The Big Give


March 3rd, 2008

Pardon me tonight while I get up on my soap box. Last nite I watched the first episode of Oprah Winfrey’s new show The Big Give. While I thought the concept of helping others in need was wonderful it got me to thinking. Why do we have to wait for something or someone big to help our neighbors?

I watched all of these people come out to support individuals and families in need when they were propelled by having a TV show behind them. Why wasn’t anyone available to these people without the TV camera? It made me happy for the families that were helped but sad for everyone else in need.

Today there are so many folks that need just a small hand up (mind you, not a hand out) to make their lives better. Gas prices have soared but our the wage base has not kept pace. There are many who are just making it day to day. One small misstep, illness, or car repair can be the difference in starting a cycle that is impossible to recover from.

I am one of those folks who live paycheck to paycheck. I work a full time day job and have 3 businesses of my own. It is 9:35pm and I am working on writing my blog, adding new items to one of my websites, and listing items on Etsy. I was sick for 2 weeks in February, exhausted my personal time and didn’t have a paycheck for a week.

I am very fortunate…I have a roof over my head, food in the pantry and a car to drive. But I have creditors knocking at the door and my paycheck that won’t be here until Friday is already spent. Yes, I’m whining a bit, but I’m not looking for someone else to “give” me anything. I just want to make a living and not go to bed worrying about who gets paid and who doesn’t this week.

My point in all this is not for you to take pity on me, but for you to do something for someone in your life. Maybe it’s just a ride to the store or using your talents to help someone out. It doesn’t always take money to help someone.

Finally, there is a wonderful organization that does help folks out that are in financial need that may fall between the cracks because they make too much to qualify for traditional aid. www.ModestNeeds.org

Stepping off my soap box for tonight. I hope I haven’t depressed anyone. I would rather have inspired you to find a way to put your talents to use to help others. Please share your thoughts if you wish.

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