The crush of living life's derailments

There are those who are rich in this present world; but they should not put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain. They should be instead rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share.

"Contentment is natural wealth; luxury, artificial poverty," Socrates once said. Personally, I have never witnessed contentment firsthand.

This government has deserted me after I took care of my husband, one of our heroes who came back from Vietnam disabled. Because he did not die from the Agent Orange poisoning (so they say) the VA was paying him 100 percent disability on, I am refused my widow's benefits. He died in his sleep from heart failure. My lifestyle adjustments became very challenging with no money. My husband's life resembled little success after the Army because around the clock he experienced pain, sickness and suffering.

If "contentment is natural wealth," how rich are your readers as individuals, a couple and as a family? How does "poverty" and "contentment" combine to make life rich?

Happiness, for instance, is usually rooted in circumstances that bring positive feelings. Negative feelings will not be absent from the lives of us who have lost jobs, homes and hope for this nation. I am not ashamed to testify that I am among those who have experienced these circumstances. How does society maximize one's usefulness when there are few jobs? People today are struggling with the mundaneness of everyday life. Happiness seems to be put on hold, but for how long?

Negative preoccupations of the economic struggle of our citizens limit how to incorporate personal pleasure. Some buckle under the strain and pain of day-to-day life when living in challenging times with little hope to lighten those burdens. To some, life is a terrifying mountain. It's hard to face our own and other's brokenness from struggles and losses.

Unfortunately, the people who have a heart to give, the problem is that for most couples there simply isn't much money left over; and they feel frustrated and guilty that they aren't able to give more. How satisfied are your readers with their present level of charitable giving? Why is it that a sense of giving (by those who can afford it) is so difficult to keep foremost in their minds?

My usefulness today is not contingent on my education, my family or my possessions. My usefulness is dependent on my willingness to be used for good in whatever surroundings I find myself in.

In this dormant or idle uncertain economy of ours, most of us are living in crisis mode; life becomes a cry for help. A kinder nation for our own citizens would be a good start. To freely give from the heart breaks the power of money. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." We must take this famous exhortation and apply it to our checkbooks. Help others get out of the "dungeon of doom."

All of us need a positive voice of hope. Why don't we extend to each other a large dose? You can be the threshold to a new dimension of growth. We can choose to remember those less fortunate. Don't go out of your way to not confront true poverty, the absolute deprivation facing so many of our citizens.

Some people's unmet needs, such as adequate nutrition or medical care, are things we take for granted. Earlier generations called it "count your blessings." It's much easier after seeing another's poverty.

Bonnie J. Dusage

Brooksville