American Millionaire

John and I went to see Slumdog Millionaire last night. The movie was incredibly well done and told a poignant story of two people desperately trying to be together while incredible circumstances keep them apart. Although entertaining, it was more thought provoking. At the close, tears came to my eyes as I thought of the little orphaned children who live in squalor in India. This movie shows the normality of poverty and lack of freedom that exists in other parts of the world...circumstances that we know very little about. As American's most of us have a world view that everyone lives as we do. It is normal that each household has at least one and most likely two cars. That the Jones' must be kept up with, it is appropriate to spend upwards of $5 on a specialty coffee drink, and that owning a home is some kind of right have become normal attitudes in our culture.

I left the movie feeling incredibly grateful and, frankly, more than a little ashamed. How much of my life do I take for granted? A lot. What small things do I spend time and energy whining about? Plenty. What more can I do to become more charitable? Much. Here are some statistics to consider.

Nearly 80% of India lives on half a dollar a day.
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSDEL218894

Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

In these days of economic unrest we should all consider what we can live without and what we can afford to give to those in need. Believe me, I am not standing on a soap box. I know that I have not been doing my part and that my family can and will give more. I hope you will too.