With recession comes great things, if we open our hearts and minds. Everyday people in our nation hold a gift for us waiting to be seen, instead we turn our heads. Now, Haiti has given our nation the same gift, but will we see it this time?
Let me ask you, is it more appealing to watch one that is physically attractive or the man in the suit who drives a BMW fail than one who is less attractive, rides the bus or chooses to wear blue jeans and a t-shirt everyday?
I wish there were a news channel made up of "everyday people". You know, those we like to call the "blue collar workers". A smiling steel worker, reporting on the side for extra money, sitting on a stoup with a man who just lost his home; a woman who volunteers at a local soup kitchen happily reporting how the numbers were down today; an interview of a deceivingly sharp looking business woman who actually rides the bus to work from the ghetto and makes $7.25 an hour cooking $25 a plate meals and goes home and cries every night because she still can't come up with enough money for the electric bill. News of the small farming community that had a parade at midnight due to flight delays for troops arriving home so they knew they were appreciated. These are the everyday people of our nation. They come in all sizes, shapes and beauty just like Corporate America. Some are educated, some not. There is crime and corruption in their world, too. Get the picture? It just doesn't sound as exciting does it?
Instead we find ourselves turning on the news to watch how Corporate America is broke. I'm talking about Wall Street, large cap private financial gurus and the overpaid people of our nation. Stories of those losing their homes; being laid off from $125 thousand dollar a year jobs; selling second and third homes and finally tapping in to their 401k's and IRA's to simply make ends meet. Their bank accounts have dwindled in to the thousands. No doubt that their world has been rocked. On their way to work, they grab their cappuccino; stop at the dry cleaners; on to the day care to drop off little Billy and Susie; have lunch with their colleagues; then stop at the take and bake on the way home to grab pizza for dinner and back out the door for drinks at the open house around the corner. A life of luxuries and envy that every man and woman have thought about at least once in their lives; or not. But as the market crashed, their lives entered into a tailspin; not knowing how to face what lies ahead. They have relied on the rest of America to care for their every need and now cannot do for themselves. Their lessons are right in front of them if they could only see beyond the veil.
These corporate gurus are being served by "everyday people"; everyday. You see, everyday people start their day the night before. They lie awake til three in the morning thinking about what the new day will bring. They track the calendar in their mind wondering if they forgot to pay that bill on the fifteenth; or was it the tenth? As they start the new day, they dig around the house for loose change so they have the exact amount for the bus or their kids lunch money. If they have time and the luxury of a computer at home, they rush to check their bank account before they leave to see if they need to make a deposit before two o'clock rolls around. They arrive at work on time to be greeted by demanding customers who don't even know their name. No matter how nice they look, how determined they are, they continue to struggle, but they manage. The cliche' "it takes money to make money" rings loud in their minds. If only someone would recognize their talent and pull them from the wreckage. When the lay offs come, they go in to overdrive in an effort to keep what little they have; taking second jobs and even moving in with family members to save wherever they can. At the end of the day, some return to their modest homes with only the bare necessities to make a good meal for the night. If there were a window to their soul, you would see that there lies character and gratitude behind their blank stare as their children greet them at the door and make it all worth while. Their core values of love, family and doing whatever it takes pull them through the worst of times.
There are various definitions of hardship just as there is a significant difference between the daily lives of those working in Corporate America and everyday people; the service industry of America. Some may have a couple thousand in the bank and say they are broke while others are truly living in the negative day after day. The news reports that times are getting better and unemployment is decreasing, but some towns across America are still seeing unemployment rates of ten and twelve percent. These differences in lifestyles should no longer seem to be important as they enter the unemployment lines from both sides, yet sadly they will never become one. The corporate world hasn't hit rock bottom yet. They have not yet experienced what true hardship really means. While the "everyday people" of this country struggle daily to make ends meets, they are survivors. They live in survival mode each day of their lives. They may lack the knowledge or resources to rise up, but they are rich with character and gratitude; with a love and commitment to God and family like no other; they believe in helping others no matter the cost because it is the right thing to do, they believe in sharing and pooling their resources to make things happen. Times like this are not the place for thinking only of ones self.
The disaster in Haiti, as sad it has been, has many lessons waiting to be learned as well. There is no longer a hierarchy of sorts, all have become one; equal. Oh, there is still government in place although it has taken back seat to the crisis at hand. Together they unite to sing songs of praise never questioning God, their purpose in life, or mourning for their possessions that are now lost; grateful to be alive. They quickly pull together as one; with a common goal of rising up from the rubble. Material things do not matter. Their loved ones are gone forever. Disease walks the streets and death surrounds them still. The rains will soon come. Despite everything they have lost, they quickly create organization with what remains; immediately grabbing whatever food, water and shelter they can find; helping their neighbors; creating a leader for each block to be responsible for whatever was needed in their self-created communities; and still, they smile. Their graceful character and gratitude speaks volumes.
America will always remain a diversified country, no doubt. Just as the everyday people of our nation, Haiti has given the world a gift if we would only open our hearts and minds and see it this time. Whether it is the result of poor financial decisions, being taken advantage of, greed, generational welfare, you name it, pulling together in these difficult times is what America needs. There are wonderful lessons to be learned when one is truly down on their luck. It builds beautiful people just as we have seen in Haiti. While everyday people in America may not receive the recognition they deserve for their services, they are the force that keeps our nation strong. They are some of the most beautiful and richest in character of all our nation. Appreciate them; learn from them; ask them what their name is; listen.
