It started with the intention to make an appointment for a routine exam with one of my doctors. Since most of my phone numbers are stored in my cell phone I used it to make the call. I was feeling pretty good about having only a brief wait time to get to the person scheduling the appointments. But almost right away, she kept saying that she couldn't hear me and asking me to repeat what I had said. After a few minutes of trying to yell the Information and be heard the line went dead. Either the call dropped or she got tired of trying to figure out what I was saying. So I made the call from my landline. (Yes, I still have a landline and this is why I keep it.) This time I had a substantially longer wait time but the appointment was eventually made. I also used the landline to change an appointment with another doctor.
After that call I decided to reach out to Verizon to see what was wrong. After trying the online chat feature to no avail, I was able to call a service tech who checked out all systems on my phone. And after more than an hour, the issue was resolved, at least I hope so.
Next, I received an email offer to renew my Zoom account with a 20% discount. I clicked the link and every time I got to the checkout, the discount disappeared. So I jumped on the live chat and after almost another hour of trying to fix it, it was suggested that I if I have a PC, I should try to use it. I jumped on my laptop and the discount went through.
I'll admit that at first I was more than a little perturbed about my day. Then I began to realize that I was suffering from 'first world problems.' First world problems are usually minor or trivial problems or annoyances experienced by people in relatively affluent or privileged circumstances especially as contrasted with problems of greater social significance facing people in poor and underdeveloped parts of the world. (Merriam-Webster's definition) In other words, my problems and inconveniences only show how blessed and privileged I am.
I am not only blessed to live in a country where I can see a variety of specialists, but I am blessed to have health insurance and not have to worry about the cost. Around half the the world doesn't have available healthcare. And far too many cannot afford health care in the United States of America and around the world. I am blessed that I had another phone and a laptop and could quickly access them to complete my transactions and take care of business. And I did all of this while setting comfortably in my home, while being retired for fourteen years.
When I realized all of this I can't help but to praise God for the many blessings that I have! I praise God for His favor, grace, and mercy! I praise God that He allowed me to be alive at this point in time, in this country! And I don't take any of it for granted.
So in the middle of what was actually some minor inconveniences, I am grateful for each one. And I am reminded that there are millions of people all over the world, who would have loved to be in my shoes today.