I think you would have to be pretty tone deaf to not feel how lucky you are to get to spend time in places like:
Maybe you have had the opportunity to go to one or more of those places or some other amazing place I didn't think to list.
If so, this message is for you.
These are some of the most magical things you can do in your life.
Getting to experience these things is a gift whether you worked hard for it or inherited it.
The median income for a household in Akron is $31,835.
As you can imagine, most people in Akron have probably never been to one of those places, much less all of them, as some of you can possibly claim.
That's OK in my book. Some things just can't be equal.
Do I wish everyone could experience these things? Sure.
But either by choice or circumstances, most Akronites will not see any of these things.
I was driving through Yellowstone this morning. I'm prodding my kid to look up from his iPad at the bison stopping traffic on both sides of the street.
Can Angry Birds 2 really be better than this massive beast casually strolling next to our truck?
This week these are my first world, white privilege problems.
I'm not embarrassed that these are my problems. But I am also aware that most people in Akron would gladly trade these problems with theirs any day of the week.
I am also aware that these experiences contribute to the continual divide that happens in society.
A child who gets to experience many different things in the world is going to have advantages over a child who doesn't get to experience as many things.
If I had to guess, not one of you reading this believes you are rich.
No matter the size of house, the kind of car or vacations you take, you probably feel you are just getting by.
And really, student debt, mortgages, car loans and credit cards keep many of us barely making ends meet.
I get that too.
Just the same, you have access to things like college, travel, family resources and just general acceptance by society that many people will never get.
My kid was randomly born into a world of travel, private school and loving, well-off parents.
That's how the world works.
I simply want you to occasionally remember how lucky you are. That's all.
And with that, if you sometimes have a little extra time or money may I suggest you consider giving some time or money to one of your local organizations in Akron.
Here are a few that come to mind. And if you'd like to add some more just put them in the comments below.
I truly believe we can make the biggest impact in the world by helping the people closest to us.
And here is a little secret: giving back is one of the most great feeling things you'll ever do in your life.
Giving of yourself becomes its own form of privilege.
Paid For By The People for Sage Lewis