A period of time after I divorced my ex husband called me to let me know he lost his job. This meant no child support. I was worried but the good Lord and many Human Angels and family were available for support. One of my co-workers knew all the right resources to contact for assistance since her brother had gone through a tough time also. Through the years I have given back with this knowledge, also helping in food banks and making meals for the needy.
I grew up
with my basic needs filled,
but some time after I left my parents’ home
things were touch and go.
With two dogs,
a cat,
an abusive husband
and his wounded daughter,
I lived in a car.
I ate stolen food
and bathed in campground bathrooms
or nearby lakes.
Life was hard,
but it was my own doing in part . . .
I,
myself,
was wounded too,
and couldn’t see a way out.
But it was enough
to give me a hint at what it is like
to live another way . . .
those days
changed my perspective dramatically
and I have never looked at a homeless person
or thought about a wandering refugee the same way.
It is so easy
for hope to slip away
and to live under a pall of
unbidden looks
and judgement.
It is more difficult
to find unblemished beauty and grace
in that kind of existence,
although I tell you now,
there were moments
of profound feelings of freedom.
I also found treasure and gratitude
in the smallest things . . .
I think perhaps
that those Divine moments
are what saved me
and cleared away the fog of hopelessness
in the end.
Now that I have plenty
and more than enough of what I need
I can never go back to taking it for granted,
and in a way
it has created a new fear in me . . .
that of being in that position again someday.
I bring that fear,
whether voluntarily or not,
to my deepest compassion
for those who have no way out
and are stuck in that purgatory of being.
I give a little money
to people who are begging in stores
and on the street
whenever I can.
Others tell me this is foolish . . .
”they are either not poor at all,
or will only spend it on alcohol or drugs”,
they say.
I say that I am giving from my heart
and if my gift is abused or misused
it’s on them,
not me . . .
at least I tried.
Everyone deserves a hand up . . .
a second chance.
I did
and I got one. ♥
Thank you, dear Sparrow. I do the same for the unfortunate beings who fly signs. I too have been told the same. I appreciate your reasoning/self-discussion of the gift.
I am very grateful for always having enough, even in days when my life was a lot different and I was living paycheck to paycheck. I always had enough. I’ve always had food, water, shelter, electricity – from childhood to now. Despite the emotional stuff I have with my mom, I recognize that she did her best to always provide when she was a single mom for a few years when I was young, and when she married my (step) dad when I was a little girl, they both made sure us kids had everything we needed and then some. I appreciate my life these days and appreciate my loving husband who knows I don’t make a lot of money teaching yoga and running a studio part time. He truly wants me to be happy, something I did not experience in my 1st marriage, and I think happiness is a basic need. I don’t think I realized that until I actually felt happy.
I think this has all helped me be more compassionate towards others, knowing that people struggle, often without letting on to others that they are. I certainly hid my struggles for a long time. So I treat others with kindness. I donate food to foodbanks, used clothing to thrift stores, and I’ll “round up” at the grocery store to help veterans or whatever group they are giving to any particular month.
What I have noticed through living and interacting with people, is that when people have some security, a safety net, they are more likely to be able to follow their dreams and to take chances. Versus someone that is in survival mode, will be much more (or should be) cautious about life choices. As the consequences are more dire.
When I was younger, I thought I was being too serious and too careful, compared to some of my friends and people that I met. I would wonder how they could be so brave with their choices and take risks.
Only later did I learn that many of them had this thing that I didn’t have. The familial safety net. A cushion to fall back on.
I also think of the innovations that came out of the 1970s, when we had more of a social safety net.
People could rely on a basic level of survival while pursuing some new technology or art form.
Now, there are levels to this inquiry. I have never gone hungry, or lived with war or persecution. There has been enough opportunity to work and live.
While I have spent my life working and earning a living, I have been lucky indeed and for that I am beyond grateful. This has allowed me to experience nature, pursue music and hobbies, love who I wanted, speak my mind, and associate with whoever I wanted, and generally live a very interesting and textured life.
Charlie, what you say is true. Knowing that my needs are self-fulfillment, it’s easier for me to take chances and pursue my dreams. Even my parents, especially my dad, at one point, lived through the Vietnam war for basic needs. It helps me relate to those on the level of survival and security needs. Paying attention to and being observant for healthier communication styles comes more naturally. There’s no time for developing assertive communication when food, water, and shelter needs are at the forefront.
I think of this fairly often. I recognize directly how fortunate I’ve been all my life. I’ve been poor at times, but never without family who could help if I asked. Of course pride kept me from asking and I made my way through, thanks to the education and inner resources I have courtesy of a happy, healthy home and family in my childhood. I’m so, so fortunate and so many others are not.
Being aware makes me give and pay attention. I donate to our local food bank, to an organization in my state that helps refugee women and children, and to another that supports trans people of color, as some of what I do to pay it forward from my place of good fortune. When I bike through the area where people stand waiting for the mission to open, I smile, wave, and make eye contact rather than shun or ignore them as fellow human beings. We have a local vegan restaurant that sadly will close next month. One of their practices has been to invite people to pay it forward by donating; they put the funds on a gift card, then someone can come in and ask for a meal that I’ve paid for with my donation.
Today’s question makes me pause to ask “why me“?. Yes, why am I blessed with all this abundance, opportunities and hope? Why not so many others, who go without food, shelter and an absence of hope? What have I done to be more deserving than others? I have no answer. But, today’s Word of the Day seems so appropriate: “You only have what you give. It’s by spending yourself that you become rich.” So, all one can do is share of oneself, be it something material, volunteer time or just pause and spare a thought/prayer for those who do not have what I have.
Even though my parents didn’t always have enough, I always had enough of everything. I worry about and fret for those who do not, and pray every day for a different set of needs that I know people all over the world are suffering one kind of plight or another. And I am eternally grateful for my bounty. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
I’m conscious of my ‘first world problems,’ which leads to the simple prayer line of “Give us this Day our daily bread….” Providence has been showering me with friends who are willingly providing me with the extra support I need these days. It is humbling to my “self sufficient” mind set. I do need other people in my life. Blessings this day. May you find time for a nap, if you need one. Sending peaceful intentions out to the war torn countries and village; safety for soldiers; may the people escape.. ☮️
It reminds me of the universe has got my back and has all along . I love the universe I love it the most of everything. Thank you universe I’m so grateful.
If we are talking about food, clothing and shelter, they are things that I have never had to worry about. There have been times when I did worry about them, but I was always in touch with a solution: hitchhiking in 1971 from Iowa to Yellowstone in the rain and snow, my wallet had about $20 in it at the time. And I was with a good friend who was seemingly completely resourceful in such circumstances , neither of us wanting to break the law.
Then there was the time when, after I was separated from my wife, and I was paying a mortgage for our house where she and my two kids lived, rent for my apartment, college tuition for my older daughter, and high school tuition for the younger one in a parochial school, and my first attempt at alimony, while still paying the bills for both my estranged wife and myself.
Finally, when my ex- and my younger daughter sued me for increased alimony and more tuition for college beyond four years…
My wife and I occasionally share memories of such times, the last of which she participated in since we were dating. We nearly always refer to those stressful times as “first world problems”; this as opposed to third world problems of hunger, scavenging for food, homelessness, living rough and unhoused, thirst, drinking anything that was available, and so on.
It does help one have some perspective, leads to compassion, and ultimately leads to action, whether donation, or volunteering, etc.
Air, food, water, shelter – I am grateful for these basic needs I have never had to worry about but do feel bad for those with breathing difficulties, struggling for food/water (droughts), homeless. Not everyone has basic needs. Our entire world should focus on that.
Just a couple days ago, I got started on reading a 28-day plan from my Bible App called “Discipology, the Art and Science of Making Disciples.” I ran into a passage where Jesus wanted Peter to come with him. Peter got defensive saying that he was a cinner, the wrong guy, and told Jesus to go away. Jesus never gave into his resistence and told Peter to just come with him. This had a profound impact on Peter.
The reading hit closer to home. My root people and Paw Mu, back in the day, is like Jesus, and I’m Peter. Being able to relate my people and me to Jesus and Peter’s interaction gives me a new appreciation for them. Therefore, I become grateful for the people already in my life instead of forming buddy systems to fulfill my basic desire for independence.
When I was young, I was fortunate to have a father who cared for his six children. Four from his first wife, who died young at twenty seven, and two from his second wife. I do not recall worrying about basic needs. I left home one month after my 18th birthday. The first of the six to leave, second oldest of the bunch. I do not so much recall worrying about basic needs, but I have managed by ‘muddling’ through life. No game plan other than living in sparsely populated locales. The sift in perspective may be how the innate and inner intelligence of life operates. I have viewed life from a place of abundance not scarcity, although many times I felt I did not have enough, or I was not enough. Six weeks shy of 69, I now know I have always had enough. Enough lack, enough love, enough food, enough drink, enough shelter, enough weather, enough joy, enough sadness, enough dark and enough light.
Peace, Love & Light.
It seems
that the Universe has provided for you,
dear Joseph,
just as it has provided for me . . .
those years of flying by the seat of your pants,
so to speak,
although maybe empty of luxury,
sustained you
and gave you what you needed . . .
you are alive today
to tell the tale. ♥
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
A period of time after I divorced my ex husband called me to let me know he lost his job. This meant no child support. I was worried but the good Lord and many Human Angels and family were available for support. One of my co-workers knew all the right resources to contact for assistance since her brother had gone through a tough time also. Through the years I have given back with this knowledge, also helping in food banks and making meals for the needy.
Paying it forward. Thank you, Robin Ann.
I grew up
with my basic needs filled,
but some time after I left my parents’ home
things were touch and go.
With two dogs,
a cat,
an abusive husband
and his wounded daughter,
I lived in a car.
I ate stolen food
and bathed in campground bathrooms
or nearby lakes.
Life was hard,
but it was my own doing in part . . .
I,
myself,
was wounded too,
and couldn’t see a way out.
But it was enough
to give me a hint at what it is like
to live another way . . .
those days
changed my perspective dramatically
and I have never looked at a homeless person
or thought about a wandering refugee the same way.
It is so easy
for hope to slip away
and to live under a pall of
unbidden looks
and judgement.
It is more difficult
to find unblemished beauty and grace
in that kind of existence,
although I tell you now,
there were moments
of profound feelings of freedom.
I also found treasure and gratitude
in the smallest things . . .
I think perhaps
that those Divine moments
are what saved me
and cleared away the fog of hopelessness
in the end.
Now that I have plenty
and more than enough of what I need
I can never go back to taking it for granted,
and in a way
it has created a new fear in me . . .
that of being in that position again someday.
I bring that fear,
whether voluntarily or not,
to my deepest compassion
for those who have no way out
and are stuck in that purgatory of being.
I give a little money
to people who are begging in stores
and on the street
whenever I can.
Others tell me this is foolish . . .
”they are either not poor at all,
or will only spend it on alcohol or drugs”,
they say.
I say that I am giving from my heart
and if my gift is abused or misused
it’s on them,
not me . . .
at least I tried.
Everyone deserves a hand up . . .
a second chance.
I did
and I got one. ♥
Thank you, dear Sparrow. I do the same for the unfortunate beings who fly signs. I too have been told the same. I appreciate your reasoning/self-discussion of the gift.
I appreciate your response,
dear Joseph,
more than you know,
as well as your support. 🙏
I am very grateful for always having enough, even in days when my life was a lot different and I was living paycheck to paycheck. I always had enough. I’ve always had food, water, shelter, electricity – from childhood to now. Despite the emotional stuff I have with my mom, I recognize that she did her best to always provide when she was a single mom for a few years when I was young, and when she married my (step) dad when I was a little girl, they both made sure us kids had everything we needed and then some. I appreciate my life these days and appreciate my loving husband who knows I don’t make a lot of money teaching yoga and running a studio part time. He truly wants me to be happy, something I did not experience in my 1st marriage, and I think happiness is a basic need. I don’t think I realized that until I actually felt happy.
I think this has all helped me be more compassionate towards others, knowing that people struggle, often without letting on to others that they are. I certainly hid my struggles for a long time. So I treat others with kindness. I donate food to foodbanks, used clothing to thrift stores, and I’ll “round up” at the grocery store to help veterans or whatever group they are giving to any particular month.
What I have noticed through living and interacting with people, is that when people have some security, a safety net, they are more likely to be able to follow their dreams and to take chances. Versus someone that is in survival mode, will be much more (or should be) cautious about life choices. As the consequences are more dire.
When I was younger, I thought I was being too serious and too careful, compared to some of my friends and people that I met. I would wonder how they could be so brave with their choices and take risks.
Only later did I learn that many of them had this thing that I didn’t have. The familial safety net. A cushion to fall back on.
I also think of the innovations that came out of the 1970s, when we had more of a social safety net.
People could rely on a basic level of survival while pursuing some new technology or art form.
Now, there are levels to this inquiry. I have never gone hungry, or lived with war or persecution. There has been enough opportunity to work and live.
While I have spent my life working and earning a living, I have been lucky indeed and for that I am beyond grateful. This has allowed me to experience nature, pursue music and hobbies, love who I wanted, speak my mind, and associate with whoever I wanted, and generally live a very interesting and textured life.
☀️
Charlie, what you say is true. Knowing that my needs are self-fulfillment, it’s easier for me to take chances and pursue my dreams. Even my parents, especially my dad, at one point, lived through the Vietnam war for basic needs. It helps me relate to those on the level of survival and security needs. Paying attention to and being observant for healthier communication styles comes more naturally. There’s no time for developing assertive communication when food, water, and shelter needs are at the forefront.
I think of this fairly often. I recognize directly how fortunate I’ve been all my life. I’ve been poor at times, but never without family who could help if I asked. Of course pride kept me from asking and I made my way through, thanks to the education and inner resources I have courtesy of a happy, healthy home and family in my childhood. I’m so, so fortunate and so many others are not.
Being aware makes me give and pay attention. I donate to our local food bank, to an organization in my state that helps refugee women and children, and to another that supports trans people of color, as some of what I do to pay it forward from my place of good fortune. When I bike through the area where people stand waiting for the mission to open, I smile, wave, and make eye contact rather than shun or ignore them as fellow human beings. We have a local vegan restaurant that sadly will close next month. One of their practices has been to invite people to pay it forward by donating; they put the funds on a gift card, then someone can come in and ask for a meal that I’ve paid for with my donation.
Today’s question makes me pause to ask “why me“?. Yes, why am I blessed with all this abundance, opportunities and hope? Why not so many others, who go without food, shelter and an absence of hope? What have I done to be more deserving than others? I have no answer. But, today’s Word of the Day seems so appropriate: “You only have what you give. It’s by spending yourself that you become rich.” So, all one can do is share of oneself, be it something material, volunteer time or just pause and spare a thought/prayer for those who do not have what I have.
Why not you,
dear Jaykay?
Share the wealth. ♥
Even though my parents didn’t always have enough, I always had enough of everything. I worry about and fret for those who do not, and pray every day for a different set of needs that I know people all over the world are suffering one kind of plight or another. And I am eternally grateful for my bounty. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
The Johnny Appleseed song comes to mind .,.
And so I thank the Lord for giving me the sun, the moon, and the Appleseed, Oh the Lord is good to me Amen
🙂
I don’t want to take electricity, clean water, internet connectivity, shelter, ample food, or loving, trusted relationships for granted.
I’m conscious of my ‘first world problems,’ which leads to the simple prayer line of “Give us this Day our daily bread….” Providence has been showering me with friends who are willingly providing me with the extra support I need these days. It is humbling to my “self sufficient” mind set. I do need other people in my life. Blessings this day. May you find time for a nap, if you need one. Sending peaceful intentions out to the war torn countries and village; safety for soldiers; may the people escape.. ☮️
Thank you for your caring, dear Carla.
It reminds me of the universe has got my back and has all along . I love the universe I love it the most of everything. Thank you universe I’m so grateful.
If we are talking about food, clothing and shelter, they are things that I have never had to worry about. There have been times when I did worry about them, but I was always in touch with a solution: hitchhiking in 1971 from Iowa to Yellowstone in the rain and snow, my wallet had about $20 in it at the time. And I was with a good friend who was seemingly completely resourceful in such circumstances , neither of us wanting to break the law.
Then there was the time when, after I was separated from my wife, and I was paying a mortgage for our house where she and my two kids lived, rent for my apartment, college tuition for my older daughter, and high school tuition for the younger one in a parochial school, and my first attempt at alimony, while still paying the bills for both my estranged wife and myself.
Finally, when my ex- and my younger daughter sued me for increased alimony and more tuition for college beyond four years…
My wife and I occasionally share memories of such times, the last of which she participated in since we were dating. We nearly always refer to those stressful times as “first world problems”; this as opposed to third world problems of hunger, scavenging for food, homelessness, living rough and unhoused, thirst, drinking anything that was available, and so on.
It does help one have some perspective, leads to compassion, and ultimately leads to action, whether donation, or volunteering, etc.
Yes, today’s question, also gave me some much needed perspective. 🙏
Air, food, water, shelter – I am grateful for these basic needs I have never had to worry about but do feel bad for those with breathing difficulties, struggling for food/water (droughts), homeless. Not everyone has basic needs. Our entire world should focus on that.
Wishing everyone a peaceful Sunday.
https://nationaltoday.com/international-bath-day/
Michele, I couldn’t say it any better than you have said it. Thank you.
Just a couple days ago, I got started on reading a 28-day plan from my Bible App called “Discipology, the Art and Science of Making Disciples.” I ran into a passage where Jesus wanted Peter to come with him. Peter got defensive saying that he was a cinner, the wrong guy, and told Jesus to go away. Jesus never gave into his resistence and told Peter to just come with him. This had a profound impact on Peter.
The reading hit closer to home. My root people and Paw Mu, back in the day, is like Jesus, and I’m Peter. Being able to relate my people and me to Jesus and Peter’s interaction gives me a new appreciation for them. Therefore, I become grateful for the people already in my life instead of forming buddy systems to fulfill my basic desire for independence.
When I was young, I was fortunate to have a father who cared for his six children. Four from his first wife, who died young at twenty seven, and two from his second wife. I do not recall worrying about basic needs. I left home one month after my 18th birthday. The first of the six to leave, second oldest of the bunch. I do not so much recall worrying about basic needs, but I have managed by ‘muddling’ through life. No game plan other than living in sparsely populated locales. The sift in perspective may be how the innate and inner intelligence of life operates. I have viewed life from a place of abundance not scarcity, although many times I felt I did not have enough, or I was not enough. Six weeks shy of 69, I now know I have always had enough. Enough lack, enough love, enough food, enough drink, enough shelter, enough weather, enough joy, enough sadness, enough dark and enough light.
Peace, Love & Light.
Dear Joseph, Well said!
It seems
that the Universe has provided for you,
dear Joseph,
just as it has provided for me . . .
those years of flying by the seat of your pants,
so to speak,
although maybe empty of luxury,
sustained you
and gave you what you needed . . .
you are alive today
to tell the tale. ♥