Of those to whom much is given...

One of my favorite quotes is President Kennedy's statement that "Of those to whom much is given, much is expected". I consider myself one of those to whom much is given. If you look at me through a Western consumerist lens, you will likely disagree. I'm an immigrant and have gone through numerous challenges associated with this experience. I am bi-cultural which means I will never quite fully fit in to one culture or another. I rent an apartment which is so small that I can literally vacuum all carpeted areas without unplugging the vacuum cleaner from the original outlet. I am educated but by choosing to work in the nonprofit world, I basically cap the income I can have. And don't even get me started on the personal and relationship stuff I have faced.

But I am healthy, safe, and loved. My home is warm, there is always food on my table, and I don't have to worry about clean water, clothes to wear to work, or transportation. And this itself is much, much more than what the vast majority of people in this world have. I have seen poverty and chosen not to look away. The parent who literally counts pennies to make sure there is money for rice - the most filling of meals that he can provide his children. The elderly woman rummaging through a dumpster for something that she may be able to sell at a recycling station. The countless people and animals who die of hunger every single minute of every single day.

It is through the roll of the dice that I happened to be born as one of the people to whom much is given (ok, there were effort and choices along the way that shaped my life as well). And I consider it my duty toward the universe as a whole to try and alleviate the suffering of others. I know I will not single-handedly change the world. But I will surely make a dent in the despair and transform some of the pain into hope and love.

If you are reading this blog post, you have electricity, access to a computer and the Internet, and are literate. You ARE one of the ones to whom much is given. Please consider giving back: donate, volunteer, advocate. WE are the ones who can and will make the world a better place!