All I want for Christmas

All the day-after Thanksgiving sales have started to be advertised on TV. They make me want to throw up. How people in our society have been convinced to get up at 3am to go to Walmart and buy crap is just beyond me.

Recently, I read Mountains Beyond Mountains the story of what Paul Farmer is doing in Haiti. He and his work are both mind blowing. One thing he says in the book that really stuck with me is, to paraphrase, 'for some to have more, everyone has to have less'. Simple, but the more I thought about it the more profound and true it became. I have this thought a lot when I read about the occupy wallstreet movement. If everyone who makes a lot makes a little less, that money could go to help people - not just handouts, but to educate, train and contribute to society. Most of the 99% could probably even live with less and help those who are living below the poverty line.

From reading I've done over the years in books by people like Muhammad Yunus (BANKER TO THE POOR), Nick Christof (HALF THE SKY) and Greg Mortenson (THREE CUPS OF TEA - Yeah, I know he is controversial right now, but the point of his book is true regardless of how his personal life unfolds), the general consensus seems to be this: the way out of poverty and suffering is to educate girls and train women to become workers and entrepreneurs. When women earn money they put it back into their family, spending on food and education for their children. From these books I've also gleaned that there is suffering and then there is suffering.

It is very tempting to complain about one's life. I know I get easily caught up in it, but the perspective I've gained from these books makes a little voice in my head chime in every time I start to whine about something. It says, "Sarah, stop. Your problems are so small relative to those who have real, life threatening issue to deal with. Shut up and enjoy the lovely life you lead." Or something like that. My suffering, no matter how big it seems to me is nothing compared to what women in many countries experience. They can't feed their families, or give birth safely or have potable water, or avoid gang rape. My feeling bad about not getting to the gym for 10 weeks while I'm teaching retreats to the corners of my mind a bit when I stop and think about a world bigger than just me.

When I see the black Friday ads on television I get a little mad. Why is the almightly dollar king and why are people made to think they need to stand in the freezing cold for that new Playstation, when there are people standing in the freezing cold because they don't have a home?

This year I am considering telling my family I want nothing for Christmas. It was hard enough coming up with birthday wants a few weeks ago. I need nothing and there isn't much I want either. What I would love though, is to know a woman in Rwanda could have adequate prenatal care and give birth safely. That a girl in Afghanistan could go to school and learn to read and write. That a family in Honduras had chickens to give them eggs to eat and sell.

Would anyone else go for this? I'm curious to know if others would give up their pile of Christmas presents so other total strangers could eat and drink and live life a little more safely.

If you would, here are some great organizations to consider:

Heifer International
Partners in Health
Million Moms Challenge
Room to Read