Homelessness in America

While I am going to discuss the Occupy movements, this is really a post about homelessness in America. Millions of Americans sleep on the streets every night, you can find them sleeping on the streets of New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Berkley, Oakland, San Francisco, Portland, you name a city and there are homeless people sleeping on the streets.

I have been responsible for taking in a few of these people. I have fed them and lived with them and helped them. Guess what they were not junkies or crazy. Those are out there; but, that is not all of them and they don't all start out that way. Look up what percentage of foster children end up on the streets when they are 18.

This nation which can give a banker a $50 million dollar bonus after bankrupting the bank or a CEO after bankrupting a company cannot find it in it's heart to feed or clothe the homeless. Instead people look down on the homeless and the police ignore them sleeping on the streets because the alternative would be to put them in jail; but, then you would have to feed, clothe and house them.

You don't see the politicians making a big deal about homelessness. They just ignore the issues. They ignore them sleeping in the alleys, streets, sidewalks and parks. I have this against the Occupy movement, if you don't call for the betterment of all then you don't deserve it for yourselves.

As for the politicians and police who seek to remove the Occupy people from the parks and sidewalks. I guess the only time you notice someone sleeping on the streets is when they have a sign talking about your corruption rather than begging for enough to eat. By the way, don't you think I should Occupy my blog. I think I will, I think we all should, those of us who don't choose to sleep on the streets with our brothers and sisters; but, support their right to be heard, to petition for change and there are not requirements, you don't have to do it in a legislated manner, it is okay to complain in any way that gets you heard and is peaceful.

After decades of allowing millions of Americans to sleep on the streets rather than giving them a place to stay, suddenly the politicians and people in power are concerned about people sleeping in the streets and urinating in the streets. What has changed? These people are complaining about it, that is all that has changed. They are complaining about all the wealth going to a few on the top.

A change is coming, nothing can stop it. The exact nature of that change depends on us, the 99%, the Tea Partiers and Occupy movement, heck, regular people, non-political people, our society is going to change. The discussion can be peaceful or violent, I personally am a pacifist and have a preference; but, I know history.

I will give my definition of what "Occupy" means, it means that I as an individual and we as the ignored occupy this world also. "We" matter, we are not a commodity, we should not be abused, all people matter. Anyone who reads my blog would have to be pretty dumb to think I would have been against this movement. Think about what it says, YOU MATTER. Think that just came to me after the movement began, my blog's posts are dated. People matter.

The world will be different in two years, count on it, you already know it. The question is how we will decide what that change is, in what manner will the discussion be had. Will we be tricked into something that is worse for the majority, will we violently take control and distribute our wealth in a new manner or will we be as inclusive as possible in openly discussing the options and seek consensus? Only time will tell; but, don't think that we will ever return to the past.

Here is where these times are trying and this is just history. It can be peaceful or violent and the masses always win in these times. It can result in more peace or more restriction. No society every succeeded that only got more restrictive, that is history. The determination as to how a society proceeds is based on grace, it is when the winning side does not destroy the losing side; but, finds a new way to work together. That is history.

When the winner emerges, they tend to destroy the minds behind their movement. It is best to listen to the minds behind the movement before they are eliminated. That is how we remember history, not by how we personally benefit from changes, from why the changes were needed and why the society that preceded failed. Change is a constant and evil exists, corruption is nothing more than selfishness and a disregard for others. That is corruption and it may or may not result in you becoming richer.

This life is not an individual journey, it is a societal journey. It is the mass of consciousness finding it's best place and if we do not than we share in the misery of what we have created. We are the creation that keeps on creating. This is not "Star Trek" or some tv show, this is life and it is experienced by all of us and we decide how it will be. Be well.

Purpose in Life

I have to lead a little home study group tonight, the regular pastor is sick. The series we have been going over has to do with finding purpose in life. We should all have intent; but, sometimes things change and we must change also. A simple example of this would be dedicating your life to your family, well, when the kids grow and your spouse leaves or dies, you cannot really live that purpose in the same way.

I mention this because at this point in my life I am living that experience. The kids are grown and have their own lives and the ex is, well, she is the ex. I haven't really had much time to ponder my purpose, or my new purpose because I have been busy unburdening myself of so much. Getting rid of my house and finishing my divorce were biggies and they took a couple of years. Settling in to my new place has also taken some time, although I really enjoy having less to deal with.

I was asked today by a friend if I was going to date again and I said I really didn't know, that it wasn't something on my mind. Ever since I was 4, I knew what I wanted to do and I did it. Now I am in my early 50s and starting over in many ways. I think that takes some distance and time, distance from the life we lived and the intent we had so that we can let go of the old habits and determine where we want to go.

I believe we should have purpose in life and I also believe that sometimes we have to take some time to ourselves to review the past choices and decisions that we made. I do not think we should just jump into something new, especially not a relationship. Sometimes we jut need a break. I need a break from thinking about what I want to do with my life.

An aside to this is that when these phases in life complete and we are ready to begin a new one, we begin with more knowledge and understanding and doors that were once closed can open again. Tonight my purpose is simple, stand in for someone. I can do that, I can talk for a little.

Sometimes it is as simple as what you are going to do today rather than what you are going to do for the rest of your life. Who knows what tomorrow may bring, I sure don't. I do not know who I will meet, what I will be confronted with or if I will even see the sun shine again. For today, I am just going to finish the night, hopefully. Be well.