Guten Tag Sweet Friends!

Ever heard the expression, “first world problems?” This is of course opposed to third world problems, i.e. serious issues in third world countries like no clean drinking water. In some countries a woman’s only job is carrying drinkable water from the source to the home. In some cases this might mean walking 20 miles and returning with several gallons of water.  This is a third world problem. A first world problem is your iPhone battery going dead just when you are expecting a call from your boyfriend. Get it?

I was reminded of this today. The cleaning service we hired to clean the apartment was due to come this morning at 9 AM. At 9:40 AM no one had arrived. Needless to say I was irritated. I emailed the owner and told her no one had arrived. She called me soon thereafter and said that the employee was sick but had not called to let her know. I told her no shows were unacceptable. She said she would personally come in the afternoon and clean the apartment herself. She said she would be there at 2 PM. My yoga class was from 1-2, so I left yoga a little early so that I could meet her. You see where this is going right? She of course was not here at 2 PM. At 2:15, I called her and asked her where she was. She said she was crossing the road and would be here in 2 mins. When she arrived, I explained to her that being late was just as bad as being a no show in my opinion. Being late is a sign of complete disrespect; it indicates that you have absolutely no respect for my time. I explained this to her and told her that being late again was not an option.  I was not mean nor did I ever raise my voice, but I was firm and very clear. She apologized and for the next 3 hours she cleaned and did not speak. I’m sure she was scared of what I might say in return.

But later I thought to myself, what was the big deal really? Jeez, did I really need to give her a lecture? Was it that important? The irritation I experienced today was truly a first world problem. OMG, my cleaning service was late, and OMG I had to leave my yoga class 10 minutes early!!!! Next thing you know my plastic surgeon will call and reschedule my long awaited face lift. Just kidding. Not going there. I just returned from a quick trip to Milan Italy and before that Corsica France and before that Paris France!!!! These are places most people in the US will never see, and I just “up and went” because I can.

In the big picture, it’s just not that big of a deal. In fact, very little is a big deal. I should be so filled with gratitude and joy every day that things like this just don’t matter. I am truly one of the luckiest people on the planet. I’m living the dream right now for the love. I have no right to complain or be annoyed.

I have everything I need. Everything. I have wonderful friends, a terrific son, a brother who loves me, an ex-husband who loves me, a beautiful place to live, plenty of food to eat and I’m healthy and sober. Life is good. Hell, life is freaking fabulous my friends!!! AND, I know that it’s only going to get better. I love my life. I love my friends and family. I thank the Universe for giving me everything I need to be happy. And, I thank the Universe for my first world problems. I’m thankful my problems are not third world problems like so many other people have. I have no struggles or hardships. I’m truly one of the luckiest people on the planet!!!

Thank you for being a part of my wonderful life, for reading my journal, for giving your support through your comments and emails, and for letting me rant on an off day. 🙂

Much love from your very lucky friend!