"First World Problems" by Angelina

"First World Problems" by Angelina - October 2013 Scholarship Essay

I’ve titled this essay rather facetiously...
We all know the feeling of waiting too long at a red light, our internet not being fast enough, someone not texting us back, or feeling overworked and underappreciated. We allow ourselves to let these minor “set-backs” directly affect us. We actually consider these “problems” at times. We invest all this energy in trying to make everything go our own specific way and keep up with the times, but when it doesn’t work out like we planned we act like it is the end of the world. We let ourselves become so sensitive with this sense of entitlement, but never stop to realize how dramatic we look. What if one day our health, clothes, fresh water, cars, and safety were in jeopardy? What if all of those needs that we take for granted on a daily basis were stripped away?
I was a victim of this ignorance; because I let petty things bother me instead of appreciating ALL of the other blessings I had in my life. What changed? What sparked this reality-check? I traveled to Brazil for an international business class with twenty other students. The encounter that changed my outlook on life was when we visited the village residents of The Favelas in Rio de Janeiro. I was able to experience first-hand the disparity and sadness of these people that occupied the slums. Poor, helpless families did not have the resources to survive outside of these poverty-stricken streets. I was exposed to barefoot children, foul odors, stray animals, filthy streets, clutter, windows without screens, and no air conditioning. Our group had to be monitored securely while walking to a safe area within the Favela. Not many people will ever experience this in their lifetime, but I have never felt more humbled. We had the opportunity to go into a small school where we met two young boys that were quietly coloring. They were precious. There were two very kind ladies that traveled overseas from England to volunteer their time teaching and helping some of the children in the Favela for a couple of months. We were stunned by how much of an impact they were making on the children and school. At that moment I felt overwhelmed with compassion and humility. I realized how selfish I had been with my time and my energy, so I decided to hit the restart button.
Going forward, I made a pledge to view situations and people differently. I have gained a level of patience and understanding that I never knew before. My heart grew to appreciate the simple things and celebrate the small victories. I’ve found that I am overall happier, stronger, and more successful with my time. This was an experience of a lifetime and a lesson well-learned. Problems that can easily be fixed are not really problems at all.