One of my favorite songs (seek up) from my favorite band (Dave Matthews Band) has the following lyrics

Sit awhile with tvs hungry child
Big belly swelled
Oh, for a price of a coke or a smoke
Keep alive those hungy eyes

Being connected to the Christian circuit I hear a lot of talk about “the starving children.” There are people with good intentions wanting to go on mission trips to make a difference. An ex-girl friend of mine has this enormous passion for children in need. It was inspiring to see to say the least.

So why do I have this disconnect? Why am I not passionate about it? I seem to be able to label off all the reasons why I think world aid or missionaries are a waste and are even worsening the situation. But when asked what I think about feeding the starving people… I don’t seem to have a comment.

There are so many layers of trouble in other countries that lead me to believe that traveling there to feed people isn’t helping or isn’t the answer. The more missionaries we have, the more advertisements on giving we see, the more people seem to be dieing and falling victim to it. Nothing that anyone is doing is slowing the death rates in third world countries.

I wonder though, is worrying about all the other stuff (politics, wars, egos, economics) even a concern when we have starving people?

I am more obliged to ask the question “what lead to their starvation?” than I am to jump on a plane and work over their.

My personal view (excuse the ignorance) is that all countries have troubles and that we all have to battle through our struggles. I think things get worse when other countries butt their nose in and tell others how they are doing it wrong and what they need to do to be more like them.

North America fought their own battles. Slavery, civil wars, Canada vs America. We have been their and we have done disgusting things to each other . Could you imagine if China came over when Canada and America were in battle 200 years ago and was like “STOP THIS CRAP or we’ll step in!”

Now I know someone will reply “Ron, its because of North America that these counties are poor” or “someone needs to help those that cant stand for their own” and to that I may/will agree. Unfortunately though, this world has been kept afloat by wars and people being in disagreement. Someone or something will always want more and who ever has that something better get a solid army or get good at speaking the other countries language.

As much as I like John Lennon and his “Peace for the world” campaign its too idealistic. People somewhere are going to be poor, mistreated, stepped upon, starving and dieing. Is it our job to fit their antagonists or just help band aid the situation?

Yah… this post went from being about feeding the poor to feeling pessimism about world peace. Its just one of those thinking days.
Cheers.

This morning Ken and I went on a bike ride for 2 hours. I really enjoy bike riding; even if its just a nice stroll around Sarnia.
Sarnia is so beautiful wouldn’t you agree?

So beautiful, yet it didn’t just appear this way. Many people with so many visions have helped sculpt this city into the site you enjoy today.

Biking down by the bridge is very enjoyable. Alot of work has taken place in the last few years here. It has really become a landmark. There is this area built for old timers right on the water. There are signs on the road that are so inviting for you to drop $300 K on water front property. Signs like PARK YOUR BOAT IN YOUR BACK YARD and ENJOY THE VIEW and my personal favorite is “LIVE THE LIFE YOU HAVE BEEN PURSUING YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

I laughed at first because this is something Dave, Nathan and I enjoy chatting about all the time. Live the life you have been pursuing? Is this now the name of the game, was this always the game? I’m to spend my whole life pursuing a dream home on the lake with a boat and oodles of money? Many would say yes.

We have two extremes I figure. Live for today or pursue tomorrow. We all have friends that fall into one of those categories. We all do. Some days we are on one side and the next we are the other.

Example: Your party friends. You know the kind; always partying, starting social events and staying up late only caring for that day (haha, very funny when you pegged me as that guy).
Then your other friends. Always talking about the future. I’m going to buy this when….. I am going to go there when….. I am going to retire after……
They never spend money because they are stock piling. For the house on the lake perhaps??

If your reading this and you’re starting to think “well I am a bit of both” and I would say welcome to my world. What the hell are we doing with ourselves?

It’s Saturday and I am taking a break from work to write this. Yes, Saturday and I am at work. I need extra cash, got those loans to pay. Loans to pay. As you can see I jumped into this game very early. I had the mentality “Go into debt” (good debt people tell me) attend school, get the certs, get the job and you know the rest. Needless to say I am half way through the process and soon the debts will be gone and I will be free to get more debt to get more stuff.

So whats the solution? When I get out of debt just stop? Quit working, stop consuming and be still and stagnant? That would be my live for the day side coming out.

So I am torn. And before you reply to this and give me the “well Ron, its all about balance, really think about it.” Can you be balanced on a subject such as this?