Nicaragua 2014: The Aftermath
It's been almost two months since our trip to Nicaragua and I wanted to share about how my life has been affected since being back. Nothing feels the same now. It is true when people tell you that visiting a third world country will change your life. I can honestly say that not a single day has gone by since our trip that I haven't thought about the people of Nicaragua. I think about them every time I throw away leftovers, every time I take a hot shower, when I climb into bed, and when I take a drink of water. Awareness really is the biggest issue. We all "know" about the situations in these countries, but it is just not the same a seeing it. To be honest I think I have given more thought to these suffering people in the last two months than I ever did in my 21 years of life before our trip.
When we arrived back in the states on July 13, I made a vow with myself that I would not let my longing for material possessions ruin my thoughts any longer. And for the most part I think I have made a huge improvement. But I admit that it only took a week or two before I was obsessing over the kindle fire I wanted, the new clothes I wanted to buy for fall, or all the new cooking tools I wanted. I was already obsessing over looking at cars online since Josh and I are in the process of looking for a new car. I was amazed and disgusted with how quickly I fell back into the daily routine of just looking at things online that I wanted. And it wasn't long before I felt "unhappy" again because I didn't have this or that.
I do have to say that overall I am more content with my blessings than I think I ever have been before. And I have been much happier since coming back from Nicaragua. But as you can see it is so easy to fall back into comparison and coveting. We (maybe just me, I don't know) do it without even thinking about it. We can blame a lot of things: Advertising, internet, technology driven society, etc. And I will not argue that those things don't contribute, but when it comes down to it it is about our hearts and attitudes. We need to choose every day to be thankful for what we have. One of my favorite quotes floating around the internet these days is, "Don't let comparison steal your joy". Because that is where things get tricky. That couple has a nicer house so suddenly you aren't happy with your house. That person drives a nicer car than you so you must get a better car. Their clothes are much nicer than yours so suddenly you are unhappy with your clothes. That guy has a nicer iPad than you, so if you just get one like his you will be happy. But it isn't true.
I am challenging you all to just stop and think about all you have. Think about how many things you have in life that you could live without but you have been given anyway! What a blessing! Why do we continue to let society and advertising change our hearts in such a nasty way? You are in charge of your own attitude not Apple, not Samsung, not Michael Kors, not American Eagle, not Ford or Toyota. So why do we let their words change our attitudes as though they are in charge? Guard your hearts. Don't let satan fill you with bitterness.
When we arrived back in the states on July 13, I made a vow with myself that I would not let my longing for material possessions ruin my thoughts any longer. And for the most part I think I have made a huge improvement. But I admit that it only took a week or two before I was obsessing over the kindle fire I wanted, the new clothes I wanted to buy for fall, or all the new cooking tools I wanted. I was already obsessing over looking at cars online since Josh and I are in the process of looking for a new car. I was amazed and disgusted with how quickly I fell back into the daily routine of just looking at things online that I wanted. And it wasn't long before I felt "unhappy" again because I didn't have this or that.
I do have to say that overall I am more content with my blessings than I think I ever have been before. And I have been much happier since coming back from Nicaragua. But as you can see it is so easy to fall back into comparison and coveting. We (maybe just me, I don't know) do it without even thinking about it. We can blame a lot of things: Advertising, internet, technology driven society, etc. And I will not argue that those things don't contribute, but when it comes down to it it is about our hearts and attitudes. We need to choose every day to be thankful for what we have. One of my favorite quotes floating around the internet these days is, "Don't let comparison steal your joy". Because that is where things get tricky. That couple has a nicer house so suddenly you aren't happy with your house. That person drives a nicer car than you so you must get a better car. Their clothes are much nicer than yours so suddenly you are unhappy with your clothes. That guy has a nicer iPad than you, so if you just get one like his you will be happy. But it isn't true.
I am challenging you all to just stop and think about all you have. Think about how many things you have in life that you could live without but you have been given anyway! What a blessing! Why do we continue to let society and advertising change our hearts in such a nasty way? You are in charge of your own attitude not Apple, not Samsung, not Michael Kors, not American Eagle, not Ford or Toyota. So why do we let their words change our attitudes as though they are in charge? Guard your hearts. Don't let satan fill you with bitterness.
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