Lucky of the draw to be born where I was

[dragoneggs]

I am sitting in an airport in Xi'an China at the moment reflecting on how lucky I am to have have been hatched by random luck in a country that has allowed me to have a wonderful life. I, and my bet is that most of us on this forum, often take for granted the freedom, land and space we have to work and play. I am reminded each time I travel to Asia and see how most people in this world live.

Just wanted others here to stop for a minute or two, take a breath of fresh air (not much of that in China), and appreciate what you have... Family, friends, some land that is yours, and yes... A TRACTOR. How cool is that?:cool2:

 

[wngsprd]

Well said. Safe travels home.

 

[Gunny]

Like one of the old timers around here used to say "I'd rather be hung by the neck than die a natural death anywhere else!"

 

[dragoneggs]

Well said. Safe travels home.

Thanks, Wngsprd... love your handle. Looking at America from a far provides a different perspective.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I am sitting in an airport in Xi'an China at the moment reflecting on how lucky I am to have have been hatched by random luck in a country that has allowed me to have a wonderful life. I, and my bet is that most of us on this forum, often take for granted the freedom, land and space we have to work and play. I am reminded each time I travel to Asia and see how most people in this world live.

Just wanted others here to stop for a minute or two, take a breath of fresh air (not much of that in China), and appreciate what you have... Family, friends, some land that is yours, and yes... A TRACTOR. How cool is that?:cool2:

I'm with you. I have thought about it many, many times. Sometimes, especially when we're young, we focus on what we don't have. In spite of all of its warts, this is a wonderful country. My wife and I have so much more than either of our parents had it's hard to believe...and hopefully our kids and grand kids will do even better. You don't have to go far, even in your own city, to find many that are less fortunate than you; but that doesn't even compare to the less fortunate in some other countries. And as we mature, one day it hits you...but for an accident of birth, I could be living in poverty, squalor, ignorance and oppression. Thank God and this great country for the head start we were given.

 

[mjarrels]

I spend months at a time in the Philippines where you struggle to find clean potable drinking water. Back home in Virginia, tap water is just fine.

mark

 

[300UGUY]

Thanks! Great post, thought provoking.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm with you. I have thought about it many, many times. Sometimes, especially when we're young, we focus on what we don't have. In spite of all of its warts, this is a wonderful country. My wife and I have so much more than either of our parents had it's hard to believe...and hopefully our kids and grand kids will do even better. You don't have to go far, even in your own city, to find many that are less fortunate than you; but that doesn't even compare to the less fortunate in some other countries. And as we mature, one day it hits you...but for an accident of birth, I could be living in poverty, squalor, ignorance and oppression. Thank God and this great country for the head start we were given.

2Lane... 'accident at birth' is another poignant way to put it! My regret is that I don't believe our kids have the opportunity, initiative, and freedom that our generation did thanks to our fathers and mothers. I hate to feel this way but I believe times are changing. For the good of many? Maybe... I don't know. But I think I see many more folks (young people) these days that think the someone else will support them rather than them yearning to earn their own keep and more.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

It's all a matter of perspective. I'm sure there are millions of Chinese (like Jack Yuan on this forum) who are likely quite happy and content with their lifestyle. I do understand how you feel as I've pondered the same thoughts after 2 trips to India, where supposedly there are 800 million people with no access to what we would consider potable drinking water. I'm sure there are one percenters out there who would be horrified at the thought of having to live my middle class lifestyle, such as having to be herded through airports like cattle while flying commercial instead of on their own personal Global 5000, or god forbid, having to actually work for a living!
BTW I just returned from Florida and I didn't see any warts there, but I did see a lot of really nice yachts!

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

My regret is that I don't believe our kids have the opportunity, initiative, and freedom that our generation did thanks to our fathers and mothers.

Right now we are living what will become some future kids "good old days"