People in the US are very fortunate being able to live in the USA. People around the world want to live here - for good reason!
But do you understand how fortunate we actually are? IMHO - I think not!
My first exposure to the ' 'have vs. have nots' was back in the 60's when my dad and I were traveling to a special stream when I was living in Alabama. We were going through the country-side and noticed some of the 'cabins' had a wringer washer on the front porch and others did not. He explained to me it was a status to their neighbors that they could afford a wringer washer machine:
It made huge impression on me and opened my eyes... Many parts of the USA are in great poverty, yet we do not acknowledge that since we are the richest country in the world. The parts of our country that are less fortunate than us have provided some of the best home-grown (USA) music ever. And yet they still exist, just hidden from our society ---> unfortunately!
Fast forward a couple of decades. When my wife and I decided to adopt our children, China was one of the few choices due to our age. Fortunately were were accepted to be able to do so. We traveled to China and spent 4 weeks touring before meeting our new daughter. We wanted to understand the country and the culture. We landed in Beijing and had a tour guide and driver for several days. On our last day there, the guide wanted to take us to an Olympic venue from prior times. We asked her to take us to where the 'common people' were and asked to meet some. She was shocked! Yet she accommodated us. We traveled to the outskirts of Beijing, tree lined streets with very high walls. Inside were communities of everyday people.
She found a woman willing to meet us. Her family lived in a 10x30 room. A family room, bath, dining, kitchen and bedroom. Very modest to say the least! We spent several hours talking with her through our guide. She provided lunch for us too... Obviously she could not afford it. She lived on the equivalent of $1,200 a year from the state (China). We talked to our guide and offered to help. NO - she was too proud and felt that us trying to understand where our daughter came from was far more important. As we talked to her more, the most important thing for her child was going to college. It could be life changing!
Sound familiar? Certainly does to me...
Many of us have traveled to exotic places, me included. Yet how many of us have ventured a couple of blocks or miles off the beaten path? That is where the real world exists. I encourage you to do just that!
It can be life-changing, to say the least!
RCF
But do you understand how fortunate we actually are? IMHO - I think not!
My first exposure to the ' 'have vs. have nots' was back in the 60's when my dad and I were traveling to a special stream when I was living in Alabama. We were going through the country-side and noticed some of the 'cabins' had a wringer washer on the front porch and others did not. He explained to me it was a status to their neighbors that they could afford a wringer washer machine:
It made huge impression on me and opened my eyes... Many parts of the USA are in great poverty, yet we do not acknowledge that since we are the richest country in the world. The parts of our country that are less fortunate than us have provided some of the best home-grown (USA) music ever. And yet they still exist, just hidden from our society ---> unfortunately!
Fast forward a couple of decades. When my wife and I decided to adopt our children, China was one of the few choices due to our age. Fortunately were were accepted to be able to do so. We traveled to China and spent 4 weeks touring before meeting our new daughter. We wanted to understand the country and the culture. We landed in Beijing and had a tour guide and driver for several days. On our last day there, the guide wanted to take us to an Olympic venue from prior times. We asked her to take us to where the 'common people' were and asked to meet some. She was shocked! Yet she accommodated us. We traveled to the outskirts of Beijing, tree lined streets with very high walls. Inside were communities of everyday people.
She found a woman willing to meet us. Her family lived in a 10x30 room. A family room, bath, dining, kitchen and bedroom. Very modest to say the least! We spent several hours talking with her through our guide. She provided lunch for us too... Obviously she could not afford it. She lived on the equivalent of $1,200 a year from the state (China). We talked to our guide and offered to help. NO - she was too proud and felt that us trying to understand where our daughter came from was far more important. As we talked to her more, the most important thing for her child was going to college. It could be life changing!
Sound familiar? Certainly does to me...
Many of us have traveled to exotic places, me included. Yet how many of us have ventured a couple of blocks or miles off the beaten path? That is where the real world exists. I encourage you to do just that!
It can be life-changing, to say the least!
RCF
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