Did you know that there are 1.2 billion people around the world live below the poverty line? What’s the poverty line you ask? Imagine living on nothing more than $1.50 a day. That’s it. That means when you go to the grocery store for your weeks’ worth of groceries you are only allowed to spend $10.50. That is just what thousands of people across the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Colombia are doing. They’ve dedicated five days to living on $1.50 a day while also raising money for a charity of their choosing. Living as someone who shops and cooks for herself, I realize the true commitment this would take. I spend roughly $30 a week on groceries, not to mention a the occasional happy hour 😉
Unfortunately, I found out about the cause too late to join but I still wanted to be a part of this brilliant journey that was taking place. If for no other reason than to feel for myself what a billion of my fellow people feel everyday of their lives. So I embarked, I went to the store and spent $6 on ramen, a box of cereal. I have to be honest; I had apples in the house that I added to my meal plan but even then I couldn’t believe how little the food was. I tried to stick to a getting as many nutrients as possible (a luxury so many people don’t have). I was irritated, upset, and found myself asking why I was even doing such a thing. The moment that feeling came it was followed by an even bigger feeling: shame. I couldn’t believe my thoughts and behavior. Here I am complaining about having so little to eat for 4 days when there are those around the world happy to have at least that much to put in their bellies on a given day.
As the days continued that thought was in the forefront of my mind. Every time my stomach would growl I would think about the fact that this was only a temporary feeling for me and would fight through it. I started to look forward to the feel because it reminded me of all that I am lucky to have. Unfortunately, I can’t save the world from poverty but I can definitely do my part in helping the few that I can and paying attention and appreciating all that I have.
If you’re interested in helping the cause visit: https://www.livebelowtheline.com/ let’s all play a part and better the world.
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Xo, B