The Wealth in What We Overlook
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
I used to think I didn’t have much like abundance was something just out of reach, something I had to work harder or be luckier to get. But you know what hit me one day? The “nothing” I thought I had was everything. All those little things I overlooked stuff so ordinary it became invisible were proof that I’ve been surrounded by blessings all along.
Take the bathroom, for instance. How many of us stop to feel grateful for running water or the privacy to handle basic human needs in peace? It’s not glamorous, but it’s something. And what about something as awkward as passing gas? It’s funny to think about, sure, but it’s also a sign your body’s doing its job. It means you’ve eaten whether it was a steaming bowl of red beans and rice, a fancy vegan burger, a perfectly grilled steak, or even a pack of instant noodles, the pink pack of course yes we cook for 30 seconds or 2 minutes on the stove when life’s chaotic. That’s nourishment, however humble.
For so long, I fell into the trap of comparison, as if measuring my struggles or blessings against someone else’s could explain or justify my own. But the truth is, it doesn’t work like that. Comparing doesn’t change your reality; it only blinds you to it. My reality, as imperfect and messy as it is, has a quiet richness that I’ve been too busy chasing “more” to notice.
Here’s the thing about comparison: it tricks you into thinking small blessings don’t count. Like, if someone’s eating filet mignon, your bowl of ramen doesn’t matter. But hunger doesn’t care about appearances, does it? The ramen fills you up just the same. It reminds you there’s something on your plate, even if it’s not gourmet. And sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones that save you literal life preservers in a storm.
I’ve been guilty of taking so much for granted. The comforts that surround me daily, like clean sheets or the hum of electricity, have faded into the background because they’ve always been there. Even opportunities those chances to learn, to grow, to do better have gone unnoticed because I was busy wanting something flashier. It’s only now, looking back, that I see how much I’ve been given.
Gratitude changes everything. It’s like flipping a switch in your mind. Suddenly, you start noticing the things you’ve been too distracted to see. You taste the sweetness in something as simple as a cup of coffee. You feel the gift of waking up without pain or walking without struggle. You laugh at a memory and realize how precious those moments are.
I don’t believe these blessings are random. I believe they’re acts of love from the Creator, quiet whispers saying, I’m here. You are cared for. You are enough. They don’t have to be big or loud to matter. Sometimes, they show up in the smallest of ways—a breeze on a hot day, a stranger holding the door open, or even just the fact that you’ve got a roof over your head.
These days, I’m trying to live with my eyes wide open. To pause and really see what’s around me. I won’t lie it’s hard sometimes. Life gets messy. Bills pile up. Plans fall apart. And when you’re in the thick of it, gratitude doesn’t always come naturally. But I’ve learned that when you stop chasing what’s missing and start appreciating what’s here, you’ll find you’re already standing in abundance.
So, what about you? Have you looked around lately? I’m not talking about the obvious stuff, like your job or your car or your big dreams for the future. I mean the little things, the ones you barely notice. The way your body keeps going even when you’re tired. The food in your pantry, however simple. The friends who text you just to check in.
Life isn’t about having it all. It’s about seeing what you already have and letting it fill you up. And when you do that when you really let it sink in you’ll find that the “nothing” you thought you had is actually everything.
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