Just Another Day in Paradise
She calls out to the man on the street
"Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep
Is there somewhere you can tell me?"
-Phil Collins
A Thanksgiving Reality Check
She stands there in the cold, a cardboard sign her only voice. I drive past, like thousands before me, my mind already on the turkey in the oven and the football game about to start. The scene, reminiscent of the classic Phil Collins song, which was released in 1989, somehow feels more prevalent today than ever.
This Thanksgiving holiday, as we gather with family members, the mood can feel tense. Social media feeds overflow with vitriol. News channels blast opposing narratives. Family discussions can simmer with political tension. Sometimes it seems that the very fabric of our communities is fraying at the edges.
But pause with me for a moment.
Take a deep breath and look around. Really look.
That smartphone you're probably reading this on? It holds more computing power than what took humans to the moon. The grocery stores we complain about being too crowded? They're stocked with abundance that kings of old couldn't imagine. The medical care we grumble about scheduling? It would seem like magic to our ancestors.
We're living in paradise. We've just forgotten to notice.
I don’t mean to minimize our country’s real and significant challenges. Racial injustice persists. The political divide feels like a chasm. Healthcare costs can crush families financially. Homelessness is more prevalent than ever. These are serious issues that demand attention and action.
But perspective is a powerful thing.
While we weigh the pros and cons of which phone to upgrade to next, there are areas of the world that lack reliable electricity. As we scroll through restaurant choices online, millions wonder where their next meal will come from. While we complain about slow internet, many lack basic literacy.
We are blessed with the freedom to disagree openly, a right countless men and women throughout history have died for. We have access to education, information, and opportunities that previous generations could only dream of. Even the poorest Americans can have amenities that would seem luxurious to many in other parts of the world.
This isn't about guilt. It's about gratitude. And more importantly, it's about responsibility.
The societal divisions we bemoan are evidence of our freedom to hold different views. The political arguments at our Thanksgiving tables happen because we can safely express dissent. Social media battles occur because we have platforms that can make our voices heard.
But with privilege comes obligation. If we are truly blessed, which we are, then we have a duty to build bridges instead of walls. To extend hands rather than point fingers. To listen more than we speak.
This Thanksgiving, I challenge you to look beyond your immediate circle. That homeless person from the beginning of this post? She has a name. A story. Dreams that may not be so different from yours. Those relatives whose political views make your blood boil? They too hope for a better future, even if their vision differs from yours.
Here are some things to consider:
When engaging with someone who holds opposing views, don’t try to convert them, but seek to understand them.
Get involved at a local shelter or food bank – not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
Next time you pass someone in need, remember that classic Phil Collins song. Maybe stop. Listen. Share.
Look for ways to turn privilege into purpose.
Our problems are real, but they're often problems of paradise, first-world problems. They’re challenges that arise from abundance rather than scarcity. This Thanksgiving, let's be grateful not just for what we have, but for the opportunity to share. To build bridges. To make a difference.
In the end, we're not just blessed. We're blessed with the power to be a blessing to others.
And that's something truly worth being thankful for.
What will you do with your paradise?