While you're having fun...

Philippines
April 30, 2012 9:06am CST
Everytime I buy coffee from Starbucks, watch a 3D movie, have an expensive meal at a restaurant, or spend vacation at a nice resort, I feel a sudden flash of guilt. A picture of streetchildren suffering from hunger and just sleeping the night off with nothing to eat, would cross my mind. I feel guilty that, while I'm having fun and easily spending my money for luxury, a lot of people can't even eat a decent meal, 3 times a day, or even just once. Do you find yourself in the same situation? And, do you do something about it?
7 responses
• Indonesia
1 May 12
I do not feel guilty because I think i deserve to spoil myself sometime with luxury item or expensive food to enjoy my life after a hard work. I will feel guilty if i order food but in the end I could not finish it, that is why i will only take or eat what i can eat, I will feel guilty if I buy something that i dont use it later. There are many ways to help other people, we can donate our money, we can join charity event, we can help other by sharing our skill so they can learn what we've learnt so they can try it by themself and to stand by their own feet. Yes, it is good that we care for those who are not lucky to have meal 3times a day, and living under poverty but always remember that we also need to love ourself, to give a gift or to spoil ourself will make us feel relax, fresh. So I think it is not wrong to enjoy our life once a while.
• Philippines
2 May 12
Very true. Afterall, it's our hard work, so we should have a taste of a good reward for ourself.
• Philippines
1 May 12
hello, nice to hear these words of your concern. Actually you can still do something about this. You can still do same expensive things that you do do and not feeling guilty. When you buy a meal try buying 2 instead. Eat your meal and give the other one to the first beggar you see on the streets. As simple as that. Or I suggest that you become active with a specific ORGANIZATION or CHARITY for these said less fortunate people, so you can help them. Being active in These charitable activities are actually fun. You get to see very happy smile of children and families. You can even change there lives unconsciously. Remember this saying "give a man a fish and you can feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime".
• Philippines
2 May 12
Those are great suggestions. I've actually done the "buying a meal for the first beggar on the strett" thing, long time ago. It felt so good to have helped. But, of course, I can't do that everyday. And, perhaps, I'd do that only if I see someone who really needs the help.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
30 Apr 12
I don't feel guilty at all....basically because I help when I can...and not one of us can control the hunger or lack of living places for others....we can just help when we can....and not feel guilty. If you work hard for your money you are entitled to spend it on yourself too..not just others.
• Philippines
1 May 12
Right. I think I'm just being too hard on myself. I worked hard for the money, so I should be entitled to enjoy it. I only drop donations during church service, and if there are calamaties affecting peole in certain areas. I don't like giving money to streetpeople.
@marguicha (215405)
• Chile
1 May 12
I have reached a compromise with myself, friend. I cannot stop the 2 billion undernourished people from being hungry. But I play every day little game at a site sponsored by the WFP of the UN. The site is called freerice.com Check it. You donĀ“t have to give money: just a little of your time. And rice is donated for each right answer you give.
• Philippines
2 May 12
This is a good way. I'll sign up right now and start helping. I sure can give my time. Thanks for this.
• India
16 May 12
There are many ones around us who live around us without having the money to meet their necessity. They even spent their whole day for finding their money but still they earn very less but there are many ones around us who led luxurious life. They spent earn a lot and I used to donate people some money for the poor and this is what I can do for them.
• Philippines
30 Apr 12
Well as for me, I don't feel guilty at all since my parents did the hard work to have these luxury. It's their fault why they are in their state yet they blame the government for not giving them what is needed. But the questions arise, did they done their part? Some probably and some are not. Doing something about it, better donate some things when possible.
• Philippines
1 May 12
That's true. I even see some of them who are still fit to get a job, but they opt to just walk around the streets asking money from other people. Some, would use their kids - this one is really awful.
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
30 Apr 12
Somestimes I do, sometimes I don't. Especially if I'm supposed to save money but I get seduced by a nice sale or I just want to go out.