Skip to main content

25% vs. the 75%

"Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful for the basic things in life, like waking up in your own bed, having a roof over your head, and having a choice of what food to eat — but these things shouldn’t be taken for granted. With those things alone, you’re richer than 75% per cent of the world. Really take that in for a moment. Despite your struggle, and by nature of being able to read this article, you are in a better position than 75% of the world." --Alex Heery

I came across this in one of the articles that I've been reading for some character-building research. I'm trying to refine a protagonist who is in desperate straits and must make some very tough decisions. I haven't really related to her yet on an emotional level. Yet it was this quote from the article that reminded me of the time in my life when I was in my early twenties, struggling to get by, and definitely not in the 25%.

I'm not going to depress you with details, but I know only too well what it's like to be young and cash-strapped and too proud to ask for help, and yet to be so desperately in need of it. I felt terribly ashamed. I grew up poor, so I knew how to get by, but it seemed like I would never be able to escape that desperation. It's odd that I didn't remember my own experiences when I was puzzling over how to write this character. Maybe it was so traumatic for me that I tend to block it all out.

Not being able to afford what everyone else took for granted forced me to learn how to economize and do without, but there were a few very bad times when I actually thought I wouldn't make it and I'd end up living under a bridge -- literally. I had no idea what would happen to me. Emotionally speaking it was so much worse than anything I struggle with now, even the physical issues. While my struggles were very different from what my character is experiencing, I think the emotions have to be very similar, so I think I've found some common ground.

Anyway, today I will find a way to show some gratitude for where I am versus where I've been.

What are you grateful for today?

Labels:

Comments

nightsmusic said…
I'm grateful every morning that my feet hit the ground with a roof over my head. I've probably walked in your younger shoes, or close to them so I will be forever grateful for where I am in life and what I have. I appreciate it all more than most would ever understand.
January 27, 2021 at 8:51 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Goodwill Gamble #2 Arrives

My second Goodwill gamble arrived; this is one I paid ten bucks for last month. Just inside the lid was a big roll of plastic mesh that I think is for latchhook work. In the auction listing it looked like fabric to me, so that was unexpected. Someone at the seller's end was nice enough to put a note on this pinned fabric. I'll put on my gloves before I take it out to inspect it. The embroidered green fabric turned out to be 1-1/2 yards of sequinned and three-dimensional designer fabric. I'll guess this cost somewhere between $20.00 to $30.00 a yard, and it's in pristine condition. But here's a shot of everything in the lot, which is mostly crafty odds and ends with a small amount of cotton fabrics, a large amount of synethetic fabrics, and some other surprises. The original owner of these was probably a Catholic school teacher; these beads, crosses and medallions are the kind of rosary kits for kids to make at Sunday school or Bible camp (and s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Love Means This

Invested in a couple of hand-dyed bundles from one of my favorite fabric artists. This one said "Make me into something for Valentine's Day." So I went for a quilted and embellished tote. I kept thinking about what love means to me as I worked on it. Here's the finished tote. Although I was tempted to embellish with beads and pins, I got sick and only felt well enough to do a little stitching every night. As I worked I thought about how often love seems disappointing to us, especially when it fails to live up to our expectations. But now that I've experienced love in many forms, I can say that it's made me a better person than I might have been without it. Love is a precious thing, and should be appreciated in all its forms. I am very grateful for the love of my guy, my child and my friends who have stuck with me all these years. That's you two, in case you're wondering. :) Also finally found something to do with a ve...
1 comment
Read more

Fabscrap for 2023

In December I made two orders from Fabscrap. The first arrived with this giant spool of variegated taupe yarn; it's more than enough to make a nice big wrap or a lap blanket. I also added two pounds of mendable sample garment tops in this particular order. I made a mistake and clicked on large for the size, and then later read that they were out of stock. I expected they would backorder my order, but instead they made some delightful substitutions. This pretty pink top doesn't need any mending or alteration. This is a dress, I believe, and it looks to be in perfect condition, too. A white eyelet blouse, also in new condition. Keep in mind that all these garments are $8.00 a pound, which works out to $4.00 each for this order. That's cheaper than Goodwill. I even got a coat. That neon green faux fur on the cuffs definitely has to go, but I love the coat. This is a yard pack of neutral naturals. The linen alone (on the right) is worth about $25....
Post a Comment
Read more