I don't do New Years resolutions. Today I'm thinking of the things I still have in my life.
I still have a sense of humor (and irony) that allows me to laugh and enjoy life at times, no matter what comes at me. I have people who care about me and will help out when I need them. I have a solid job and a survivable income, an apartment that is under market value (relatively) and hopefully a decent raise to make ends meet again.
Since I have been blessed with some economic stability, my major charity has been the Bowery Mission ever since I moved into the city in 2005. In comparison to those that they help, particularly the residential program that has set so many men and women back on their feet, my woes are insignificant. I'm lucky that my "survivable income" is actually leaps and bounds more than those in the city that are not just homeless, but working 2 or 3 jobs to truly make ends meet, and those who literally live paycheck to paycheck. It helps give perspective, particularly during the tough times.
Interestingly, while for years I've donated, this year their new fundraising director has actually contacted me to bring me on a tour of the Mission, allowed me to serve lunch one Sunday, and really reached out to me in terms of feeling that I am making a difference. My donations are a drop in the bucket compared to the rich UES denizens that can donate hundreds of thousands, but I incredibly appreciate that he's made the effort for me, where what I can give is something warranting some notice.
I'm still not quite settled emotionally from the past year, but this helps. Knowing that I can make a difference for others who are less fortunate, and hoping that this new year will bring some more opportunities to really let myself be grateful and feel that I'm making what little changes I can achieve in the world does help a bit.
I should do this on a regular basis, and count my blessings (so to speak, I'm somewhere around agnostic/atheist when it comes to a god) since it does put things in a much more comprehensive perspective instead of the tunnel vision that can occur all too easily in my mind. I'm not setting high expectations for this year versus others that have passed, but realism is preferable to delusion. I'm very lucky and I should always remind myself of that.
I still have a sense of humor (and irony) that allows me to laugh and enjoy life at times, no matter what comes at me. I have people who care about me and will help out when I need them. I have a solid job and a survivable income, an apartment that is under market value (relatively) and hopefully a decent raise to make ends meet again.
Since I have been blessed with some economic stability, my major charity has been the Bowery Mission ever since I moved into the city in 2005. In comparison to those that they help, particularly the residential program that has set so many men and women back on their feet, my woes are insignificant. I'm lucky that my "survivable income" is actually leaps and bounds more than those in the city that are not just homeless, but working 2 or 3 jobs to truly make ends meet, and those who literally live paycheck to paycheck. It helps give perspective, particularly during the tough times.
Interestingly, while for years I've donated, this year their new fundraising director has actually contacted me to bring me on a tour of the Mission, allowed me to serve lunch one Sunday, and really reached out to me in terms of feeling that I am making a difference. My donations are a drop in the bucket compared to the rich UES denizens that can donate hundreds of thousands, but I incredibly appreciate that he's made the effort for me, where what I can give is something warranting some notice.
I'm still not quite settled emotionally from the past year, but this helps. Knowing that I can make a difference for others who are less fortunate, and hoping that this new year will bring some more opportunities to really let myself be grateful and feel that I'm making what little changes I can achieve in the world does help a bit.
I should do this on a regular basis, and count my blessings (so to speak, I'm somewhere around agnostic/atheist when it comes to a god) since it does put things in a much more comprehensive perspective instead of the tunnel vision that can occur all too easily in my mind. I'm not setting high expectations for this year versus others that have passed, but realism is preferable to delusion. I'm very lucky and I should always remind myself of that.
posted by AnonymousX at 2:50 PM
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