Two sites truly hit me hard today. The first was the sight of Christmas decorations on display at one store as if it was normal that they'd be out only a week after school started! And this was the second. Someitmes I just hate the way the American economy works. It's all More, More, More! There are thousands of products in this aisle. An over abundance of diferent styles of rice, canned vegetables, soups and condiments. I can see why some cultures go into shock when they first move here. There really is more than we could ever want or need. But there was one thing that also impressed me today. Our supermarket has prepackaged grocery bags which you can purcahse as a donation for the local food pantry. All you do is add it to your cart and pay for it at the check out. So after all the commercialism and choices to the point of overkill, it was nice to see there were oppotunities to help out the less fortunate too.
I know what you mean. After a year out of the country, coming back was a bit of a culture shock to me. The day after I arrived back in the states, my dad took me to Wal-Mart to buy whatever I needed. I broke down because it just felt too big and there were so many choices. Haha!
I was captured by what you wrote and the things it made me think of. memories of traveling in other countries, and being accosted by homelessness everytime I go to the grocery store, and the sad fact of how many people are starving while so many others are killing themselves with overweight. Balance is rare. Sounds like the food pantry bags are a nice effort at achieving it.
@pandorasecho Thanks Dixie! You're right. I'm always looking for some sort of balance-especially when I see so many people whose lives are totally unbalanced! I want to enjoy some of the blessings that living here provides. But I don't ever want to become obsessed with "getting things" or to ignore the blessnigs God has already given me. I have a roof over my head, a loving family and we don't really go hungry. Do I spend whatever I want on food? NO. But I don't need to either! Balance- that's the key. And when you're in balance, you are able to do something when there is a need. Well, now I'm preaching to the choir as they say. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
Cool shot. I'm a major coupon queen--always look for bargains :-0 Our Publix does the same with the bagged items for the poor and also has a gift tree at Christmas.
@httpgeffed Colleen- you make me smile! Thanks! @cimes1 Thanks Carole- I'm glad to hear other places do something similar. It makes it so easy to help out and I love helping if I can.
September 16th, 2011
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
I like the perspective.
@cimes1 Thanks Carole- I'm glad to hear other places do something similar. It makes it so easy to help out and I love helping if I can.