"That's a first world problem..."

On my girlfriend trip to the mountains last week, I was lamenting not being able to find a fountain diet coke readily available.  Angelle sweetly (really!) pointed out to me that this is what is now considered a first-world problem.  Jil and I both asked, "A what?" until we realized the implications.  Someone in much less comfortable circumstances would never complain about such a thing.  

I was humbled......and then reminded of Dave's admonition to me several years ago.  We had been skiing in Lake Tahoe when I twisted my knee, which resulted in a fall that very nearly resulted in me pushing Dave onto a Double Diamond Black run when I slid into him (a great baseball move---not so much for a ski move).  After riding down the mountain wrapped up like a bright yellow burrito on a toboggan, I was taken to the first aid department, where a "doctor" who looked like he could be my son proclaimed, "Well, it's not broken."  I expressed my optimism, emitting a feeble "yea!!" Young Doogie Howser looked at me with a pitiful look that said, "I'm so sorry you didn't get the same medical school training I got" and actually said, "You wish it was broken.  I have a strong feeling it is a torn ACL and that is NOT good."  So much for optimism.  After ACL repair surgery (that resulted in an "oops" when my surgeon fractured my kneecap, a kneecap that then had to be wired together for 6 weeks), I had months of physical therapy in front of me.  When I complained (maybe just a little bit) about not being able to work out during those months, Dave looked at me one day and said, "Hey, at least you still have your legs."  Really?  Yes, really.  First world problem, right?  

What are your favorite examples of first-world problems?  Please share because they really do sound humorous when we talk about them --- getting it out there that we are human.

*Maybe you complained that you had to park your new car so far across the parking lot from the store (at least you have a car, right?)

*Maybe you whined because your gourmet dinner out was a bit salty. (not everyone gets to eat out, right?)

*Maybe you lamented because you have to get up so early to drive to work (not everyone has a job, right?)

*Maybe I have done all of these at one time or another.

Maybe, just for today, we need to be reminded (if you need to borrow Dave to do the reminding, he is really good at it---trust me) of how grateful we should truly be if we have our good health and a bit of happiness.

Happy Communicating, and now I have to go re-pack my carry-on bag, because even though I got upgraded to First Class for my flight back home tomorrow morning, I got a seat that has no under-seat storage.  What a bummer.    :)