CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) I was just watching CNN and they had a bit on whats going on in Somalia with the starving children. And this story of one family with 4 children, walked through the desert for 30 days and 30 nights, and once they cross the border they were robbed. Bandits took any belongings they had left. They made it to the worlds largest refugee camp and the youngest one, I think is 2, but looks much younger due to malnutrition is very sick. He also has pertussis, which is deadly to babies. He is so sick, that he is listless and hardly breathing. I really couldn't hold back the tears and really realized what this family and others like it went through. Just to get the bare necessities of food and water. Really puts things in perspective. Edited August 10, 2011 by CatNtheHat
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 And what perspective have you gained? Well here some of us are complaining about such unimportant things. And these people are dying just to get what we take advantage of.
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Well here some of us are complaining about such unimportant things. And these people are dying just to get what we take advantage of. Exactly what are we taking advantage of? Of course we complain about unimportant things. That is simply because out basic (and not so basic) needs are taken care of. How does this realization change your behavior?
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 Exactly what are we taking advantage of? Of course we complain about unimportant things. That is simply because out basic (and not so basic) needs are taken care of. How does this realization change your behavior? Should make some of us realize how lucky we are. If it doesn't do that for you, thats fine.
carhill Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 You're well on your way. Visit Africa sometime. It's an eye-opener. I was in Zimbabwe during the protests of the early 90's and in South Africa during the latter period of Apartheid and learned a lot about what I had always taken for granted. We all live our lives. That they are different defines each of us. IMO, strive to be the best you can be and you will have honored those whom you wept for. Good luck.
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 You're well on your way. Visit Africa sometime. It's an eye-opener. I was in Zimbabwe during the protests of the early 90's and in South Africa during the latter period of Apartheid and learned a lot about what I had always taken for granted. We all live our lives. That they are different defines each of us. IMO, strive to be the best you can be and you will have honored those whom you wept for. Good luck. Well an experience like that must have changed how you look at things.
todd Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 That she brought 4 children into this world that she couldn't possibly support with her current conditions and now the children are suffering because of it. The best bet was having them walk 30 days to a refuge camp to find someone that could possibly take care of them because she couldn't. I feel sorry for the children but I dispise the mom and the father that were willing to bring children into an environment like that under those conditions. Just because you can have kids doesn't mean you should. Especially when you have limited to no access to the bare essentials for life and need to find the support of others instead of relying on yourself. People like that make me sick.. I am guessing this is not the perspective you were trying to convey though..
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 That she brought 4 children into this world that she couldn't possibly support with her current conditions and now the children are suffering because of it. The best bet was having them walk 30 days to a refuge camp to find someone that could possibly take care of them because she couldn't. I feel sorry for the children but I dispise the mom and the father that were willing to bring children into an environment like that under those conditions. Just because you can have kids doesn't mean you should. Especially when you have limited to no access to the bare essentials for life and need to find the support of others instead of relying on yourself. People like that make me sick.. I am guessing this is not the perspective you were trying to convey though.. That thought actually crossed my mind too. But try to keep in mind these people don't have access to condoms and other ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies that we have. I mean they could just not have sex, but cmon. The situation is still dyer. I mean walking in the desert for 30 days! Amazing.
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Should make some of us realize how lucky we are. If it doesn't do that for you, thats fine. I never said it did not do that for me. However, I don't need to hear about African children to know that. I work with the homeless, mentally ill, terminally ill, drug addicted, and most marginalized people in society on a daily basis. I am reminded how lucky I am everyday and know the uncertainty and ugliness life can bring. My point was simply that most people prefer to bury their head in the sand. As you haven't mentioned any changes in your own behavior, I assume this is champagne socialism and you will most likely be back to complaining about your bf not spending time with you by next week. Maybe I am wrong about you, but time will tell either way.
PJKino Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Sometimes i get down and depessed that i cant attract women and im already 31 but seeing stuff like that or sick kids in general usually puts things i perspective for me at least for a little while Doesnt mean ill never complian again or get down but its good at times to put things in persepctive and realize your life isnt that bad and things could be much much worse
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 Sometimes i get down and depessed that i cant attract women and im already 31 but seeing stuff like that or sick kids in general usually puts things i perspective for me at least for a little while Doesnt mean ill never complian again or get down but its good at times to put things in persepctive and realize your life isnt that bad and things could be much much worse your right, things can always be worse.
Professor X Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 And what exactly were you thinking is happening around the world until now? Don't tell me you just now peeked outside of your bubble... ?
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 I never said it did not do that for me. However, I don't need to hear about African children to know that. I work with the homeless, mentally ill, terminally ill, drug addicted, and most marginalized people in society on a daily basis. I am reminded how lucky I am everyday and know the uncertainty and ugliness life can bring. My point was simply that most people prefer to bury their head in the sand. As you haven't mentioned any changes in your own behavior, I assume this is champagne socialism and you will most likely be back to complaining about your bf not spending time with you by next week. Maybe I am wrong about you, but time will tell either way. champagne socialism? lol ok.
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 champagne socialism? lol ok. Yup, you started a thread of the terrible plight of an African family and all you got from it was 'wow, some of us need to realize how lucky we are!" and that is where the thought process stopped. No plan to better society, help others or maybe do volunteer work, just realize how lucky you are. Which is really the same thing as saying sucks to be them.
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 Yup, you started a thread of the terrible plight of an African family and all you got from it was 'wow, some of us need to realize how lucky we are!" and that is where the thought process stopped. No plan to better society, help others or maybe do volunteer work, just realize how lucky you are. Which is really the same thing as saying sucks to be them. Like I said you don't know me or what I do or don't do. But your welcome to your opinion.
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Like I said you don't know me or what I do or don't do. But your welcome to your opinion. I didn't say I knew you. I asked how this 'reality check' would change your behaviors. You stated that we should all just remember how lucky we are and that was the way your perspective changed. So, I will ask point blank...do you volunteer or help better society?
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 I didn't say I knew you. I asked how this 'reality check' would change your behaviors. You stated that we should all just remember how lucky we are and that was the only way your perspective changed. So, I will ask point blank...do you volunteer or help better society? I'm a "big sister" 3 times a month. I spend time with girls under the age of 12 that don't have positive role models in their lives. Nothing earth moving, but we go bowling or to a movie, so that they stay out of trouble and just have someone to talk to.
Eddie Edirol Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Like I said you don't know me or what I do or don't do. But your welcome to your opinion. Does that mean you do volunteer work? Reading the Somalia story made me think of what Todd said. I hate the parents , especially the father for not pulling out, since they dont have access to condoms. I have no empathy for families that bring children into this world that they cant afford. I know that Im not lucky that I didnt knock any women up, I used my brain. I was born here, to hardworking parents...I guess Im lucky not to be born in somalia. Some places are 3rd world, we're in the first world. People adapt to every situation, so no matter how thankful you are for what you have now, you'll forget about that in a couple weeks.
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 I'm a "big sister" 3 times a month. I spend time with girls under the age of 12 that don't have positive role models in their lives. Nothing earth moving, but we go bowling or to a movie, so that they stay out of trouble and just have someone to talk to. Good for you, you are doing something to make the world a better place. Beyond that, there will always be pain and strife that people will encounter. We can't fix everything. I would hope you look at these girls and realize how lucky you are everyday.
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 Does that mean you do volunteer work? Reading the Somalia story made me think of what Todd said. I hate the parents , especially the father for not pulling out, since they dont have access to condoms. I have no empathy for families that bring children into this world that they cant afford. I know that Im not lucky that I didnt knock any women up, I used my brain. I was born here, to hardworking parents...I guess Im lucky not to be born in somalia. Some places are 3rd world, we're in the first world. People adapt to every situation, so no matter how thankful you are for what you have now, you'll forget about that in a couple weeks. :confused::confused:
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 Good for you, you are doing something to make the world a better place. Beyond that, there will always be pain and strife that people will encounter. We can't fix everything. I would hope you look at these girls and realize how lucky you are everyday. what do you do?
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 what do you do? Though I have mentioned it on here before, I prefer not to keep mentioning it here and remain relatively anonymous. I will say that I work full-time in a helping profession.
Author CatNtheHat Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 Though I have mentioned it on here before, I prefer not to keep mentioning it here and remain relatively anonymous. I will say that I work full-time in a helping profession. So you get "paid", that is a job. That isn't volunteering.
Sanman Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 So you get "paid", that is a job. That isn't volunteering. Your point?
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