What if you’re right about that?
For as long as I can remember, older folks like I am now talked about people who acted like the world owed them something. They’d walk around with a “chip on their shoulder.” I’m starting to feel they were right about that. I owed those poor folks more than my judgement.
Making a list..
It is very easy to make a list of all that is taken and all that is given back or earned and get upset about that. In fact, it only comes out wonderfully if you have a lot of money. Most people in the world don’t.
We’re told if we do all this stuff, we won’t have to worry about money. That’s great for the folks that need us to do stuff. Not so much for us in music or a ton of other professions who get paid in beans.
In my line of work,
One of the hardest things about being a music contractor is pricing and negotiation. I can tell you for certain, most folks requiring services either don’t have money, or do not like parting with it. It’s not easy to be a “successful” music contractor because even after negotiating and work is done, there’s no guarantee you will get paid. Was into masonry when I was a kid, experienced the same thing there too. Would negotiate every day on prices already negotiated on. Infuriating.
Money takes practice most folks don’t have. (And it’s not even their fault.)
There are skills involved with money. Folks who have a lot of money have had more practice with it. They might even know what money is, have other investments they’re thinking about, pay invoices monthly then snail mail, or they could just be playing. They aren’t thinking about your dinner like you are. It gives them an advantage in negotiating. We have to remember that.
And I still suck at money!
Being a bipolar and growing up fairly poor before that, then being homeless a few times before landing a mortgage, gave me a perspective that makes the money part a little easier for a few poor folks. I also have retail experience that helps too. But I was not born this way. If it wasn’t for my experiences, I’d think there’s something wrong with me for being poor. There’s folks out there who count on me thinking that. —-That’s all part of dealing with money. It wasn’t a class in school. Also, I still stink at it.
Careful, privilege is showing!
Business owners think poor folks waste money so they make gadgets, games, kitchen tools, just about anything you can imagine to get them to spend their cash. Then, the same rich folks get on TV saying they wouldn’t be rich if they spent money on those gadgets they invested in for poor folks. Happens all the time. I even heard a rich dude complaining about a poor person “needing” a refrigerator.
About cell phones and internet..
I’ve heard poor folks don’t need cell phones or internet. If you believe that, you’re living in a fantasy land magically not surrounded by poor people. Cell phones and internet are not “optional” for most people. The only folks who make those things seem optional have a lot of money.
Let’s look at some numbers.
I like this site. Pretty much straight numbers, give it to me raw.
What it tells me is most folks know someone living in poverty. They might have even told them they don’t need a phone or fridge. Most folks know an alcoholic, a mental patient, a black person, a woman, a disabled person, a person who has a sexuality that intrigues or mystifies them. Poverty is similar or more in numbers depending on where you’re at. Look for it.
Observing the world changes the world.
Blissful folks go their whole day and don’t notice the poor folks everywhere. Don’t be like that. When you do that, you are merely hunting for support of your views. Try snagging a realistic picture of your surroundings sometime. Let it feed your world view. You might be surprised. I was.
Then help ‘em. You can even make that a “direction.” Nobody can say anything but “good job.”
A suggestion for the homeless or those facing homelessness, (if you don’t already know).
I was homeless a couple of times. If you are facing homelessness, please know about the library and truck-stops. The library had A/C and comfy chairs. I loved reading all day, cozy and safe. The truck-stops had showers. Truckers who wore uniforms or didn’t have a sleeper cab often gave me their shower tickets. They showered at home. Sometimes, they’d get me a corn dog. I ended up being a trucker later in life, big reason. Bought a lot of corn dogs. I always loved visiting. Good luck. 🍀
Email if you ever need to visit: [email protected]
Return home.
An ominous song if you want.
I dread the future, at least what I am able to make of it from my limited perspective. This song doesn’t take that away from me, but it does help me feel better. I needed it for myself, I guess. If you want, you can have it too. Enjoy.