The Glass A Smidgeon Full (December 14, 2011)

I'm an optimist.  I truly believe that you can't be a social justice advocate unless you are one.  Otherwise, all the injustices in the world will seem a massive concrete barrier towards which you are barreling at break neck speed with no brakes.  To advocate for positive change is to have hope that change CAN be achieved.

However, being an optimist does not mean that one cannot also have a good grasp on reality.  Without a doubt, some optimists live in their own world wearing rose-coloured glasses.  While it's more enjoyable to be around a rose-coloured optimist than an everything-is-black pessimist, the end result is the same . . . nothing changes.  But, there are many of us social justice advocate types who are both optimistic and see the world for what is really there.  It is for this reason that I cannot describe poverty in the stereotypical optimist paradigm of the glass half full (as opposed to the pessimist glass half empty). When looking at poverty . . . the glass is a smidgeon full.  For me during this phase of That Poverty Project the bottom of the glass has a mouthful of water at the bottom, but for others it is barely a drop.  However, whether a swallow or a drop, there IS water in the glass.

In looking at my experience thus far regarding the struggles of the working poor, I could easily take a pessimistic approach and focus on everything that is missing. Not able to go and do whatever I want, whenever I want.  Not being able to afford going to a movie, or even rent one for that matter.  Not having the means to eat the variety of things that I desire.  Not having the income level to be able to buy Christmas gifts.  I could go on and on.  And, to be honest, some days it's hard not to fall victim to pessimistic thinking.  Sadly, far too many others could describe way, way, way more difficult circumstances than that which I am experiencing. 

I much rather focus on the positives, albeit for those in poverty they are sometimes challenging to see.  Doing so is imperative for my mental health, and for many it is all that gets them through the day.  I have my health.  I have sufficient food. I have a wonderful family and great friends.  I have a jacket, a hat, boots, and gloves.  I have my faith.  Of course, when your basic rights are met as mine are, poverty can be relative.  Compared to most of those around me, I am living in squalor.  However, compared to those whose basic rights to food, clean water, shelter, health care, basic education, or sanitation are not met, I am one of the rich ones.

For those living in extreme poverty, it is understandably difficult to see those few drops of water in the glass.  Perhaps they are grateful if they have had food that day.  Or hopefully they can see that they are blessed by having someone who loves them.  Or maybe the only good thing going for them is their faith or the fact that they are still breathing.  Where there is life, there can be hope.  That said, it's tough to maintain hope unless there are some signs that things could get better.  That's where each of us can play a role.

Those in poverty are just like everyone else.  They breathe, they love, they want the best for their children, they bleed.  There are many reasons why all of us should care if any of us are in poverty.  It's the right thing to do.  Compassion for others.  With globalization of markets, helping others is good for business.  Security . . . poverty and injustice undermine peace.  And, if all of us showed we care, especially by raising our voices in solidarity with those who are in need, then not only would the most vulnerable be able to maintain hope and be better able to see the drops of water, it will likely end up being that everyone will have sufficient water in their glass.

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Phase II - Struggles of the Working Poor Daily Report
Day 44 (December 14^th)

Weight at Beginning of Project:  233 lbs
Weight at End of Phase One:  216 lbs
Weight at Start of Phase Two: 221 lbs
Weight at Start of Today:  216 lbs

Available Funds:   $28.93 (leftover) + $8.00 (Dec 14) = $36.93
Funds Spent Today:  $0.00 (gas)
Remaining Funds:   $36.93

New Loan:  $0.00
Loan Payment Due Today: $0.00
Loan Payment:   $0.00
Outstanding Loan: $101.25 (originally $135.00) @ 2% per month (non-compounding) . . . payments due as follows:  $34.38 due Dec 8^th (PAID); $34.22 due Dec 15^th; $34.07 due Dec 22^nd; $33.91 due Dec 29^th.

Items Purchased:   Nil

Free Stuff:  Nil

Gas Purchased* & Remaining:  $0.00 (i.e. 0.0 litres @ $1.089 per litre . . . 0.0 km @ 10 km/litre) + 4.41 litres (gas remaining) = 4.41 litres (44.1 km)
Driving Today:  0.0 km (i.e. 0.0 litres)
Gas Remaining:  4.41 litres (i.e. 44.1 km)

*Will not include any fuel or driving related to work that is paid for by work.

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