Austerity
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
June 17, 2021 11:46pm CST
It's a given, mylot has become a personal journal where members note down their daily grind, their thoughts and feelings, and likes and dislikes.
Members come and go, others stay for good. But every now and then comes a story, or a profile of a member that pervades the senses.
There was one not too long ago that I stumbled upon quite by chance. I wouldn't mention the name nor the post but what was said in the discussion made me reflect on the privileges I have enjoyed as compared to others who have struggled each day to survive.
I knew that. Poverty exists and people are suffering. We see that everyday in our surroundings and watch it in the daily news.
But there's a different degree of poignancy when the sad circumstance is expressed here in mylot. Not many a member here are in dire need for survival. This one was.
I felt a little bad posting some of my favorite food here. It was like I have become numb to the hunger of others who would not know where to get their next meal.
I apologize. Hoping I could make recompense to those who craved for nourishment.
If it is any consolation, am not exactly a glutton. My elder daughter and I do our best to be austere. Breakfast is the same every morning - an omelet and bread with coffee. A whole loaf of bread lasts us a week. On the day the loaf expires, we toast it into a pan pizza as in the photo above.
Austerity is a way of life. So others may also live.
Here's to a simple but wonderful day. Will be back after my errands.
11 people like this
13 responses
@simplfred (20641)
• Philippines
18 Jun 21
Poverty is going rampant especially nowadays. No matter how many times the government extend its arm to the people in the so called AYUDA it is not enough... Even me, I think I can say I can relate to them because we have the same shoe...
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
That is very true. Everyone needs nourishment every day. Even our Lord Jesus loves to eat with the people.
The times have become worse indeed. The poor comprises everything underneath the iceberg. But the Sermon on the mount rings forever comforting. I know you love poetry. This beatitude is my guiding principle in life. From the Gospel of Matthew.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
1 person likes this
@simplfred (20641)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
@eileenleyva I know lots of poor deserves that because no matter how hard life for them they never do things that is against the will of their conscience for them to earn a fortune... But at the end of the day no one really knows who will or who can travel the stair to heaven because we all have sins... Might be the little sins we know is the biggest among sins...
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
@simplfred The poor's enduring sufferance deserves the mercy for a passage to eternal life in heaven.
Whenever I find my self in an inconvenient situation, I always offer the difficulty for the poor. It's like I am also asking mercy for my misgivings.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Gratefulness has been in the heart. But that gratefulness is diminished when the stomach is full and another sleeps on an empty stomach.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (459645)
• Switzerland
19 Jun 21
@eileenleyva Not all people are the same. Many love to visit the poor Islands and they can sleep well after a good dinner not caring at all how the local live... I cannot, I feel too bad, I cannot stand seeing the locals live in huts when the rich tourists suntan on the beach. No one is trying to help those poor people, it is sickening.
@rsa101 (37969)
• Philippines
21 Jun 21
I respect those that love what they had for lunch dinner or breakfast. But I do understand your point that sometimes it may just be for others not in the same position as you are enjoying the foods you post. But I think it is just our way to share and tell our stories from where you are.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37969)
• Philippines
21 Jun 21
@eileenleyva I understand your point too. Although personally I am not affected if they post foods that are delicious and I am not able to afford to buy them at the moment. There are times that I wish to have them then I work on finding ways to get them.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Jun 21
Food is personal for me because without food, people die. No issue on others posting food discussions. If it gives them joy sharing, why not. Just thinking of others who have nothing to eat.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Jun 21
@rsa101 Exactly. The craving develops and if one can't afford it - sigh!
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Jun 21
Austerity is a way of life. So others may also live.
Well said, I agree 100%!
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
@eileenleyva thanks for posting this. Needed to read and see this.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Jun 21
@allen0187 A pleasure always sharing Francis' story. Our present Pope is a Jesuit but he knew Francis is more relevant today than ever.
Have you watched the entire movie? It's my default watch whenever I feel like trashing out all the cares the world is engrossed with. No merchandise can satisfy the longing for eternal love.
Come and sing my favorite lyrics -
The song of St. Francis from the movie "Brother Sun, Sister Moon"
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Thank you. The conviction was taken from Francis. It's in today's Gospel.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?
Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?"
You have probably seen the movie of the man who most nearly resembled what our Lord wanted. Here, watch again the scene where the Gospel was invoked.
Retrieved from "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" (1972).
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37763)
• Philippines
18 Jun 21
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I post simple foods not fancy ones
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
@averygirl72 I believe I am fabulous in thoughts and deeds. I even tell stories like sharing in the community pantry. Sharing such stories mean we are spreading the good. For that, I am fabulous.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
That makes me the guilty one. I think I posted fancy food in the past.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37763)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
@eileenleyva That's okay to be fabulous in your post
1 person likes this
@CuriousGab (3251)
• India
18 Jun 21
@eileenleyva
Very nice thoughts.We should be grateful for what we have rather than thinking what we lack.
Be happy with what you got.And for things that you lack (which are important) make efforts to gain them.
Be happy with what you got.And for things that you lack (which are important) make efforts to gain them.1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Forever grateful with the humble blessings I have received. Couldn't ask for more.
My turn to share my blessings.
@pumpkinjam (8539)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 21
I am always grateful that I am not 'poor'. Although we are still classed as a 'low income' family, we have been in far worse positions (including, without even realising at the time, being considered below the poverty line). Now we are in a position to help people worse off than ourselves, we always try to do so when we can. We also sometimes live as if we're poor! I think that's why some people seem to think we're rich - because we've always had to be careful so it comes naturally to continue that way. It is nice, though, when we can just go to the shop when we run out of something or pay outright for a new item.
Don't feel bad for posting your favourite foods, though. You know that you are fortunate and understand that other people may not be so fortunate as you. That doesn't mean that you should hide away certain things in case someone is worse off.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Jun 21
A beautiful way of putting things into perspective.
Yes, am also grateful for never ever been 'poor.' Always had roof on my head, clothing on my back, and food on the table. Considered my self blessed all the days of my life. But I have a certain affection for the poor. Likewise, my family was from humble beginnings. My paternal grandparents were ordinary fisher folks and my maternal grandmother a widow with seven children during the second world war. I suppose the status puts them under the marginalized category in society. But they made it through. When relatives paid my grandmother a visit, I remember her being coy because she owned a two-storey house. Her old house received a direct hit by Japanese Tora Tora and left her destitute.
From my grandmother I learned never to waste food. Nor flaunt food in any way. Friends, especially on fb, post food photos unconscientiously. The reason for feeling anxious when I read the mylotter's discussion about having nothing to eat.
I'd still post food discussions when appropriate. Thanks for the understanding and the advice.
Yes, am also grateful for never ever been 'poor.' Always had roof on my head, clothing on my back, and food on the table. Considered my self blessed all the days of my life. But I have a certain affection for the poor. Likewise, my family was from humble beginnings. My paternal grandparents were ordinary fisher folks and my maternal grandmother a widow with seven children during the second world war. I suppose the status puts them under the marginalized category in society. But they made it through. When relatives paid my grandmother a visit, I remember her being coy because she owned a two-storey house. Her old house received a direct hit by Japanese Tora Tora and left her destitute.
From my grandmother I learned never to waste food. Nor flaunt food in any way. Friends, especially on fb, post food photos unconscientiously. The reason for feeling anxious when I read the mylotter's discussion about having nothing to eat.
I'd still post food discussions when appropriate. Thanks for the understanding and the advice.1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
18 Jun 21
I believe in Qanaah, meaning feeling grateful with what we have. I also don't mind when other members post about their lives. How well do they live and how happy they are. We should be grateful and be happy for others as well.
You can post anything you like and I would read it. It's not showing off, it's sharing your happiness. That's how I see things.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Thanks for telling me about Qanaah. I believe that.
Actually, I am genuinely happy for people who succeed in life. A niece posted a video of her oath-taking as a California lawyer. Gosh! I was tremendously happy. That was such a feat!
I see here a mylotter posting a video of her grandchild figure-skating. Wow! That is beautiful.
What am concerned about are the feelings of those who are in dire need when we post something enviable.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58498)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Jun 21
I have learned to take what I read on the internet with a grain of salt. We often don't know the person behind the keyboard, so have no right to judge.
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5193)
• Philippines
18 Jun 21
Mylot is a nice platform really.And members are interacting also which is good
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Nope. I wake up each morning knowing how fortunate I am with a roof on my head and food on the table. I never forget that.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Thank you.
Wrote it from the heart.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
The disparity between the rich and the poor has become so egregious that the plight of the poor cannot be ignored.
You were touched because you have compassion in your heart.
