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Blog Action Day: Poverty and Abundance

sparkyfirepants | October 15th, 2008

Today is Blog Action Day. In keeping with the theme of illustration, I decided to take action on my blog with a simple sketch…

Poverty is a real crisis in all parts of the world, from Somalia to the U.S. and Britain. Something I’ve observed in my lifetime is how people label themselves as wealthy or poor. Those who have labeled themselves poor don’t usually see their situation differently even when circumstances change for the better.

One lesson I’ve learned is that it’s important to decide whether you are wealthy or poor regardless of how someone else sees your circumstance.

Those who have decided they are wealthy even with very little usually become more grateful when given more. The more abundance you think you have, the more likely you are to share it.

Does that mean you give everything away that you’ve worked so hard to earn? That’s a question a person can only answer for themselves. I’m a big believer in the “teach a man to fish” concept, so rather than give money, I choose to give my resources, knowledge, and experience. No matter how much money is in my bank account, I always have that to give.


Posted in: sparkyfirepants Comments
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  • Sparky Firepants
    @christian messer: Yep. Attitude of Gratitude will get you far and keep you going!


    @judy dunn: I agree, sometimes money *is* the ticket, especially where group action is needed. One of the best things I've seen in a long time is the microlending that's being done in Africa to build businesses and stimulate community economies. It's awesome.



    Technically, all approaches take *some* money because inherently you need money to survive and gain the ability to use your time to teach fishing.



    However, I would much rather give my time than throw a $25 check in an envelope to a charity.



    That's just me - I don't see donating money to charities as a bad idea at all, it's just not my personal preferred method. :)
  • Judy Dunn
    What an interesting discussion. I, too wrote about poverty for Blog Action Day, making my post the story of Abadou, the one-year-old boy I saw saved in the deserts of Mali when I worked for World Vision. I have truly seen heart-wrenching material poverty (wiull never use the "poor" word again in connection with myself), but also saw villages rich in community and spirit caring for each other, amidst the desperate needs.


    When I was a teacher (and a single parent), I scraped together the monthly tuition so my daughter could attend a private school, after she literally got lost in the cracks at her public middle school. Her classmates were sons and daughters of judges, doctors, corporation executives. Suddenly she considered herself from a "poor family." She didn't have a new car or designer jeans and had to make do with an "average" allowance. Funny how your perspective can change.



    I do believe in the "teach a man to fish" concept, David, within reason. Sometimes money is needed to jump start a project that will eventually help people move to self-sufficiency. And sometimes, after a natural disaster, people need food an medicine to live long enough to learn how to fish.



    I liked your drawings. To me, they showed that we in the "First World" have not been so deprived that we are grateful to have a sandwich to eat. And when we have lots, we just tend to want more.



    Thanks for the thoughtful post.
  • Christian Messer
    Oh so true my friend! I LOVE the illo btw - so simple, yet so strong in its message.


    I admire your philosophy, and share in that thinking with you. I don't know if that says something about me, but I have a thirst to see people succeed - probably because if the do, I do in some way.



    Giving of resources, talent and skill is just as valuable, if not more so than money. I have pro-bono'd for 4 non-profits this year alone. I love the work and does make me grateful for what I have.



    Attitude of Gratitude is my motto, though sometimes it is hard to not slip into the opposite. Didn't even know there was a Blog Action day!
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