Appreciating the Little Blessings

When I travel to Nairobi city, I observe some bizarre scenes and people. I for instance see disabled beggars sitting silently by the roadside, watching pedestrians pass by, obviously wishing some of them will drop a few coins in their begging bowls. Some of the beggars have a story of their fate written on a placard beside them.

Last year while walking on a busy street in Nairobi, I saw a man whose nose had been cut off. He looked frighteningly ugly without his nose; if little girls were to meet him, they would get real scared. I could have stopped the man and asked him what happened to his nose but because I always try to mind my own business, I walked past him without exchanging a word with him.

Later on when I reflected on the fate of that man, I felt an immense sense of gratitude for my handsome face. You see, I have come to admire the way I look since I lost weight two years ago. Whenever I have a photo of myself taken, I am usually eager to share it on social media. And it delights me when friends comment that I look good.

While I have felt proud of my good looks, that man I saw without a nose must have been dreading to be seen by others. I can imagine his pain whenever he catches a glimpse of himself on reflective surfaces such as the glass walls that adorn some of the buildings in downtown Nairobi. Whatever happened to his nose, he is unfortunate to be without it.

Two weeks ago, I read a story in the "Saturday Nation" newspaper of an even more unfortunate man. The man had developed a cancer of the jaws that had spread to other parts of his head and severely disfigured his face. He appeared so grotesque in a picture in the newspaper that I had trouble viewing it.

As I averted my eyes from the picture, I read the story of the man with heightened interest and learnt the travails he had undergone while seeking treatment for his cancer. I also learnt how his family had been impoverished by the high medical bill incurred during his treatment.

The man's ordeals set me thinking about all the "little" blessings that I tend to take for granted. I thought of how I enjoy swallowing food, playing the piano, going for a walk and just letting my mind wander. Truly, those are "little" blessings worth rejoicing over.

But you know what? Instead of feeling eternally grateful for those "little" blessings, I sometimes worry about what I lack. I wonder when I will ever fall in love, own a swanky car, build my own home and travel overseas.

At other times, I have been consumed with guilt and bitterness when I remember the sins I have committed and the wrongs others have done to me. Such feelings of guilt and bitterness have made me forget the "little" blessings I have that would make some unfortunate people feel on top of the world if they were to have them.

I am undoubtedly blessed. So from now henceforth, I will strive to focus more on what I have than what I lack. I will appreciate "little" blessings like having a handsome face, swallowing food with ease, going for a walk and thinking beautiful thoughts. Not an unwise thing for you to do as well, my beloved reader!

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RECOMMENDATION: If you've enjoyed the above story on appreciating the little blessings, you might also enjoy another one on "Contentment" which I wrote a few years ago. Just click on that link in blue to dive straight into the story.