Aha Moments

So this really isn't about running but I think about it sometimes when I go running. My husband and I lived in Africa for a while after we got married. We lived and mingled with a beautiful culture that was struck with poverty. While I was there I studied the availability of health care to expectant mothers who were HIV positive. It was devastating to see so many have so little while living in a wounded economy and on the brink of political unrest. I was amazed at the strength of some and sorrowed for the hopelessness of others. I met so many children and adults that would die within months from when I met them. Although we worked tirelessly to help as many as we could it was only a drop of water on a dry and cracked desert floor.

While traveling home from our journey I had a profound experience. We were approaching the shore of the US (which I believe it was New York but I don't remember exactly.) This beautiful country came into view. We got close enough that I could see homes and streets. My heart sank and my stomach turned as we came closer to the homes. They were enormous. There were huge swimming pools and yards carefully manicured and cared for. I remember thinking to myself, "people are starving, people are dying and we care for our cars, yards and homes more than we do people." At that moment I swore to myself that I would never have something just for show. Morally, I could not do it now. Now several years have past. Every time I waste or think of living too big I get a residual of that feeling . I wish everyone could experience what we did. Not go to Africa and stay in the fancy hotels and enjoy the Safari but really live there, worry about the crime, see the poverty and let it sink in. I think a lot of changes would occur.