Hi, @minismallholding.
Blessings and privileges? Interesting topic. You know, for some reason or due to social conditioning, we tend to see the glass as half empty. Undoubtedly, women have been abused in many ways for generations, but if we also delved into the history of their male counterparts, we might find many surprises. For example, I was born a man of mixed race in a Latin American country where racial discrimination was almost nonexistent. Like you, I have much to be grateful for: growing up without suffering the hunger of past generations, and my parents' dedication to providing me with an excellent education that allowed me to function with relative success in society. But, as in any cycle, one is not exempt from the ups and downs of fortune, no matter how prepared one might be. In an instant, anyone could go from stability to functional destitution. Don't believe me? Many of my countrymen (including myself) fell into this situation as a result of hyperinflation, perhaps the worst in modern history. However, this is an opportunity to test resilience, explore, and develop other talents.
Although I've quoted him on more than one occasion, the words of the wise Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset remain relevant: "I am myself and my circumstances." In that sense, one could compare oneself to others and look for reasons to condemn oneself or to be grateful. Therefore, it's worthwhile to see the glass as half empty (lamenting) or half full (giving thanks) for our current situation. I like to give thanks, even for the adversities I face daily.
I believe the focus lies elsewhere. In the capacity to appreciate what one is: a wonderful being existing in a complex and unjust world. Of course, adhering to some other Stoic precepts, I conclude that, in the end, privileges and blessings, although determined by the place we occupy in the world, reside essentially in the freedom to act upon them. It is up to each of us to exercise that freedom. It's a shame that so many ignore it or are unable to recognize it.
Greetings.
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I always look forward to your insightful additions to my posts. 😊
Exactly! This is one of the things that prompts me to write on these kinds of topics. We are only able to complain about the smaller injustices when we are in a blessed/privileged enough position to be able to do so, as opposed to just trying to survive. In first world countries, at the moment, this is the position we are in and many are so busy complaining about being victimised they often fail to see how safe and stable life currently is for them. The fact that they can complain in this way illustrates just how good we have it.
Hyperinflation has happened throughout history and the fact that it is happening in countries today should make it obvious that no country will ever be immune to it. Wars happen, disasters happen and if we want to survive through them we can't play the victim and hope for help. We survive by looking through the perspective of what good we can find. For my grandparents that perspective came from living through a war.
Absolutely! Sometimes on social media it can feel like complaints about men, the patriarchy and women being suppressed is constant. Often instead of using history to demonstrate how far we've come with equality in this area they use the past to heap more criticism upon men. That glass half empty view rather than the half full one which would show us just how far we've come. Much of the examples given from the past rely on what we know of the wealthy and the ruling classes, too, but if you look at the common people oppression was across the board no matter what your sex.