My little Poverty

I have been out of college for, let's see, 18 months and am finding it very hard to get "established" after making that final step out of your parents house, yet still needing them, financially every now and then.  I am working quite a bit, at least hours wise, and am just beginning to see the light of enough resources to take care of myself fully, almost.  Anyways, without disclosing many details I'd like to share a little bit about what my struggle means in the grand scheme of human life and share a story about time spent recently with a good buddy. 
  My buddy and I were strolling the streets of Concord, coffee in hand, and I asked him, "Ya know, I think people are the most important, I want to help people, what do you want to do?" and he answered, that He was more concerned with nature and the environment and our impact therein.  We talked of poverty, riches, preservation, and peace.  It occurred to me, very strongly indeed, that I myself, was considered poor, or otherwise, living in poverty, according to U.S. government standards.  Yet, here we were, driving around, eating pastries and drinking coffee in a city.  NOT POOR. 
  It made me think about "the gap", "the reality", and "the lie".  First of all I am not by any stretch, poor, nor am I living in poverty.  According to the world, i am quite wealthy, and, while my bank account may not agree, my heart and soul certainly do.  Second, certainly this poverty is not like that poverty.  We have different standards in different places, fair enough.  But what does it all really mean?  We buy a lie, as young people, as Americans, that we are and have the right to be comfortable and safe, at all times.  We have no right.  Freedom, is fought and earned.  What about safety and comfort?  Same thing.  These are not rights but things to be earned or otherwise blessed with.  A time for war, and a time for peace right???  But sometimes we forget, that the truth of it all, is that we often times have to enter into or overcome, dangerous and extremely uncomfortable situations first to find that safety and comfort.  Oh, we don't know the half of it!
  The reality of all of this, is that we still have poor people in America, absolutely.  But the problem is, they are often hidden, or their may even be some politics within their poverty, such as welfare or a certain law pertaining to a certain group of people.  We have systems (albeit flawed) to help the poor in our country.  As for the ones who refuse help or otherwise do not receive the help they need, in America, well that is up to us, the body, the community to reach out, lend a hand, say a prayer, bake a lasagna, whatever it takes.  The reality is, we all have a way here.  Wouldn't it be cool if we took care of ALL the Americans and then went out to help the poor in other countries?
  Finally, the Gap.  No not the clothing store.  But rather the space between.  It seems there is a gap between these types of poverty.  From rich to middle/lower class in this country; but especially from poverty to poverty.  Like, for instance, my poverty versus the poverty in Mexico or Russia.  Looks different.  There is a space.  How do we close the gap?  How do we build a bridge?  Why don't we want to?  What is our human responsibility?  What is our right (and isn't it a universal one)? 

listen:
Shawn McDonald- "the space between us"

We did it!

I admit that I am a bit of a dreamer.  Some would call me an idealist.  Regardless, I choose to believe in "the better part" as it were.  That being said, something struck me recently and I just can't let it go.
Where I live in NH there is a mountain called MT Kearsarge that overlooks a better part of the area.  In addition to being home to a fire-tower and the Colby-Sawyer annual "Mountain Day" destination, it is also home to a number of hiking trails.  The longest trail, titled "Lincoln Trail", travels just under ten miles up the mountain and back to the original destination of Mt. Kearsarge.  This trail first ascends the little brother to Kearsarge, called "Black Mountain".
  Now what struck me about this situation is that Black Mountain was supposed to be purchased by a contractor and turned into condos on the side of the hill.  That would have knocked out the trail and really been an eye sore for those who live in the area or travel south on Rte 89.  So the nature conservation had to raise some money to  save Black mountain.
  Well, this story ends happily and Black mountain will remain conservation land.  I am super excited and very grateful that they were able to make this conservation possible!  However, what shocked me was the money it took to get there!
1.2 million dollars.
That's correct.
1.2 MILLION DOLLARS $1,200,000
That's a lot of money, and i do not know just where the money came from or even if it is to be paid over many years or what.
But what shocked me, besides the amount, was that a community could raise over a million dollars for a piece of land, but yet we can seldom give $20 to our church or put a five in a homeless man's cup.
The title on the flyer said, "we did it"
and
I am super pumped to keep playing in the forest on Black Mountain.
But it makes me wonder.
As if it hasn't been said enough, being the wealthiest (or at least second) wealthiest country in the world how come their is still so much poverty and pain due to problems that could simply be fixed by very small financial distributions.

Should we buy a mountain or a clean water for a village?
Should we buy a mountain or give some meals?
Should we buy a mountain or a battered w omen's shelter?
Is the world really a cruel an unfair place or are we?

Even though I love Black Mountain, when given the option, I would much rather spend, or rather, distribute my "expendable" financial resource elsewhere.

listen:

Sleeping at Last "emphasis"