One of my blog friends posted the following in reference to THIS POST a few days back…
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“Karen, there are billions in this ole world who, if they knew you, would say you *are* living The Big Life. And, they’d be right because they don’t have as much of anything as you have.
It’s all relative. I’m grateful to live in a country where, so far, hard work is rewarded and we can each spend our money the way we see fit.
Another thought…all those homes, cars, boats, etc. require staff and that means a paycheck to a *lot* of people. That money isn’t going to waste just because it’s not going to animal shelters, homeless, etc. That money is keeping people from being homeless, going hungry and, more than likely, being sent “back home” to help out there. A job and a paycheck aren’t small items, especially to the blue collar crowd.”
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Well, I’ll be honest with you. When I first read those words above, I was a little put off. My thoughts went immediately to defending my meaning in that post. But when I read Sandras words again.. I saw another side to this discussion, one that holds water. And once I let the walls down and truly -heard- what Sandra was saying..any negative feelings were put aside and a broader understanding took it’s place.
It occurs to me that this is something the world needs to do… to be able to have discussions about issues, to be open to a broader understanding, whether it’s personal or national relationships, gun control or solutions to poverty, unemployment, nuclear arms or government spending. It applies to everything.
Humbled a little today, I am. And believe me, I’m not living so large that I think I’m too good to say it here.
How wise.
Though we don't have estates or staff, I know that my cleaning lady certainly depends on what we pay her when she is here every two weeks. It's a smaller version of the trickle-down theory. In order for someone to be an employee, someone has to be the employ-ER. (or the commission salesman at the luxury car dealership).
Interesting subject for sure. I don't know, using that example, if I were wealthy enough to own 3 or 4 estates, I wouldn't own them for the sole purpose of employing people. I would think, having that amount of money there would be a better more productive way to "help" people than by hiring them to tend my garden or wash my car. I'm no expert, so I don't have the answer, but I bet someone does.
And hey, nothing wrong with tossing the cost of another Mercedes toward the animal shelters.
Sandra put that well and or but, well I agree, that enough is enough and to throw some of their millions toward an animal shelter or to help a soup kitchen would be very, very helpful!
Thinking on Mark's comment, I agree the elite that are making that much money, and hiring others to do work for them, is not their sole purpose.
However, I also agree with what Sandra wrote. A job is a job, and there are so many people who would give anything to be able to make enough to support themselves, and their families. I ain't too proud to say that I've cleaned many houses in my time, and not that long ago.
I too love to see exchanges of opinions, and most of the time everyone has something good to bring to the table. 🙂
My brother is one of those with 3 homes and several cars. What you don't often see is that many of those people are giving, more than you'd imagine, to charities of all kinds. My brother doesn't like to publicize his donations, as I'd bet goes for many others. He does so quietly without wanting recognition. He pays the various people who tend to his homes and cars extremely well, more than many would make at an ordinary office job. He works 80, 90 hour weeks in the field of research to find cures for cancer, MS, Parkinson's, and he is rewarded financially for his work. What he does with his earnings are his business. What i know to be true is that he lends his properties to family and friends for vacations, etc, has paid the bills for family and friends who are less fortunate, buys complete strangers a meal or a cup of coffee if they are in line with him. He also employs hundreds of people who in turn can support their families. Sometimes we need to look beyond stereotypes…….Thanks for your honesty Karen, and as you said, a place to come and discuss things openly.
Sometimes it sucks to be wrong, and other times not so much….cause like you say, you get to "rethink" and see it from a different perspective. Kudos to you, for not getting resentful, but for seeing that other side. To some, you must be rich…..to others I must be…..Sandra is right, it is all relative….
but in the end, I know, that true success comes from none of that…it is in the heart, and from THAT perspective, girl, I KNOW you are wealthy beyond belief.
🙂
Karen- How funny-as I was reading that comment I wanted to immediately jump to your defense because I thought you were getting a "dressing down"…but by the time I got to the end of the comment I understood what she meant. Humbled, indeed- we all need a bit of humbleness, don't we? Blessings- xo Diana
(Previous comment deleted – typos!)
Karen it is refreshing (in fact, a joy) to know this is a gathering place that welcomes differing opinions – bravo!
Uncommon it is to find such in blogland or IRL for that matter. Such interesting discussions and thought come from hearing all points of view, pondering various (politely offered) perspectives while remaining free to (politely) agree or disagree.
What we can/could/would understand about each other if only what you've done here today were more common, in print, in conversation, in society at large!
Again I say, bravo to you, to Sandra, to all who offer various views politely and all who listen (walls down, lol)
You made my day (as often you do).
Warm regards
Issy
You've never once held your wealth over my head, or sounded the least bit uppity toward me and that's what matters to me. LOL!
i've never thought of you as living large or voicing yourself with that as an undertone…..
to be honest, sometimes people get on their high horses when it comes to comments and i often think, you know….you don't know me….so keep your comments to yourself if you're going to berate me for what i've written….i loved what anonymous wrote here in your comments…..
and so like all comments….this is just my opinion 🙂
xo
The hardest thing about welcoming opinions is being gracious to the ones that, at first blush, seem to disagree with your opinion.
You did it graciously!
I have strong opinions. I do have to say that raising children as I have, to be free thinkers, has really made me much more tolerant. Debating doesn't have to be bad.
I love this!
Karen, you're a big woman with a large heart. You know I wasn't criticizing you but to all of us, "rich" is someone with more than I have and, in that respect, we're all rich. We have computers, time to surf the i-net, a lot of us blog (which takes enormous chunks of time, effort and energy). So many people are struggling simply to find enough food at the dump so they may eat today.
People who own rental houses provide a service for those who don't want to own. Yes, there are people who, for their own reasons, don't want the responsibility of home ownership or their credit isn't good enough and they are rent. God bless owners and renters; we need them all.
The anonymous comment above puts it well. So many folks don't want people to know how and where they give. Like the Bible says, "don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." I feel the same about letting other people know what, how and where I'm giving. God knows and that's enough; He'll judge me, no one else has that right or responsibility…thankfully!
God bless your big heart, Karen.
I tend to shy away from controversial topics on my blog — mostly because I'm easily torqued off and I just don't need the stress. But I respect those that do use their blogs for sounding boards to tough subjects — makes for interesting discussion. 🙂
Ditto what Beth said.
Ditto what Nancy Claeys said too… I am sometimes easily torqued off too.
I appreciate your post and your thoughts on this comment. I sometimes get comments that make me feel like I've 'bragged' about my life and need to be more considerate. But I try to share my life…just as it is. What many don't know about is the years my husband and I had our own small business and worked long hours…every day for years. We are retired now but we still volunteer a lot. My husband volunteers just about as many hours as a 'work week'…for nothing. But we are blessed to be able to do that. You and your family give so much to your community and you bless others with your efforts. And then…God blesses you. I love that it works that way, don't you?