From Poor Perspective

I read a really good post from the perspective of a man named Eric, who spent nearly ten years trying to work his way out of poverty.  It's his take on some of the main issues that contribute to being poor (in the U.S.) and how the situation might compare for people who are not poor.  There are moments when I can just imagine some people who "have" saying "this is stupid, why didn't you just...*insert easy fix here*" but I really appreciate that he put all if it out there and then some, taking time to respond to those and other questions and comments in the commentary section which is usually riddled with not nice people.  On this occasion, however, it seemed like a lot of people could relate not only to Eric's life but to his compassion.  People commented, openly admitting their non-impoverished lives, and yet still were able to recognize and support Eric's theories and shoot down some people who just don't seem to get it even when they outwardly state some of the major flaws in their "comparable" situations.

Poverty is a compound issue because any issue that may be small for the "average" person is that much more expensive in dollars, in time, and in energy, based on the fact that it is generally not the only issue they have.  I urge you to take a look at this, even if you already think you "get it" and even MORE so if you "get that people are lazy and are good at making excuses. (*note sarcasm)"  A lot of poor people are too busy to make excuses.  So do yourself a favor;  Read the article, gain some new perspective, recognize what it's like to see or face all of these obstacles at once.

I was able to look at this list and relate to so many points, and I'm a college-educated middle class adult.  I can only imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have people who supported me financially when I needed it in the past, or who didn't offer me shelter when I didn't have any money for rent, or who didn't encourage me and even take their own time to help me search for job opportunities when I was having a hard time encouraging myself and finding time to be able to work AND search for a better option.  I can't remember what it was like to take care of my apartment alone, to make every meal on my own, and I can't remember a time when I didn't feel that I had a safety net in case something were to go wrong.  I am so lucky...a lot of us are and I'm not sure that we all take the time or even think to realize it.

So this is a "thank you."  Thank you to everyone who has ever helped me.  Thank you to everyone who has ever taught me or showed me what it is to help others.  Thank you to my husband for not making me do it all alone anymore.  Thank you to Eric for writing about poverty from first-hand experience from "the other side" now that you've "made it out."  Thank you to the people in the comment section for understanding, for recognizing that a split second can change an entire reality for people or that poverty can be your challenge from birth with generations of it built up.

There's a way out.  There are people that can help.  

There are people that understand.  You can do it.

To see Eric's article click here.

Barbie: Back to the roots

Invented by a mother to inspire her children, Barbie had somehow lost her original purpose, a lot of inches in the midsection, and her ability to stand up straight as a real-life human given the proportions she developed through the years.  Now, Barbie is going back to the roots, starting with the way that we perceive women.  Barbie's new campaign asks us to "imagine the possibilities."  It hopes to inspire young girls and women to reach for their dreams, whatever they may be, and to dream big.  Bravo, Barbie!  You're becoming a woman of the 21st century! ...now if only you could get your proportions back to normal...

Albert Einstein: Crisis

“Let’s not pretend that things will change if we keep doing the same things.

A crisis can be a real blessing to any person, to any nation.
For all crises bring progress.

Creativity is born from anguish, just like the day is born form the dark night.

It’s in crisis that inventiveness is born, as well as discoveries made and big strategies.

He who overcomes crisis, overcomes himself, without getting overcome.

He who blames his failure to a crisis neglects his own talent and is more interested in
problems than in solutions.

Incompetence is the true crisis.

The greatest inconvenience of people and nations is the laziness with which they
attempt to find the solutions to their problems.

There’s no challenge without a crisis. Without challenges, life becomes a routine, a
slow agony.

There’s no merit without crisis. It’s in the crisis where we can show the very best in us.

Without a crisis, any wind becomes a tender touch.

To speak about a crisis is to promote it. Not to speak about it is to exalt conformism.

Let us work hard instead.

Let us stop, once and for all, the menacing crisis that represents the tragedy of not being willing to overcome it.”

-Albert Einstein, 1955

Little Polka Dot Bikinis...and the cultural norm

I couldn't have said it better! I just saw this incredible blog post by a girl named Jenny Trout basically taking on whatever came her way as a heavy woman who wanted to (and DID) wear a bikini to the beach (albeit freezing cold at a lake)! She's to the point, hilarious, and completely honest. I love it because it translates beyond the "fat vs. skinny" societal crazy and really attacks the cultural norms that we've come to accept and even uphold despite the fact that the "cultural norm" actually isn't quite normal at all! As she mentions, we have begun upholding this idea of "this is perfect, and everything else is not" when the reality is most of us don't fit those "standards" that we have been accepting and projecting.

 So, good on you, Jenny Trout! Thanks for reminding us that what's culturally normal is exactly what we are and that being ourselves, and being comfortable in our own skin (and whatever clothes we choose to wear) is of the utmost importance! 

Get inspired, people! Believe in you!