Wildfires, melting ice sheets, plunging Arctic temperatures, constant prophesying the next recession is on the horizon, the humanitarian and military disaster in Syria, 70 million refugees worldwide, species disappearing at a rapid rate, Russia thumbing her nose at the U.S.; Hong Kong riots and Beijing’s heavy-handed reaction, China’s routine exploitation of American companies’ technology as a price of doing business, and the uncertainty created by the Trump tariffs. These are real problems, problems we should be concerned about — and that’s just a sampler. This grim list omits mention of all the smoke and noise emitting from Washington, D.C., from the impeachment furor to the hyper-partisanship and general ugliness that has metastasized in our political discourse and paralyzed the national legislative process.
This concoction of woes could cloud the sunny attitude of a die-hard optimist. Add to these the personal vicissitudes which life brings to each of us and anyone might begin to droop under their combined weight.
But! Have you observed the deep blue of our autumnal sky? Have you breathed the sweet 55-degree air? Have you talked to an 8-year-old about what he or she loves to do at recess? Have you seen one of Utah’s remarkable sunsets or the splendid harvest moon? Have you beheld the newfound fervor of an LSU football fan?
Have you visited the hospital room of someone trying to survive chemo treatment or visited a friend with Parkinson’s disease? Have you looked in a parent’s eyes whose child is in jail or addiction recovery treatment or mental health treatment? Have you spoken to someone who is chronically unemployed or living in poverty? Someone without health insurance? Have you attended the funeral of a parent, child or spouse who died much too early?
Have you recently traveled to another country and compared its culture, opportunities, liberties and economy to our own? Have you seen any of the first-class concerts, plays, dance performances or Broadway touring shows Utah routinely offers in our world-class venues? Have you ridden TRAX, FrontRunner, or the brand new UVX bus rapid transit and marveled how you avoided the hassle of driving, traffic jams and parking?
And how about the Jazz?
Do you know anyone living in Madagascar or the Democratic Republic of the Congo where 97% of citizens live on less than $5.50 per day and three-fourths live on less than $1.90 per day? Or Venezuela, from which more than 4 million citizens have fled and those remaining live with drastic shortages of food and medicine and live under a repressive, corrupt regime, notwithstanding their nation being rich with oil, iron, bauxite and other natural resources?
Do you know anyone in prison or jail who has lost their livelihood, independence, standing in the community, their dreams for the future and maybe even their family?
One may say that contentment and happiness don’t necessarily flow from comparing our own good circumstances with the difficulties others live with. Still, one can hardly be aware of the great tribulations others must bear without realizing one’s own blessedness. Yes, we all have our own pack of burdens to carry. But we should always, always remember that no matter how trying our circumstances are, we live in a wonderful world, a beautiful place.
We should always, always remember that no matter how trying our circumstances are, we live in a wonderful world, a beautiful place.
The other day, I asked a small group of people if they would change places with Louis XIV of France or any other rich and powerful person in history. We uniformly agreed that showers, modern medicine and the comfort and conveniences most of us enjoy as a matter of course in this great age far surpass the luxuries kings and queens could command generations ago.
Utah’s unemployment is virtually non-existent. Jobs are plentiful. Education is nominally available to all, although there are still barriers for some. The federal government-stated poverty rate is at 11%, but more exhaustive studies say it’s less than 3% when adjusting for spending and actual lifestyle. We are overcoming many diseases and putting many fatal ones into chronic but survivable condition. The ease of buying things is unprecedented, as is the cost.
Let us confess to God above and those around us thanksgiving for our great blessings — family, health, prosperity, freedom, friends, peace, access to information, Utah’s beauty, and the wonderful privilege of being U.S. citizens.
Greg Bell is the former lieutenant governor of Utah and the current president and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association.