Putting Things In Perspective

I spend a lot of time moaning and groaning about the ex.. His stupid behaviors and actions rile me up. I get pissy when I have to make my car payment, and I groan about the taxes on my house.  I also spend a bunch of time complaining about being overworked, annoyed, tired, and generally fed up.

After reading an article in our local paper about homelessness, I realize I’m a whiner and need to shut up. Many years ago, my city conducted a vigil called Huddle for the Homeless. We slept outside on the city green overnight and collected donations of food and blankets for our local homeless shelter. The event was held during March, and it was freezing out, literally. I couldn’t feel my feet and I was miserable. The next day, at about 5:00 AM, I went home, showered and slept. I felt like crap for the next day or so…and this was after one measly night! Imagine people that live outside EVERY night! I don’t know how I forgot how this felt.

Today, I read that our local homeless shelter and overflow shelters are beyond capacity. It’s in the teens out every night (colder than that with the wind chill factor) and people are being turned away. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO!!! These poor people are freezing, and in some cases, dying. As a matter of fact, one homeless man recently died overnight in his wheelchair in the bus shelter; the only protection he had from the cold.

The next time I decide I’m going to freak out about what kind of holiday cookies I should bake or feel angry that my ex sent me an insulting text, I’ll stop for a moment and think about those less fortunate. After I do that, I’m going to schedule a night of volunteer work at the shelter. I will change my attitude for the New Year.