Reality of the Real World

The roller coaster of success is the most exhilarating ride everyone should take at least once in their life. You get invitations to all the great parties and social events, all across the social network. You walk into a room and everyone knows your name, and your well placed reputation. You’re called upon to make a donation to a local charity, but you never take the time to find out what the problem is or offer to help come up with a plan to fix it. You ignore the problem because you’re so afraid the horrible problem might rub off on you one day. Remember, you’re one of the fortunate ones; you have plenty of money, a roof over your head, food in your belly and those invitations are still coming in the mail every day. It’s wonderful to live the life of the rich and famous, because you’re sipping champagne in the back of a limousine, wining and dining with socialites, politicians and the who’s who, and then...

Then one day, slowly the bottom begins to drop from beneath those dancing feet. You’re frantic to fail, so you call a few of your friends for assistance and guess what; they don’t return your call. Word spreads fast; you’re broke and have nothing to give anymore. Without money and position, you’re no longer welcomed into that sacred circle you once enjoyed. After all, it’s a double edged sword of the haves and have-nots’ of the world.

For generations those who have paper wealth or real wealth have looked down on those who have nothing; until they themselves have lost it all due to the economy. This is when they realize what they could have done with all that power and wealth – help those less fortunate within their community.

Throughout the country there are thousands finding themselves in this strange situation. A situation they never imagined themselves to be in; jobless, homeless, just trying to survive, one day at a time.

Although they've tried everything they could to gain momentum to live a comfortable life, something happened and their lives were never the same again. The causes are simple ones, stock market downturn, economic downturn, loss job, medical emergency that resulted in excess medical bills not covered by insurance, loss of business, returned from a combat zone, etc. There are so many causes and I could go on and on, but you get my point. Unforeseen reasons we never think will happen to us, but they do.

During a time of financial uncertainty, a human being will do what ever it takes to survive. They’ll look for a job, only to be turned down for one of three reasons, lack of experience, education or their age. In some cases, they’re turned down for having too much experience, or jealousy from the very person to whom is interviewing them for an average job.

This same person will sell everything they own in order to meet their financial responsibilities and pray things will turn around before the next round of bills are delivered by the post man.

When times are tough and a person is on the brink of homelessness, many emotions arise during this time of uncertainty; anger, frustration, scared, nervousness. To the naked eye, they’re seen as on the edge. On the edge isn’t the half of it, the fear of not being able to keep a roof over their heads, food in the bellies, and the loss of credit rating and a sense of hopelessness takes over.

After exhausting all their funding, selling everything they have worth selling and in an economy where jobs are scarce, society is forcing them to turn to the system. With reluctant fingers they dial churches and service organizations in hopes of spiritual guidance, humanitarian charity and a little compassion; only to find they’re being profiled by the person on the phone, as a lowlife refusing to get a job and be a productive citizen. This further destroys their sense of self worth.

With each call or visit, a person down on their luck must repeat themselves over and over again, until they’re frustrated, crying and begging for assistance. After each interaction, they feel as though they’re not worthy of assistance. Without knowing the whole story which brought them to contacting a program office, the person in need is judged by the person who is working for the program, as to their worthiness of receiving assistance. They’re turned down over and over again until something within them breaks and their soul is completely shattered.

Instead of being compassionate for another person’s plight, maybe helping them find a solution to create a viable option that will help them regain a sense of self-worth, those who work in these social and charitable programs demean a person over and over again, until they have no self esteem left.

After a while, the person in need begins to doubt themselves, their ability to find a job and their own survival. Staring out the window at an unforgiving future with their lives shattered; they contemplate leaving this world and all its evil behind.