Wi-Fi Trivial

My wife and I visited the Holy Land in December 2013. Among the first things we observed about the people in the group we were traveling with was whenever we arrived at the hotel, a number of them would immediately ask about the availability of Wi-Fi. Depending on the revelation, we would hear sighs of relief or disappointment. Thankfully, most of the hotels we stayed in had Wi-Fi. During the few days of snow storm, many of us depended on the Wi-Fi to help us pass the time. Not all the hotels we stayed in, however, had Wi-Fi in the rooms. When that happened, we would hear grumblings and on occasions observe some expressions of unhappiness. On a day when the Wi-Fi signal was weak, we would also hear conversations about the problem during dinnertime.

In an affluent society, we sometimes tend to take for granted what we have and complain about things that are trivial. We are unhappy when our laptop or computer hangs on us. We are unhappy when Wi-Fi is not available at a time we need it. We are unhappy when something we wish to purchase is sold out or taken off the shelf. We are unhappy to have to wait in line or for the traffic signal to turn green. We are unhappy our goals are taking longer to achieve than we expect. We are unhappy with many things and with people who keep us in check.

Some time ago, a charitable organization, Water is Life, featured in an ad campaign, Haitian children and adults reading the ‘complaints’ of first world problems.

“I hate when I tell them no pickles, and they still give me pickles,” said a boy standing among pigs and chickens.

“I hate it when my house is so big, I need two wireless routers,” said a man standing in front of a dilapidated house.

Nearing the end of the one-minute video entitled ‘First World Problems Anthem,’ a message in text was displayed: #FirstWorldProblems Are Not Problems.

Are we among those who grumble and complain about trivial problems, such as the inconveniences in life? Do we ever give some thought to the needs of the people around us or to those in the third world? Are we thankful and grateful for the things we have?