Poverty

Poverty is all around us. Its just a matter of how we respond to it. I work downtown and see poverty on the streets everyday. You can make your heart turn against it, or you can do something about it. I like to think that I am human and could be like any one of these people at anytime. I could be out of a home. Out of a job. Fighting for my life on the streets. I pray to God that it never happens.

You want to think the worst about these people. I know that I do. I made my heart hard against them and their plight. But when you have someone come up to you and ask you for a dollar so they can get a meal, how can you say no. How do you know if that is what they really want the money for, or something else. You don't. You just have to hope that when you hand someone money that they will use it for something good. You have to hope that while you are doing something for the good of it, there will be a good outcome.

How do we help those in need? How do we judge between right and wrong? You don't. You just have to know that when you do something with good intentions, it is for the right reason. I am lucky. I have a good job. I have a good life. I pity those that don't. I wish that they would see that there could be something out there for them. I wish that they would try to better their lives.

I feel in my heart how awful it can be to not know where your next meal will come from, or where you will sleep. What brings on these circumstances? What does it take to turn someone around? I wish I knew. I wish I could change the world and the way people look at each other. But I can't. I know that. People form opinions and some are biased, some are not. It all boils down to compassion for individuals that are in very bad situations. Some are in their control and some are not.

It would be easy to turn away and close your eyes. Ignore the things that are right before your eyes. But who does that benefit?

Lets open our hearts. Lets feel compassion for those in need. Lets help where we can help.
Not only will it help someone in need, it will also make us feel better. It will make us feel like we lend-ed a helping hand. What is important here?

Learn more about this author, Pamela Folks.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about What is poverty??
We want to hear your view. Write now!