My blue ink cartridge is supposed to arrive tomorrow.  I have been without blue ink for one and a half days!  That means I cannot print out pictures.  I will survive.

When I realize just how many people in this world have to live their lives, or part of their lives, being without something, I don’t feel so bad.  How can I feel bad?  I have so much going for me in this life. 

Being without my blue ink gives me the opportunity to look at other aspects of my life, and at other interests.  If the blue ink had not run out, I likely would not have cleaned up my pool today.  Instead, I would likely have sat at the computer creating more popup designs.  I certainly would not have written this essay.  I likely would not have taken the time to think about all that I do have. 

Hey, wait a minute.  What about all those folks who are deprived of many of the conveniences of life?  Are they able to step back, as I have done today, and think about all that they do have in life?  Hey, if I were deprived of many creature comforts, would I have been able to step back and think about all I do have? 

All this leads me to think about how spoiled I am – in the worldly realm of things.  Hey, I think I am spoiled in the not-very-worldly realm of things.  If I were to admit it, I am just plain spoiled.  My God!  Being without a blue ink cartridge for less than two days! 

Okay  So what can I say to show my gratitude to God, and to providence?  Wait a minute.  That’s not enough.  I really should do something to help humanity in their state of being more deprived than I. 

I really should get out there into the community and give back.  I should give money to charities.  I should write letters of support to those advocating uplifting the downtrodden.

God, forgive me for being so selfish.  Forgive me for treating a missing ink cartridge as if it were the end of my world – albeit, for a couple of days.

I know.  When that blue ink cartridge arrives tomorrow, I should really set it aside, and forsaking it, give rise to my new-found-desire to assist others less fortunate.

Hmm.  At least my thoughts are in the right place.  God forgive me if my actions are not.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com