Today is Blog Action Day. The subject this year is poverty. The goal is to raise awareness, initiate action, and shake the web. I personally think this is a wonderful idea and will certainly show how the web can be used for great good. The key is action. Just as I state on my blog. Knowledge without application is dead.
We all know we live in one of the most wealthy societies in the world. We live in large houses and have resturants waiting to serve us 24/7. We lavish our kids and our pets with some of the most ridiculous things. We go for pedicures, manicures, massages… We spend ludicrous amounts to watch our home team play in the playoffs. We max out our 401k’s, Keogh’s, and IRA’s in the hopes of retiring “early”. Most of us plan on retiring at some point regardless of our age.
My friends, most of the world has no chance of retiring. They are lucky to see their home teams play on tv, if they have one at all. They don’t have the pampering luxuries we have. They don’t lavish things on their kids and pets. If anything, their kids and pets are working just as hard as they are. They live in small homes or huts if they have any shelter at all. And they certainly have to cook their own meals everyday.
My goal is not to make you feel bad or sad. My goal is to have you take action. That is why I am making you more aware of your status as a priviledged individual. So you know that our current economic woes pale in comparision to what a good portion of the world has to deal with on a regular basis.
Most of the other blogs are asking you to donate to charitable causes. One great blog I read asks you to donate to local food banks. Sending money around the world is good and fine. I certainly think we need to keep doing it. And obviously I believe investing in your local community can be even better. What do I think is best? How about, instead of sending money, we send ourselves.
My call to action today is to take some time out on some upcoming weekend and spend about 4 hours volunteering your time at a local food bank or homeless shelter. I have done this on numerous occassions. The best thing about it is that you are helping them and yourself at the same time. You will certainly gain a new perspective and hopefully gain some respect for the lives many of them are forced to lead. The funny thing is you will probably walk away a little happier about your own life and more willing to invest in the lives of those less fortunate around you.
As always, I welcome your comments. Please leave links to any website you think really address the issue of poverty. I would love to have a bunch of them in my comment section…
Tags: 2008, blog action day, poverty
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Great post! And I definitely agree with you “The best thing about it is that you are helping them and yourself at the same time.”
Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for the comment Farhana!
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“Knowledge without application is dead.” Now that I know you’ve said this, I might be bringing this up about 10000 times a week.
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I’m ready to volunteer when you are. But first we got to get you off of your computer on a saturday and get out there. I say we go donate blood this weekend.
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Do it! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! Stop talking the talk and start WALKING THE WALK (*1)!!! (Yea, I stole that from Matt)(referenced below)
*from Matthew Martz: Chats on Facebook Chat #2, October 17, 2008.
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LOL your such a nerd jason. real cool. Looks like your givin blood now too with us.
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