Familiar But Often Taken For Granted

Are you familiar with what some people call the Seven Wonders of the World? Many of you will be able to rhyme them off, while others will be able to remember only a few.

Among these are the following: Egypt’s Great Pyramids, Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon, Panama Canal, Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Great Wall of China. Now, other people might also include the Great Barrier Reef and a few others. So, what is the significance of these? Are there more that should be added to the list?

Everyday Wonders
There are a number of wonders that we see everyday but really do not attribute them to be wonders at all. These wonders are only more obvious to those people who may not have them, or only have a few.

Some of us have lost one of these wonders, and some of us have gotten it back. Others once lost, will usually never be obtained again.

One of these wonders is the ability to see. For those of us fortunate enough to see all that lies before us, the morning sun rise, the moon in the night sky, the vibrant colors of many birds, or the sparkle in the eyes of our children, think of those who would happily trade places with you so they could experience this wonder of life.

And, let’s add to this list and include the wonderment of touch, taste, laughter and love. If we were to lose any of these wonders, would we now think differently about the wonders of the world?

What We Take For Granted
Imagine a world where you lost some of all of these abilities. For what we have we are often ungrateful or take for granted. We can also add the wonder of freedom to live in a country and society that has as one of its main tenets freedom of speech, freedom to vote in a democratic process, freedom to practice your religion, or the freedom of movement from area to area.

In the upcoming election in Canada, or for that matter, elections in any democracy, the expected voter turn out, given the past several elections, is predicted to be fall well below seventy percent. One has to wonder whether voter apathy is higher among our young people who have never had to experience hardships felt by so many of the older voter. Or, maybe it is simply a matter that they do not feel their voice would make a difference. Are these words of the right to vote taken for granted? Where is the wisdom in failing to exercise a freedom that affects our internal and world relationships?

We do not have to look very hard to see countries in the world where people are speaking with their lives to secure the right to freedom, the right to live in a country where there is no tyrannical leader or dictator.

How Do You Respond
Do you have an appreciation for the wonders in your life. When someone asks you what the wonders of world are, how will you respond?

Inspirational Quotes To Consider
“We can never sneer at the stars, mock the dawn, or scoff at the totality of being.” Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Learning to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you is one of the keys to your happiness.” Tom Giaquinto

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Cynthia Ozick

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