"Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to self-reliance for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melting away."
- Mahatma Gandhi
These are my babies, my daughter and nephews.
I cannot imagine having to look into any of these faces and say, "I'm sorry, baby, we don't have anything for dinner tonight."
"I'm sorry baby, we don't have any apples left for snack."
"I'm sorry baby, we just don't have anything for your empty tummy."
"I'm sorry baby..."
I have tears in my eyes even thinking of it. I cannot imagine how powerless that would feel. I cannot imagine not having enough. Yet it happens. I found this statistic at JustHarvest.org:
In 2006, in the United States, 4% households (4.6 millions households) experienced hunger, which is a 3.9% increase from 2005.
And, as we know, it is even worse in many other countries.
I wrote a blog when I found out that my local crisis center ran out of food and had to close their doors on a Tuesday. I cleaned out my cupboards. I felt really bad that I don't do more on an ongoing basis. I realized that I have too much. I realized that I only need enough.
Another quote from Gandhi comes to mind:
"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
I am making a vow right now to live on enough. I am making a vow to survive on what I have in my cupboards and freezer before I buy more. I am making a vow to share my grocery budget with those who don't have enough. I am making a vow to start shopping for enough. This is something I can do. I have this power, and if I do not use it I cannot look at myself in the mirror. ENOUGH.
What can you do? What is within your power today?
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Wow Ihad no idea that all those people needed help. you go mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!