in response to a dear friend

(*the comment i'm responding to can be found under the entry 15,000=20,000...)


well little miss celia rose...you know i always appreciate your input. you have a way with making me think beyond the point where i think i can't think anymore ;) so i begin my schpeal...i agree with you (bet you weren't expecting that one...or were you) and have thought about the position you've brought forth to me. its needless to say, not by human nature, but by structure of society, that we like to spend and consume. people like to buy numerous amounts of "stuff" that eventually ends up at their local donation center some odd months/years later (i myself am guilty of this). i do spend my money on rent and food. only once and a while do i treat myself to something new. you asked me about my last pair of shoes...it was about a couple months ago...from target...about 10 bucks to be exact.
i'm not saying that my spending habits should be considered any different than those of the "stars" (although, mine are not attached to a six figure price tag) i am human. i make mistakes, and i'm fully capable of feeling such emotions as guilt. but that doesn't mean i shoudl feel guilty when i buy a meal out on the run when i know i have food at home but don't have the time to go there. just as should i feel guilty because i have the privelage and luxury to use a computer and post all my thoughts? there are many things to feel guilty about in this world, but do we really feel guilty about every single little thing? i think if we did and acted upon it, it would result in everyone living in the times and houses of the little house on the prarie, with no AC or indoor plumbing.
we are blessed with so many simple things in life that we take them for granted. i'm sure a lot of the people in 3rd world countries are more blessed than we are because they learn such appreciations for a cooler day, or day where it does or does not rain, or nature, or anything else in general for that matter.
i guess you could say that the tone of my entry was overwhelmed by the tone of my then current aggravation and shock of the numbers. sure we spend on things that seem unncessary to others (although i wouldn't be caught dead purchasing a $200 ice cream scoop :/ ) but what we spend to buy for ourselves is money in someone else's pocket that may feed their mouths.
you're right, if everyone did give up their riches, who would tend to the middle class of America? i once read from a very wise, intelligent man that "i wish money was not the main religion." the truth about it strikes a nerve, doesn't it? with this i wish what i do do through prayer and volunteer work had a much greater effect as money did if i would give up my ways of living in "luxury" and become poor myself. i guess if the middle class did give up all to the poor, the poor would become rich and the rich become poor and nothing would have changed in the patterns of today's society. i suppose thats just the way the cookie crumbles.


much love to you! i miss you dearly!

-kris







p.s. i'm back in orlando now....i don't remember when you said you would be going back to Transy, but i don't think i'll be back in the good ol' town brandon before then. :( sad day, i know. i guess the internet will have to suffice. maybe we can rendezvous over some grilled cheese and acronyms...LOL... :)