Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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How is that on one side of the train tracks EXCESS IS ACCEPTED? And, on the other, NEED is quickly IGNORED?

— —- —-

AND, WITH THE LINE, COMES THE EXTREMES.
 I can’t deny… the invisible line exists, one, stares at
me every week. 
[Enter in : more than plenty = WEALTH & hardly enough to live = NEED] 
—- —- —-
 
I know… a lot of times it is all about
me, me, me… now, now, now…
and, instant gratification.
But, when do we GET OVER OURSELVES long enough to use the
resources we have to
MEET THE TANGIBLE NEEDS that are STARING US directly in
the face?

Why are we so scared to take a risk for the betterment of
humanity?

In my city alone there are: 6,500 – HOMELESS NEIGHBORS…
And, 12,000 – EMPTY APARTMENTS

It baffles me!

Are we terrified that if we reach to meet another’s basic
needs it will cause our life to fall apart before us?
Or, maybe we have become SO COMFORTABLE & SO SECURE we simply don’t care?
The HAUNTING IDEA of, if I
am good – then, that’s all that matters.… or, what I don’t see isn’t my mine to
deal with.

 

THESE ARE SCARY PLACES FOR ANYONE TO BE.

Pockets of wealth & poverty – THEY STEM from a BREAKDOWN in COMMUNITY.
Have you paid attention to the invisible line in your city,
lately?
First, focus on your own zip code.
“You don’t have to travel to
a third-world country to serve the poor.

Look in your own corner of the
world, FIND YOUR OWN CALCUTTA,

And, pour yourself out into it.” 

                                                                       – Mother Teresa

 
I am in a conundrum; my dreams don’t align with the world’s
dreams.
Constantly surrounded by, A PLETHORA CHASING SPRINT STYLE
TOWARDS THE AMERCIAN DREAM…
And honestly, I am no longer impressed by it.
The most piercing conversations I have had in the last two
months have been with the homeless.

The alarming reality is:  at night they become part of a large number.

They change from a soul with a basic need, shelter, to a
figure after sunset.

Removed, forgotten, & overlooked. Each a face, just one of the many…  with no abode.

One very small in stature has the smile of a confident &
mature gentleman, puts it like this:

“NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD OR THE HOMELESS.”
 

Why am I absolutely convinced that the American dream is not
the final answer?

Because, I know… because, I know … because, I know…. that it
is just not.
 
I can assure you, FACES WITH NO ABODE are in a wasteland in
the Philippines and without a doubt…
They are also ONLY MILES away from your
cozy house.  Pockets of
wealth & poverty stretch globally, but, it’s all relative. Homelessness may look
one way in the slums of Kampala or Nairobi, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t
exist in the states.

 
These statistics, as some call them, well, they are becoming
my friends.
They have a FACE, they have a NAME, & they have a PULSE.

 

And, believe me… they recognize when someone genuinely cares
or when someone is frightened by their appearance.  Most likely, they are offended when someone gives them a
quarter just to make them go away.
Maybe you are skeptical like I was, of the cardboard signs –
but, not all of them are made up. 

If you head north on College you’ll find them tucked away, bothering no
one, holding no sign. 

 

ONLY THING THEY HOLD ONTO IS THE LAST STRING OF HOPE.

 

 

The first day, I drove into the lot. I found myself eerily
at peace.
Immediately, I was asked by a rather tall fella, “How do you get to
heaven?”
 
Shocked by the question, I had no immediate words. I found myself at
ease around these folks that lives looked very different than my own. Moments later, I had been directed with their help to the
front door. I asked the gentleman
that unlocked the building “Are
these folks waiting for a meal?“ He politely responded, “No, they just wait.”

That resonated so deep in my chest.  I THOUGHT, THEY JUST WAIT?

WAIT FOR WHAT?

For hope?

FOR NOTHING? 

For SOMEONE – FOR ANYONE to RESCUE THEM? 

For more than a few… to CARE?

Don’t let your skepticism
of the cardboard keep you from responding.