August 17, 2021 — Unfathomable, isn’t it, watching the sad madness unfold in Afghanistan and the heartbreak that plagues Haiti. It must be a hundred times a day that I think to myself or hear a colleague, friend or family member say, “We are so blessed.”
I wanted to share with you a most memorable exchange I had a decade ago now with a cab driver on the half-hour ride home from the airport … getting in, I had commented on his immaculate and comfortable car. As handsome and polished as his vehicle, the man thanked me profusely, saying that not everyone would notice, much less pay him the compliment. I grinned and acknowledged that I tend to take nothing and no one for granted. And that was all he needed to hear …
Catching my eye in the rear view mirror, he spoke in an elegant, lyrical Haitian baritone, telling me, “I am the same. But not everyone sees things our way! I recently drove a man to a meeting 90 minutes away. For the first 45 minutes, I listened to him complain about everything from the traffic to the weather to the economy to the resort where he would be staying. He had only negative, thankless things to say. Finally, I could not take it anymore. I pulled over and turned to him and said, ‘Sir, please stop. I can no longer listen to this. I am from Haiti where, a few years ago, hundreds of thousands died in less than a minute, and many now eat dirt. Dirt, sir. They have nothing more.
“I said to the man, ‘Please be grateful for all you have.’ I asked him, ‘Do you not see that you have the comfort of this car and the money to pay me a large amount for taking you in your expensive clothes to a very exclusive hotel? Can you not see how fortunate you are?’ I told him that sometimes I pray, ‘God, you have given me so much and for this I thank you. Please, whatever you plan to give me next, give it to those still living in my homeland, for they have so little.’ I said, ‘We are blessed, sir. May we now just be quiet and ride.’”
In honor of that grateful Haitian and all the people struggling throughout the world, let’s do this with the powerful sense that we’re blessed today: We’ll send you the card above FREE with every order you place through the weekend. And when you send the card to someone who feels like a blessing to you, consider that you are serving as one, too: Proceeds from your purchase will be donated to CARE. Charity Navigator gives the organization four stars for its work “to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice around the globe.”
Thanks for being the sort of person who not only gets this, but lives it. Cardies, you are all blessings through-and-through!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Reminds us to be grateful for everything and everyday. Pray for those that are not as blessed and for those that think that they have nothing to be grateful for.
I find myself praying as I drive to and from work each day, thanking God for everything I am passing (and for the blessing that I can actually see!) Then asking His forgiveness for all the years I took my blessings for granted and never remembered to thank Him at all.
Being grateful is the key to happiness!
Grateful to know you and to be here on this earth with a chance to do better . . to be better every day. Paying it forward just like you!
Everyone is struggling with something., even that well-heeled man in the cab. Bless the driver for having the courage and grace to share from his heart and you for sharing this powerful little story with us. Kindness, and compassion seem to be in short supply these days. Each of us has a role to play in changing that equation. You always inspire with your stories. Thank you 💕
i have just returned from
grocery shopping,
and found your e-mail.
i met a woman at
the seafood counter
who was doing a lot
of what you spoke
about, complaining,
complaining, complaining.
i finally said to her in
my loveliest tone,
“i feel gifted to not
be living in afganistan
or haiti in this moment.”
she mulled that over
and replied “well i am
here and i am living in a far
from perfect situation !”
to which i replied,
“i am sorry that
is your experience .”
i felt sad while i finished my
grocery shopping.
thank you for sharing
that story. it made me
glad i spoke to her.
i am sending grace to her
via the universe.
The stories you share, Jodee, always seem to lead me to a thankful heart.
Thank you, Jodee. With a grateful heart … Susana
God bless & protect those in harms way in Afghanistan and help those in pain and loss in Haiti. I am so thankful for my dear friends and good health. I send my heartfelt best wishes to those less fortunate.
Jodee, you and the lovely cab driver are spot on. It’s funny how our hearts align to feel gratitude and blessings in similar places. I’ve stopped myself several times this past week when I’ve felt a little whining coming on, and said to myself, thinking of these horrific events, I am so blessed,
I have so much.: health, freedom, food, love, a warm bed. And so I will commit daily to lead with compassion and be of service, deeply grateful for all that is given. Thank you, Jodee.