Does anyone else feel helpless?

[TBKahuna123]

OK, I'm normally the sane, well adjusted, even keeled person in the group (whichever group it may be), but here I'm am totally screwed up. I've fallen into this trap of watching too much TV coverage of the Katrina disaster. I get in to work, throw up the web feed for the local NO TV station and get some really good, on the scene coverage of what's going on, and leave it running all day while I work.

I realized today though, I had hit a low point. They started showing the Oprah special, her on the scene report. If any of you taped it and plan to watch it later, my advise it don't! Certainly don't let your kids watch it. I've seen some pretty unbiased, unsugar coated commentary by the local media, but nothing like this. Pictures from inside the Super Dome, stories from people who FLED the Super Dome because of the gang activity, the violence and the rapes. The people they found wandering and the stories they told. The worst though was the airport where they evac'd sick patients too.

Totally understaffed, wall to wall patients, some who hadn't seen a doctor in four days, despite infected wounds. The worst though were the ones that were too sick fo r them to help. These they took to the morgue, because they neede the space and it was the only place these people could die in peace, they said. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen then doing it on tape. Taking someone to die alone in a morgue. I snapped.

I've seen devestation before. I live in a state where every year some little town gets hit with a tornado. I saw an entire community get levelled, totally wiped clean, gone from the map, but nothing like this. I hit a depression today that I've NEVER felt. Total helplessness.

From here, there's not much I can do except send money. Hell, right now I can't even do that because I just spent my savings to pay off my medical bills. If I'd known this was gonna happen I'd ahve saved a thousand to send somewhere to help, but I just don't have the means. If I had the vacation time, I'd take two weeks off and volunteer to go down with the Red Cross and do real work, but that's not an option either.

We just had a birthday party for a coworker and as we all sat there eating ice cream cake, the ladies started complaining that they weren't sticking to their diets and started complaining about how much they had eaten today. One said she felt lie she'd been eating constantly for 24 hours, and I got physically ill. I know they weren't being insensitive, they just weren't thinking about it like I was.

I'll admit it, I'm an emotional, overly sensitive guy, (read big baby), but I also keep things in perspective pretty well. Today I lost mine. This has been building for a while and I know the problem is simply that there's nothing really tangible I can do. I'm not really asking for suggestions, or sympathy (save that for the ones who really need it). I guess I'm more surious, are other people feeling as helpless as I am, watching the suffering of not only our fellow human beings, but our fellow americans?

 

[LadyJeanne]

Lots and lots of people are feeling helpless. Last story I saw from a few days ago, the American Red Cross had received over $200M in donations - I'll bet many of those donations came from those of us who feel helpless.

I think our reactions are so strong partly because we truly expected that our emergency response would be far more efficient and effective than it turned out to be.

 

[lizaveta]

Something similar happened to me after 9-11 and the ensuing war in Afghanistan; all I ever did was sit in front of the television tuned to the news, or listen to the radio at work, or surf the web all day long looking for new information. I finally got to a point where I was just so upset about it all the time that I couldn't handle it anymore. I finally limited myself to 20 minutes of television (all kinds) per day, and turned off my web access at home for a while. I just had to get some distance.

I know you feel helpess, and I really wish I could hug you right now! But there are still some things you can do.

1. Write letters! Do you like how the emergency response was handled? Hate it? Wish you could vomit in a bag and send it to FEMA? Write to your congresspersons and tell them how you feel. (If you don't think your one little letter can make a difference, remember that I'VE sent a letter, my DH has sent a letter, my friends are sending letters, and they sure do start to add up!)

2. While you're at it, check into the disaster plan for your community. Is it up to snuff? Now might be a good time to write letters to your local and state officials with any concerns. If you had a million dollars to send to the victims of this disaster, you'd do it; but the cost of a postage stamp might help save lives in the future, and that's something we can ALL do.

3. So you don't have the time and money to devote to NOLA victims; do you have a few hours a week to devote to those suffering in your own community? Half a million Americans just joined the ranks of the homeless; why not reach out to a homeless shelter in your own town to help out some of the folks who need a hand up? Or maybe there's a Red Cross office in your area that could use some help answering phones, putting up flyers or organizing drives.

It's okay to leave the big donations of time and money to those who have the resources; not everyone can help in every way, all the time. But there are countless ways you can help out; just remember to think outside the standard "give money" routine and you'll come up with something.

Again, big hugs to you!! And let me know if there's anything I can do - I've been there, and it does get better.
L

ETA - I just went to the post office where I saw a sign for a community pancake breakfast with proceeds going to the Red Cross. The breakfast was being sponsored by a church I don't attend, but I just called and they were happy to have help serving - so that's where I'll be on Saturday!

 

[KawGuy]

During war.

I have often read where soldiers after the war talk about the friends they saw killed. At first they said they where happy that it was them and not "me".

Then later in life, they are ashamed of thinking that. Sometimes to the
determent of their own lives.

I'm sure no one here would trade positions with anyone there. There is nothing wrong with that feeling, it's survival.

As for being prepared for anything, there is just no way to do that, quickly.
It takes time.

Think about you and your car, on a road trip. Did you prepare your car? Then you had trouble with it, out in the middle of no where. You had to wait and wait for help. Most of the time a government employee (cop or highway maintance) helped you out.

 

[HotKittySpank]

Poor Baby, My heart goes out to you. I am dealing with this feeling too. I will tell you what I did. It really helped me feel better.

I freaked out on Wednesday morning(Aug 31st) and couldn't take watching it any longer. I called and emailed my congress women then emailed the vice-president and called the white-house and demanded that everyone get back from vacation and get off their gigantic asses and get to work! It made me feel better even though I'm sure it didn't do a thing.

Then, I donated money. I helped my kids feel better by shipping toys and clothes and art supplies to the Astro-Dome. I am also helping my children's school do a fundraiser and I'm considering a thanksgiving trip to Houston to volunteer.

Sitting there watching this does make you feel helpless. It is one of the most aweful things I have ever in my life seen. I cried during 9-11. I felt helpless then too. I was enormously pregnant with a husband lost in Boston so I couldn't focus on helping anyone else.

This situation has just pissed me off. When I'm pissed, I get into gear and do something. That tends to make me feel better.

Is your company doing a fundraiser? Is a local radio station or t.v. station doing a fundraiser? Find a walk-a-thon. Doing something will make you feel like you are helping.

Hang in There! BIG Hugs!!!!! HKS

 

[Ravin the Poet]

You know, I am getting sick of hearing about it already. Leave it to America to plaster this all over the place, of course the US media to use this as an attack on the federal government. I like everyone else was interested in the coverage after it happened. I read up on it, and looked what was being done. Now my question is, how stupid are the people in New Orleans? Honestly, they blame the federal government for not helping when infact they are doing all they can. They have sent massive amounts of troups, most of which who just came back from Iraq (oh, did we forget, you sent people there for a war) and they are putting natiuonal guard and other police on so much overtime, you have people quitting and killing themself. And look at how disgusting it is. People looting, shooting off guns, starting fires. Honestly kill the ungreatful bastards.

I'm sorry, but if I didn't have a car, and I had a good amount of time (I knew Katrina would hit N.O. 3 days before) I would find a way out, either with a friend, relative, or anyone possible. Espiecally when it's a level five, and the eye is coming right at you, and hello, you know your city is not hurricane ready. The city did the best they could moving people to the superdome, and when it's over, these people complain and bitch. Honestly, I would tell each person who bitch to go back to their home if they could find it, because really, if they didn't get moved to the Superdome, they were DEAD. Yet they complain because it's to hot (you live in the south US), not enough food (20,000+ people and only so many police type people, and also add, 1 main road into town) and saying the government is not helping.

I don't want to sterotype, but I watch the news and it's mostly black people yelling at the government. I have nothing against african americans, except ones who still think the system is against them ALL THE TIME. Believe me, Bush may be a jerkoff, but I sure as hell don't think he gives a damn what color you are when one of the US's major cities is gone from the Earth. Thousands have died, homes gone, cities destoryed and these people still complain. I would be thanking my lucky stars I survived. Forget my house, I can rebuild that. What the people down south need to learn is that they are people, and the men and women HELPING ARE PEOPLE. They need a break as well. You can't expect these people to work non-stop.

I will not give a dime to help Katrina relief, if you call it that. My money is not going to rebuild a home, thats for insurance companies. I refuse to help those who do not help themself. Every person capable of leaving, and didn't...fuck'em. Every person that complains they are not getting enough help...fuck'em. It's about time they help themself and LISTEN for once. The second I heard looting was going on, I basically said "Well, I couldn't care anymore. These people will take advantage of each other, yet whine for not getting anything...Yeah, I am going to help."

I'm a Canadian, and I live right now next to the boarder. And really, I am just one person getting sick of the "where USA and more important. Save us!" You know what, here is a great idea. Help yourself for once. Everytime something bad happens, we have fund raiser and other shit. There are more important things to raise money for in this world. And to help out pure stupidity and ignorance, is not high on my list.


Ravin

 

[TBKahuna123]

Well I don't want to get into a full blown discussion about all this, but there are two things that you are misconstruing. First off, while i don't believe race had anything to do with this, poverty did. Part of the problem is that most of these people didn't have cars or other means of transportation to get out of the city. We could go round and round as to why they weren't evac'd ahead of time, but that's a discussion for AFTER the relief effort. I also can't attribute it to stupidity. These people have ridden out storms before, and you never really believe something can be this devestating until you see it. Hell, I'm seeing it and I can't believe it!

Second the federal government is doing everything it can; now. Still, the response should have been faster, more organized, better directed, something. Of course you can't directly blame Bush for the problems, but to say the federal government, aka FEMA, didn't drop the ball is naive. Of course, the same can be said of the state and local governments too. There's plenty of blame to go around.

And to everyone who's posted here and PM'd me, thanks. I think I wrote this post more as a way to vent at the time. I'm feeling much better, actually. Amazing what a little talk with the one you love can do.

 

[EJFan]

I also can't attribute it to stupidity. These people have ridden out storms before, and you never really believe something can be this devestating until you see it. Hell, I'm seeing it and I can't believe it!

and let's not forget that these people have been told to evac countless times since betsy hit... and the storms wound up moving or being far less severe than suspected. to them, even if they HAD the means to leave, it was a lot like officials "crying wolf" after the past experiences.

yes... the biggest factor was money. those left behind mostly had no option to leave.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

Well I don't want to get into a full blown discussion about all this, but there are two things that you are misconstruing. First off, while i don't believe race had anything to do with this, poverty did. Part of the problem is that most of these people didn't have cars or other means of transportation to get out of the city. We could go round and round as to why they weren't evac'd ahead of time, but that's a discussion for AFTER the relief effort. I also can't attribute it to stupidity. These people have ridden out storms before, and you never really believe something can be this devestating until you see it. Hell, I'm seeing it and I can't believe it!

Your right, poverty does, and sad to say African Americans lead the way. But as said before, they could find a way out if they wanted. You know what, I believed what could happen and didn't take a high IQ to figure that New Orleans was a floating duck. With lakes on either side, any person could see any direct hit, and it was done. When someone tells me before the storm hits "This is going to be the worst in history, and heading right for New orleans" I would get the hell out.

Second the federal government is doing everything it can; now. Still, the response should have been faster, more organized, better directed, something. Of course you can't directly blame Bush for the problems, but to say the federal government, aka FEMA, didn't drop the ball is naive. Of course, the same can be said of the state and local governments too. There's plenty of blame to go around.

I wouldn't blame them. As you said yourself, how could they have prepaired if they didn't know what to expect? Seriously how could they. The fact is, this was so massive, they could NEVER be ready for this. FEMA is doing the best they can providing people are quiting and not showing for work, and local law is the same. You can only provide what you have.

Ravin

 

[Munachi]

watching the suffering of not only our fellow human beings, but our fellow americans?

I feel very very sorry for what happened there, and for the people who died, lost everything, lost their loved ones, etc. BUT I have to admit I do have problems with that last phrase.

So your feeling of sorryness and guilt is a lot bigger than for the over 100.000 that died in South East Asia last Christmas? And the Millions that die every year in wars and hunger etc. etc.? Will you feel more guilty when looking at those news than you will if I sent you a picture at the subnutritioned children of some of my friends here in Peru, who will never have a chance to develop their full mental capacity because all they ever get to eat is potatoes, and because their parents can't even afford to pay for the bus to school or need the money of their kids working as shoe shine boys or in the fields...

As I said, it is horrible what happened, but horrible things happen in the world every day, every moment - why is one worse than the other, just because the strangers that are affected in that case have the same nationality written in the passport?

And also, as for guilt, I do hope you realize that environmental catastrophes seem to become more common every year, also in a country that has about the highest per-head use of natural resources in the world...

Sorry, I don't want to blame anyone and I understand feeling pain and all that - but putting things into a worldwide perspective, and seeing causes beyond how evacuation should done best, and whether sending some money will help, is important too, for future events...

 

[~ Kit ~]

I can relate to overexposing myself to horrors. This time I have done really well (not that I'm uncaring), I know I can become so absorbed that I become depressed beyond action.

This time I made some good decisions to maintain emotional health. I have limited the time I watch the news. I will watch for about twenty minutes or so, then it's off. I will read some news but also take care not to overdo that.

The feeling of helplessness is huge. I found there are things I can do, I know I cannot make it go away, or fix it all but there are things I can do.

I sent a check to aid those in need. I don't have a lot to send but I sent something and it felt good. I also have talked with friends and we have all decided that it is time to clean the closets. There are summer clothes that we can donate to charities.

When I contacted a local church about taking our donations the woman was very grateful and asked if perhaps some of the items could go to a local family that is in dire need. She told me some of the issues facing this family and I felt so badly that I was unaware of someone right near me in this kind of need. So, my friends and I decided to help them as well. We are cleaning the closets for some clothing that will help them now and through the winter. We plan to take turns preparing some meals for them, the other day a friend delivered to the woman at the church a cassarole with some salad, bread and cookies. (The church keeps their name private unless the family gives permission - which is fine, it's almost better I think to not know their name. I know I'd become too emotionally involved and that'd zap my energy, which is needed to help.)

There are ways we can help, the kids at school have decided to have a spare change bottle. They can drop in a penny or nickle, whatever, and feel they are helping too. Help comes in all sizes.

 

[TBKahuna123]

I wouldn't blame them. As you said yourself, how could they have prepaired if they didn't know what to expect? Seriously how could they. The fact is, this was so massive, they could NEVER be ready for this. FEMA is doing the best they can providing people are quiting and not showing for work, and local law is the same. You can only provide what you have.

I think the FEMA response has been poor and disjointed, and there are a lot of reasons for that which I hope will be corrected after this is over. We need a complete investigation, not to fix blame, but so we know what happened. There are supposed to be disaster plans for huge terrorist attacks, etc. which are of this scale, so that they aren't prepared for this leaves me worried about our vulnerability to other disasters they claim to ahve plans for. Whatever happens, there's plenty of blame to go around at all levels, and NO ONE is immune from having screwed up this disaster at some level.

So your feeling of sorryness and guilt is a lot bigger than for the over 100.000 that died in South East Asia last Christmas? And the Millions that die every year in wars and hunger etc. etc.? Will you feel more guilty when looking at those news than you will if I sent you a picture at the subnutritioned children of some of my friends here in Peru, who will never have a chance to develop their full mental capacity because all they ever get to eat is potatoes, and because their parents can't even afford to pay for the bus to school or need the money of their kids working as shoe shine boys or in the fields...

The simple answer is yes. I'll admit it, I'm a human being who feels for the sufering of all humans, but as an american I believe I am sheltered and insulated from the suffering of those people in the Tsunami area, Peru, all across the world. I've never been there, I can't put it in perspective, but I can do that in New Orleans. It's close to home, I can remember what it was like before, so it's more real. I don't think that's shallow, I think it's just a fact of the way our lives are. Why did 9/11 hurt us so deepely? Because we'd never seen that kindof attack on our soil.

This disaster hits close to home because it affects OUR lives DIRECTLY. That does make me more sensitive to it. It does make me care more, and I'm a bit ashamed to admit that, but it's true. I care more, but I don't think the suffering is more important than those overseas. It's just more tangible, thus more real. Does that make sense?

When I contacted a local church about taking our donations the woman was very grateful and asked if perhaps some of the items could go to a local family that is in dire need.

That's great, and maybe these kind of things will start to increase our sensitivity to local needs as well. We do need to help those families in our own communities who are in need. Just as the poster quoted above said, the suffering of those is the south is no more horrid than that of many children over seas. The same could be said in regards to those in our own communities. Suffering is suffering, whether it's a dictatorship, flood, drought or malnourishment. Poverty is poverty is poverty, and we should help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Disclaimer: I'm nto about to try and guilt trip anyone here. The glass my house is made of is just as thin as anyones, and I'm NOT aobut to start throwing stones.

 

[Munachi]

The simple answer is yes. I'll admit it, I'm a human being who feels for the sufering of all humans, but as an american I believe I am sheltered and insulated from the suffering of those people in the Tsunami area, Peru, all across the world. I've never been there, I can't put it in perspective, but I can do that in New Orleans. It's close to home, I can remember what it was like before, so it's more real. I don't think that's shallow, I think it's just a fact of the way our lives are. Why did 9/11 hurt us so deepely? Because we'd never seen that kindof attack on our soil.

This disaster hits close to home because it affects OUR lives DIRECTLY. That does make me more sensitive to it. It does make me care more, and I'm a bit ashamed to admit that, but it's true. I care more, but I don't think the suffering is more important than those overseas. It's just more tangible, thus more real. Does that make sense?

Of course I understand that and can relate to it - something like the school shooting in Erfurt shocked me a lot more than all the americans before that because it felt like a "I never though this could happen here !" and it made all the explanations about how these things are caused by certain cultural aspects void...

I didn't mean to accuse you or anyone, in case it sounded like that, just want to remind of what you also said in a later part of your post - that even when the things there are over, there will still be poverty and suffering in the world, and help shouldn't stop. Unfortunately the human mind is very easily influenced by the media, by what seems close, or like a shock, etc. etc. - I remember that after the Asian Tsunami a lot of organizations helping poor countries said they now have the problem that since all people donate for Tsunami victims they get a lot less money to help people in other parts of the world, who of course still need help, in fact. My father thus on purpose donated money for some aid, i don't know anymore where, for people who had nothing to do with the tsunami but have been suffering due to other things...

As for helplessness, I often get that when I look at all the things that happen in this world, and at what some people have to live with. But (and I am not saying this is a good thing) one gets used to it, in a way. One can and should do something, but I guess one also has to accept that changing the whole world is about impossible... And I guess being happy that you are better off is actually not a bad thing, and nothing to feel guilty of, but can be good if it is done in the right, humble way of appreciating that great present of having a relatively easy life (and I daresay that almost all of us here, who have had the access to some education obviously, else we wouldn't be able to write, and who must have enough money and free time to have access to the internet, else we wouldn't be able to write here, that we are the lucky ones, on a world wide scale...)

erm anyway, i am rambling and probably becoming quite cheesy in the things I am saying now...

 

[TBKahuna123]

didn't mean to accuse you or anyone, in case it sounded like that...

NO I didn't take it that way at all, and I thought it was said in a very noncondemming way.. I answered truthfully and intellectually because what you said was an excellent point. We often wear blinders to suffering and pain when we see it on TV becasue we have never known that kind of hardship, so it's hard for us to relate. Until we see it in a way we can understand, such as in our commuity or our country, it doesn't feel real.

Rambling yes, cheesy no. Regardless of what anyone says, caring about people is never cheesy.

 

[bholderman]

Poor Baby, My heart goes out to you. I am dealing with this feeling too. I will tell you what I did. It really helped me feel better.

I freaked out on Wednesday morning(Aug 31st) and couldn't take watching it any longer. I called and emailed my congress women then emailed the vice-president and called the white-house and demanded that everyone get back from vacation and get off their gigantic asses and get to work! It made me feel better even though I'm sure it didn't do a thing.

Then, I donated money. I helped my kids feel better by shipping toys and clothes and art supplies to the Astro-Dome. I am also helping my children's school do a fundraiser and I'm considering a thanksgiving trip to Houston to volunteer.

Sitting there watching this does make you feel helpless. It is one of the most aweful things I have ever in my life seen. I cried during 9-11. I felt helpless then too. I was enormously pregnant with a husband lost in Boston so I couldn't focus on helping anyone else.

This situation has just pissed me off. When I'm pissed, I get into gear and do something. That tends to make me feel better.

Is your company doing a fundraiser? Is a local radio station or t.v. station doing a fundraiser? Find a walk-a-thon. Doing something will make you feel like you are helping.

Hang in There! BIG Hugs!!!!! HKS

Greetings,

Im not sure why I responded to this particular post, but it got me thinking that there is a very naive opinion of the President and his duties, and I for one fall prey to it now and then myself.

But, when the President is on vacation, its not like ours where we are able to turn our back on work. He still is updated on ongoing events and still tend to Presidential duties, however to a lesser degree.

The day the dikes broke in New Orleans he was here in San Diego. FLying back to Washington, being briefed along the way, arriving in DC, helicoptered back to the WHte House, briefed again, arranging contacts, making contacts, reassesssing the situation, reestablishing those contacts based on an ever changing disaster, and oh, by the way Mr. President, we have reports of armed gangs and sniper shooting at the emergency personnel, the Democrats are screaming that you screwed up, even Republicans are screaming you screwed up, areas of Mississippi have vanished from the Earth, the Federal Government does not have the right to move into a state and take over unless certain protocals have been established. Being human, I think he would need sleep, food and a shower at some point.

All in all, that may take a day or so. Sarcastic, and yes, I do realize that many things were underestimated, especially the degree of lawlessness. Nor am I trying to ridicule the post I even quoted. But being on vacation isnt the same as the President being on vacation:

Damocles

 

[oxphocker]

Greetings,

1# Im not sure why I responded to this particular post, but it got me thinking that there is a very naive opinion of the President and his duties, and I for one fall prey to it now and then myself.

2# But, when the President is on vacation, its not like ours where we are able to turn our back on work. He still is updated on ongoing events and still tend to Presidential duties, however to a lesser degree.

3# areas of Mississippi have vanished from the Earth, the Federal Government does not have the right to move into a state and take over unless certain protocals have been established.

4# All in all, that may take a day or so.

5# But being on vacation isnt the same as the President being on vacation:

Damocles

1: While your partially right that there is a lot of naivete going around, I actually think it is in the other direction...how many times are we going to put up with Bush messing up all the time?

2 + 5: The presidency is NOT a normal job and he isn't stuck to it for 20+ years. He has 4 years, maybe 8 years and that is it. Perhaps we could compare apples with apples. The point is, that with so many people supporting him, it took how many DAYS (not hours, DAYS) to get support down to NO?

3: The federal government has the right to federalize any national guard unit and considering that Bush was the one who instituted the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, you would think that the response time would have been immediate..."hey there is a hurricane heading for NO that is going to flatten it...do you think we should start ramping up units for what we KNOW is going to happen?"

4: Yes, a day or so....if someone properly trained to run FEMA were appointed, this would been the case. As soon as the hurricane passed, there should have been a massive convoy waiting to get into the city...instead Brown (who was appointed by BUSH) fumbled the ball and he isn't even being fired or sued for negligence! Bush would have been much better off if he had admitted to the mistake and said, hey I chose the wrong guy for the job, I made a mistake.

How many times are we going to put up with this incompetence in govenment...if this thing had happened when Clinton was in office, they would have tried impeaching him again. Yet, we don't hear anything like that from Congress....hmm...think that could be some of the frustration people are feeling right now?

 

[TBKahuna123]

Well, I'd like to thank everyone who posted some generally good insights into the situation before it once again disolved into a "How Bush fucked up" thread. Hey, I'm not a Bush fan, but I think there were lots of mistakes made by everyone involved. Putting the blame all on Bush just makes the argument political and makes it EASIER to spin. I say everyone should shut up about who's to blame, get these people taken care of, THEN sit down and figure out what went wrong. I personally don't give two shits if anyone is ever held personally accountable, just so long as the issues that happened get resoleved so this NEVER happens again.

Anyway, I'd respectfully as that if we want to talk about the political aspects of this, let's start another thread. Leave this one up for people to talk about how they feel as a result of this disaster. I think it's important that people have a place to discuss it without the political overtones that tend to get in the way.

 

[velcroktty]

Helpless is putting it mildly. The overwhelming losses those poor souls are having to cope with is beyond belief and my comprehension.
I have not had any close personal involvement relating to the events of the last several years, but the tragedies suffered by others has forever changed my outlook and perspective on life.
It use to seem so dificult to deal with the upsets and inconveniences encountered in our daily life. Long lines at the grocery check out, a run in a stocking, poor service at a restaurant, cat puke on the carpet, a dent on the car door, a missing button on a shirt, a chipped finger nail, poor reception on the tv, cell phone out of range, a burnt out light bulb, a pizza delivered late and with burnt crust...... how such minor mishaps use to cause such crisis and turmoil and rage.
I feel almost guilty to have the resources to be sanding in a grocery store check out line. I see dining in a restaurant almost as an epidemy of extravigant extreme. Cat puke on the carpet means my cat is alive and I have carpet in a home that isn't already ruined and destroyed.
I will never take things for granted again. Never fail to appreciate my good fortune. Never again judge value and worth by the price of possessions or extent of expensive.
I will never again feel inferior to those with more power or wealth. I will never feel a job position or quality of material items owned means I am superior to anyone.
9/11, the tusami, Katrina... all have humbled me and have made me keenly aware of exactly how vulnerable our basic comforts of life are. My values an priorities are changed, my tolerence and patience have been improved. My life use to wear me out, bore me to no end, frustrate and anger me..... It sounds just awful to say it this way but because of the suffering of others, I feel I no longer suffer at all.
We have both been unemployed for some time so are unable to give moey to help out but we have been cleaning out closets and dresser drawers and kitchen cupboards and gathering up things for Salvation Army collection day scheduled in our area next week.
It's been a mixed blessing, I've needed to get rid of our clutter for some time and now find myself able to part with things for so long I've held as cherished which somehow suddenly don't mean nearly as much to me anymore. I can not in good conscience be greedy and keep things simply as sentimental treasures. I can no longer justify needing 10 coffee mugs when there are only two of drinking coffee at one time. Why do I need two sets of dishes, I'll be so rude as to keep the "good" set but the everday set is not something I need to have anymore. Lamps, cake pans, end tables, blankets, curtains, it's rather coceited of me to honestly believe someone pays attention to my changing guest towels and shower curtains with the seasons and holidays.
Yes, I feel helpless I can't do more to help but that doesn't mean I am helpless to be of any help at all.