Where is your attention? (Where is your wealth?)

It doesn't matter where you are - the US, Europe, Taiwan - the bleak state of the international economy has everyone's attention.

In the face of Global Economic Depression, we First-World, Middle-Class Americans must keep a healthy perspective on our condition.

Social Intelligence is described as the ability to understand social situations and managing oneself successfully.

Through a conversation with a student here in Taiwan, I came to realize today just how fitting that definition is in our current fiscal fiasco.

What are we doing to manage ourselves successfully? Yes, this means Nationally, but when it's answered on a personal scale, it sheds clear light onto our priorities.

We feel as though our cozy way of life is threatened, but what about those around us?

According to *Global Rich List, I am the 773,071.647th richest person in the world.
That's in the top 13%.

That means 87% of the world is in a worse-off financial situation than I am. What am I doing with my wealth? What choices am I making to give a hand up to those within my reach. And let's be honest here. What is keeping me from answering these questions honestly?

RICHER THAN YOU THINK?

How do you feel about that? A bit richer we hope. Richer and ready to give some of your newly found wealth to those who need it most. It not hard - just slip your hand in your pocket and pull out something special. Something that can help redress the balance - and also make you feel uncommonly good. Many peoples lives could be happier if you donated just one hour's salary (approx $6.41 - UK estimate).

All you have to do is make a choice.

What are the choices that we're making?

"But I don't know any poor people!"

That may be too true. Today, I heard someone challenge:

"Isn't most of your life people you like who like you? We rarely have space or margin for those who are different."

How many times do we pass the opportunity to create change, our margins held closely at our sides? Blinders over our eyes keep us from the expanse of the horrizons.

In response to a recent post a friend from a netherland (lame joke), Renée, pointed me towards a video that has served as a reminder to all of this. I love art that points us to a bigger picture. Art that is inspiring, challenging, and convicting all at the same time.

May we learn to expand our horizons.

May we keep the perspective of the great wealth we have by keeping our attention in the right place.

May we "be the change we hope to see in the world."

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*I had come across this site before, but was brought to it this time by a Facebook Friend named Brandt Russo. Brandt's the type of guy you write books about, not blogposts. And if he doesn't get to writing a book soon, I'm flying to Louisiana to give him a good shaking. Brandt's an ordinary radical, as accurately as the term has been coined. Arrested for wanting to talk to a pastor about helping the homeless, Brandt is one of the few crazy-dangerous people in the world that take seriously what Jesus said about selling all your possessions to give to the poor and remembering the marginalized in society. Check out his website for more information on his on-the-road ministry/nonprofit "Can't Ignore the Poor".

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Also, Thanks to those of you who helped reach the goal of purchasing 10 Mosquito Nets for 10 Families in Africa. You know who you are. Nothing But Nets
Now it's time for me to lower my own mosquito net, and drift off to sleep. Thanks for reading.

I Wish We Were in a Depression

My predictions for today were right.

I went to Starbucks with some friends. I don't know if I contributed to the "Starbucks Goes (RED)" gig, because most of the menu and signs were in Chinese. The Toffee Nut Latte was good, though. I'll admit I missed the Pumpkin Spice, and I became keenly aware of the fact that this would be a Christmas without Egg Nog by the look on Jimmy's face when I asked him if he's heard of such a drink. But before all that, the first thing I noticed when I walked into Starbucks was Christmas Music.
That's when it hit me: The Holiday Season Has Begun.

My thoughts have been tuned to the "Black Friday" festivities all day long. I'm quite glad I escaped it this time round, considering my position at ground zero last year. If anyone participated in Buy Nothing Day, I applaud you. (I know of a few who did)

Though, if you'd heard of "Buy Nothing Day" and still chose to venture out to the malls and markets in search of a frugal deal, I understand. You are not unlike the rest of the country.

Earlier, I read a story on Yahoo! News that quotes shoppers saying that money's tight this year because of the failing economy. It would list how they were sticking to a budget, or focusing primarily on their kids.

Then it would say something like:

She bought a Dynax LCD 32-inch TV for $400, slashed from $500, along with an iPod and several DVDs.

I couldn't help but imagine the 28-inch TV in her family room.


Not long after I read that article, I read a different one.

This isn't a Depression. It's just Depressing.