Luck of the draw?
February 13, 2010Sometimes in life I need a gentle reminder to be greatful for what I have. This morning, I got one of those wake up calls.
I spent the evening (Friday night to early Saturday morning) with loved ones, friends and my partner, and then went to the grocery store that is open 24 hours to pick up some things for the time spent at home due to snow. It was there that I got slapped by reality. There was a shopper that was in front of me that was upset because the lady at the check out stand wouldn’t let him purchase his soda when he was short. He then put it back and got a bag of chips and handed her a pile of pennies. She asked him if he had any bills and he quietly sad no and then glanced back at my partner and I. I don’t know what he was thinking, but part of me was assuming that he was embarassed.
It made me realize that I take too much in my life for granted. I have family, friends, and many people in my life that care about me more than I know. I’m in no way saying that I’m “popular” but I do know that I’m loved by the people I have in my life. Because of the love and support of so many, I’m able to not only do things with and for others, but I’m also allowed to think about what makes me happy. I truly don’t worry about having a roof over my head and money for food. Yes, sometimes things are really tight and I force myself to keep a strict budget, but I’m given this opportunity because of the people that love me. I know that I have had some part of this, in terms of holding myself personally responsible for making steps to move forward in my life, but I know that it wouldn’t be truly possible without the support I have.
I know that it is a small thing to give a big meaning to, but when I saw him struggle for the change for something that wasn’t healthy or nutritionally valuable to him, it hit me hard. I had a small hand basket full of fruits and veggies and things that I WANTED. I truely didn’t NEED them. I wanted to give him my food and buy him more. This desire to want to help him and being completly unsure of how or even how to suggest such a thing just made me silent and dumbfounded. I didn’t know what to do, so I stood there and just let him do his thing. He didn’t ask me for money, but I wanted to give it to him and give him something to be thankful for.
So my question is: what makes my life so different from his? I’m sure he has dreams, but if he struggling for things that I don’t often think about is he ever given the opportunity to shine and better himself? How can he better his life if he can’t take care of his basic life needs?
These questions make me question everything I value as important. I’m able to strive for what I want, not because of me, but because I’m allowed a life style that grants me those feelings and opportunities. So did I just get the luck of the draw?
Thoughfully yours,
Kyle
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a person cannot reach self-actualization if their other needs are not met. These needs are physiological, safety, love/belonging, and esteem (as in self-esteem and respecting others). In other words, while you may find a starving artist, it is less likely to find someone who can focus on being an artist if they are consumed with trying to meet their basic needs. Poverty is not simply from a lack of money or a lack of work ethic. Poverty occurs when people become trapped within systems of power that work against them. Here’s my personal opinion, so do with it what you want. I know that not everyone will share this same opinion. I am a Christian. I believe that God loves everyone and that it breaks his heart to see suffering people. I don’t believe in “luck” per se, but I also don’t believe that the more fortunate people are the ones God likes better. I think that humans become greedy and power hungry. I think that humans take advantage of each other and exploit each other. This happens in America, but it happens even more frequently in third world countries. Our world produces enough food to feed everyone- people starve because of unequal distribution, war, etc. What can you do about this? God tells us to take care of the orphans, widows, poor, and aliens in our land. So we should do that. Not just through “charity”, but through working to overthrow these systems that keep people down. By working on this film project, Kyle, you are doing just that. You are helping fight against a communist system that persecutes the Montagnards in Vietnam. You are helping educate others about our Montagnard friends here in America, so they are not looked down upon as just “foreigners” within our country. When we can see people as God sees them- equal to us in every aspect- then we can change things. You are fortunate, yes- and maybe you can make a difference.
Annie -
I agree that someone can’t focus on their wants when needs aren’t being met. Some people are more capable to handle the “system” better than others by good decision making and making choices to be a “part of the system”. I still feel lucky enough that I’m able to worry about what I want to do vs worrying about basic needs.
Regarding the movie: Yes. By attaching my name and paying tribute to the people who were forgotten by writing music inspired by them is a way of giving back. I’m just a small piece of the puzzle in this case and I’m happy to work with such talented people on this project. I am learning more and more about the subject as I dive deeper into it. I’m happy to be a part of it and to be part of a project that hopefully gets people to be thankful for what they have. If my music makes the story better in anyway I’m happy.
