our babies. Instilling that in children is such a task, such a trick, yet so crucial.
Full circle moment- I grew up in a very large house. Like 6 bathrooms large. Beauty and the beast stairs. Not kidding. It was fun and all but the older I got I realized that I didn’t want anything like that. It wasn’t important to me. Finishing college and having a few years of working in my dream field making non-minimum wage money lead me to believe that no matter where I was on the pay scale having an uber nice home wasn’t important to me. I don’t judge when it is important for people. But I wanted to not hate my house payment, and I wanted to afford family vacations, and maybe above all, I didn’t want to clean >5000 square feet. I would have so many more first world problems with a big house.
The whole point of the phrase “first world problems” to point out the absurdity of it all, to ground us all to a point where we realize that our words and actions can be so important, that if we believe they can define us, well then they can! So joke or don’t joke, do complain about the 5 dollar coffee drink being too hot or too sweet or having too many pumps, or don’t. But when all is said and done are we teaching our future generation that these first world problems are just silly inconveniences or preferences? Or are they really picking up on this being how things really are? I worry that my kids will see enough first world problems in their environment to dominate their problems. I guess that can be a good thing, but my kids need to be able to tell the difference between a real problem and a first world one, laugh (or cry), then move on.
Also I truly believe all children should volunteer regularly or visit a third world country preferably in their formative years. Not that one has to live in or visit a third world country to experience financial turmoil or depravity, but most people in our lives have more than 1 present under the Christmas tree if you catch my drift. These out of comfort zone experiences (volunteer work, traveling, etc) can really ignite a delicate empathy and honor for all humans that can’t be taught.