Something I find fascinating are encounters like the other day, I was panicking as we were coming up on deadline for our motel room dues, and was desperate enough that I messaged a work friend to ask them for help.
They apologized profusely because they were also struggling and dealing with multiple unexpected financial challenges. They felt ashamed they couldn't help.
Ashamed they couldn't help.
As if we were in any better shape to help *them* if the situation were reversed.
I understand how they felt, I've felt it myself. But why do we do this to ourselves? How does shame change the fact that both parties to the discussion are broke af? Shame isn't going to pay bills for either of us.
We have people in this world who've amassed obscene -- seriously, just utterly deranged -- fortunes, yet are still soullessly grasping for more and willing to both figuratively and *literally* burn the entire world down before paying a penny to any paupers.
I wonder if maybe, just maybe, perhaps our society is shaming the wrong fucking people.
Folks.. let's stop feeling ashamed if we're asked to help and cannot do so. If you can't help monetarily, help with boosts to spread the word.
If you can't help with either of those, or you're already borrowing against tomorrow's spoons, or really whatever reason, try if possible to think of anything that you *can* do.
If the answer to even that is no, well.. it doesn't matter. We're trying our best to survive what seems to be rapidly transforming into the apocalypse. Even if it's for the most selfish damned reason you can think of, remember this:
You're not a repugnant, heartless ghoul hoarding half a trillion dollars.
You have nothing to be ashamed of.
#Solidarity #MutualAid #Kindness