From the Observation Deck

I read a post today and had to respond to what I think is becoming too familiar these days, the stupid comment on first world problems. We all have real and painful issues, but sometimes, some people take it way too far. Let me give you an example. “There’s few feelings worse in this world than going on Netflix, planning to watch a movie or show, and then realizing it was pulled from the instant streaming list the day before,” writes Bryce Olin, editor of Netflix Life.

Really Bryce? Are there really only a few worse feelings in the world you could have than not being able to watch Boyz n the Hood, Duck Soup, or The Bad News Bears Go to Japan! on your Netflix queue?

Do you really have that kind of sheltered life that you can’t imagine what it would feel like to wake up starving, or to watch a loved one waste away from a disease, or limp to the couch to watch Netflix because you’re in pain from arthritis or have lost a limb in an accident? I could come up with thousands of worse feelings. 

I’m not trying to pick on Bryce or be a Debbie Downer, but I do find statements such as this utterly ridiculous and if you’re going to post something online in such a public way, you deserve to be ridiculed. Again, not trying to bring someone down but rather point out how rich and wonderful our lives are so that when something TRULY is bad—or we see someone in situation that is actual worth being concerned over—we can recognize it and take action to help. Instead of doing what Bryce suggests in his editorial (http://netflixlife.com/2014/12/26/reminder-movies-leaving-netflix-dec-31)—that is, spending as much time in the next day watching old movies—how about spending that time helping someone in need? Here is a link to the National Community Church page where you can see places to meet with others every second Saturday of the month to serve people in our community (http://theaterchurch.com/events/second-saturday-serve15). And then when you’re done and want to spend some down time with your family or just quietly alone on your couch, check out a movie or two and relax. There is nothing wrong with that—but MY suggestion is to keep your priorities in order and your problems in context.

Tim Hawkins has a great new video that will make you laugh about what’s truly “the worst.”