A few months ago I saw a video someone posted on Facebook. It showed a woman having an absolute meltdown because her iPhone wasn’t working properly. Perhaps you experienced something similar as I heard many customers lost information with Apple’s latest system update.
The woman in the video was ranting and raving as if the world was coming to an end. She was visibly upset and extremely angry, to say the least.
Unfortunately, videos like this one often become a source of comedy and amusement in the Internet world. How could anyone actually act that way over such a silly thing? But let’s be honest, we have all probably had an experience like this, especially when it comes to our technology.
Then I looked at the comments for this video, as I often find the comments as insightful and entertaining, if not more so, than the video itself.
A page or two into the comments, past all those that made fun of her or commiserated with her, was one that stopped me in my tracks. The comment was three short and simple words —
“First World Problem”
Whoa. That put life in perspective pretty fast.
If I took a moment to consider my life, I would have to admit that well over 99% of my supposed problems are first world problems.
I have my health. I have a roof over my head. I never go to bed hungry. Come on, do I really have problems?
The truth is, if malfunctioning technology, rush hour traffic, the grocery store being temporarily out of stock of my favorite brand, car problems or any other similar challenges are the kinds of things I think are “problems”, then I shouldn’t be annoyed . . . I should be grateful.
I can’t think of a better time than Thanksgiving to feel grateful for all of my first world problems.
Next week when we Americans sit down at our Thanksgiving tables with friends and family, why not take a moment to be thankful for all our first world problems. May they be all we ever have to worry about.
“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
– Alphonse Karr
Perspective is everything. I totally understand that even if our problems are first world problems, they still appear as problems in our lives that need to be handled. They can be just as frustrating and worrisome as other bigger problems.
But perhaps at least once a year, those of us enjoying the luxuries afforded to us in the first world should stop long enough to see the incredibly beautiful rose growing among our first world problem thorns.
If you want a good chuckle, take a look at the video below. I can’t think of a better person to highlight this concept, and poke fun of some of the things we think are problems, than Weird Al Yankovic.
Rich Largman
Empire of Hope 