Eradicating The Heart of Poverty

Poverty can sometimes only be a state of mind, based on our perception and what we value in life. It is also a disheartening reality for many. The Webster dictionary describes poverty as having a chronic need for money and material goods. How many of us in America one of the richest countries in the world, have this chronic need to have and desire more and more?

Earlier this year I visited my native country of Belize. A relative of mine invited me to her country home. I noticed that my cousin took a lot of food supplies with her. I did not question her actions but noted that she said we were going for one night. After we got to our destination, I went exploring by myself. When I returned she invited me to accompany her as she visited with some of the local villagers. She drove about a mile along a lagoon that was partially dried up. As we neared the end of the sand path she pulled up in front of a shack. She greeted a rather plump girl who appeared very young. As they exchanged greetings, the woman's face lit up. My cousin handed her a large portion of the food supply she had brought with her. The woman thanked her and went on to say she had some wonderful news. Without hesitating she began to narrate the events of her day. She attended church that morning. After the service commenced the pastor placed fifty dollars in her hands! She said, she rejoiced as she walked back home.

"When I left for church this morning she continued, I did not have any money. There wasn't any food in my house to feed my children." She ended with; "Something tells me that this is only the beginning of many good things to come."

Later that day, after our initial encounter I talked with her a little more. I asked her about her family and children. She was indeed very young. I was almost twice her age. I did not see that we had much in common, with having a number of children as the exception. I shared that with her. I did not see the point in sharing much else. She was bubbly and cheerful the whole time we chatted. I responded to her in our native tongue. Doing so enabled me to identify a little more with her. She was blessing me in an unusually way. I began to examine myself. If I was ever poor I was not cognizance of it. This woman had a richness of spirit. Did this is mean that I now possessed a poorness of soul? Or had my priorities changed? How could that poverty-stricken woman be so satisfied with her nothingness? I have so much and I aspire to have much more.

Hunger is a daunting reality that ravishes the body and eventually deprives it of its very being. Slavery and abuse brings about poverty for many. They bind up any one who becomes a victim to any of them. Of any of these do we know which the more potent offenders are? In our quest to eradicate poverty should we try to eliminate every circumstance that brings it into being?

Charity begins at home. If we are unable to see the need of those around us, chances are that we will not be able to comprehend the needs of others we are not familiar with. Aren't our own children starving for our love and attention? Do we as parents even have enough time for ourselves? Is our busyness justified because it emanates from our trying to fill our children's and our own chronic need for money and material things? Are we in our country of abundance dying because we have this deep hunger within our souls? Are we enslaved by our possessions? Is this the reason we are less able to give? Are we trying to fill our own hunger with material wealth and entertainment? Is this the reason our deprived children are dying via their own hands? Can we truly as another sort of improvised nation make a significant contribution when we too are suffering as a result of our own wants?

I applaud Live 8 for the wonderful job they are doing in bringing about world wide awareness. After coming face to face with poverty, I had to examine my own thought process. I made no attempt to influence the young woman's beliefs or to discourage or encourage her with my ideals. I believe that the first step is to accept that wealth and poverty come in many forms. People can be rich with material things but poor in morals and relationships. In contrast others can be poor in material things but content with the things that bring meaning to their lives. It is essential however, that all human beings have the basic necessities, like clean water, food and shelter.

For the most part, funds contributed to aid in providing these basic needs are not enough to reach all areas of our world. Individually one may not be able to contribute a large portion of money but together our help makes a difference. Who needs twelve pairs of shoes when they can only wear one pair at a time? Think about contributing the four dollars you spend a day for coffee, to help provide clean water for an entire village.

Ruth Andrews Garnes was born in Belize the second of six children. She moved to New York City at age eighteen. After studying nursing she worked in the emergency room in Bellevue Hospital. She currently resides with her husband and seven children in the Houston Texas area. Having always had a heart for hurting children she adopted four sisters. Through her writings she hopes to be able to make a difference to hurting children everywhere by giving a voice to their struggles.

visit her web-site at http://home.earthlink.net/~rgarnes

---

The Fighting Father

This man is an Anglican priest but with a difference.... Read More

Bad Blood

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 26,... Read More

What If?

What If? What if I can't? What If I... Read More

Three Bricklayers

The story of the three bricklayers has been around for... Read More

It Wont Happen Again

Have you or do you know someone who has been... Read More

In Tall Grass

My best friend, Ryan, told me last night he got... Read More

Experiences in My Life Prompted Me to Never Give Up

Many people think that their life is a disaster that... Read More

My Journey

I believe it's important for you to develop a mission... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 3

Continued....When I turned 18 years old, I met a new... Read More

Change Begins With Choice

Any day we wish we can discipline ourselves to change... Read More

The Essence Of Freedom

Life is too hard and too risky in the eyes... Read More

How to Scare Fear Out of Your Life

A reader asks: "Many times in my life I have... Read More

The Memorable First Days!

The first few hours in this world, when we as... Read More

All You Want is Within Your Reach

If there is one thing that I believe with all... Read More

Eight Choices You Can Make Today that Will Change Your Life Forever

The direction of our lives is determined by the choices... Read More

Why Anyone Can Be Prosperous

In nature, when the season is right, all things flourish... Read More

Powerful Caretakers - Taking Good Care of Ourselves First

Our community consists of powerful caretakers. We do a great... Read More

Recognize the Perfect Realtor

As soon as you have launched a strong desire, the... Read More

The Karate Kid

I have an unexpected relationship problem. It's hard to believe... Read More

Work In Progress: 10 Benefits of Not Knowing It All

1. You can relax and enjoy your life more if... Read More

Taking Life Head On

"We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals... Read More

Myth And Reality

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 2,... Read More

Using Appreciation to Make a Difference

When in 1996 a local Secondary School opened, the staff... Read More

Trust Yourself ? The Hero?s Way!

Buying a VCR may not seem like a noteworthy purchase... Read More

Here is The Inspirational Wisdom From The Masters

Have you always wanted to do invent something, create something,... Read More

One of Life´s Great Lessons ? Learn to be Thankful for What You Already Have

(excerpted from the New Jim Rohn Weekend Event DVD/CD series)Is... Read More

A Life Time of Strategic Thinking

You may be one of the thousands who think "Strategic... Read More

My name is Smarty Jones -- Embracing Gods Glory

Our deepest fear us not that we are inadequate. Our... Read More

Psychic Sponge Syndrome: The Easy Inner-Centrifuge Remedy

Here's a nifty trick to use to clear yourself of... Read More

Anam Chara - Healing the Heart Matters

Are you prepared to make your heart matter? Are you... Read More

Directions For Life

Give people more than they expect and do it... Read More

Top 10 Things That Make Life Worthwhile

Below are some of the things that, over the years,... Read More

How To Weather Lifes Inevitable Storms

In the Northeast, we have a few months to prepare... Read More