You are privileged. The fact that you can read this post on whatever device makes you privileged. Very few of us really understand how privileged we are and I am guilty myself of forgetting this sometimes. Today I would like to remind you and myself of this gift that not many have in this world.

You have probably seen many quotes of what privileged means. One that stuck to me was; “If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table, and a roof over your head. You are richer than you think.”  This quote should be a constant reminder and a wake up call to you of who you are and what you are lucky to have. Yes, we are lucky and fortunate.

In that quote, people around the world don’t even have half of it, one or two of it, or any of it. We can empathize, sure, but deep down we cannot even begin to imagine what we take for granted. You can make yourself create an environment of what a slum dweller has but how long will you last? We can’t even last without our phones for 10 minutes. Let alone the trial run of a slum dweller’s life.

We talk about it in the comfort of our living room and that’s where it stops. And that’s the problem. We talk but rarely do anything. I have personally held these conversations at dinner parties and social gatherings. I have been fortunate enough to go out in the field and help those who are less privileged.

I don’t do it so I feel like I have completed my responsibility to be a good citizen or a good human. I don’t do it  to avoid being labeled as the person who talks and doesn’t walk. I don’t do it cause it is required of me due to my major or high school diploma. I don’t it so that I can make others feel guilty for not doing anything themselves.

I do it because it reminds me of how lucky I am. I do it because it gives me a break from the mainstream privileged society. I do it because I see the purest and kindest smiles on those who are less privileged. I do it because I am given the love and welcome that no stranger would give me without doubting me for coming into their house if I were to go to some middle-class family.

I do it to see pure innocence from those who barely have anything but not from those who have it all. I do it because I am offered tea and biscuits selflessly when they can’t even put food on their own plates. I do it because the love and importance I am given by them is so pure and selfless that it always brings me down on my knees.

I have done quite a bit of community service in India. I am truly happy that it was introduced to me. I consider it food for my soul really. I am going back to India for a month now to do some community service and to understand that class of people better through gender studies and social entrepreneurship. Those of you who know me, I plan to continue doing this for the rest of my life. It keeps me human and it keeps me grounded.

I am not saying it is a bad thing to be privileged. It is good. It should be used as an advantage. Do something with it and you can pick the impact you want to make, it can be small or huge. It’s just that so many of us forget what may seem like nothing to us might be everything to someone else.

So the next time you decide to call it quits or want to say your life is miserable. Think twice. Remember the bigger picture. Understand what you have is more than what many don’t have. You were given the privileged life so don’t exploit it, instead take advantage of it. Make sure to be grounded and not let it consume you to the point where you are inhumane.

 Indian Chameleon’s Obiter Dictum for the Day
Thank you for reading this and I hope that I got you to think. That’s all I wanted.