[blockquote source=”His Holiness the Dalai Lama”]”In our present circumstances, none of us can afford to assume that somebody else will solve our problems; each of us must take his or her own share of universal responsibility. With constant, determined application, we can accomplish even the most difficult objectives.”[/blockquote]

I watched a young woman buying a double latte at the local coffee shop.

“$5.23,” chirped the barista from behind the counter.

Ironically, I had heard that number before – in a presentation regarding our nation’s children. Who, on any give day of this year, are going to bed with bellies aching of hunger.

$5.23 is roughly the amount allocated for one child a week; the cost of ensuring they at least have one hot meal per day.

Think about that, if you will. Imagine trying to sustain your family on that which you’re holding in your hand.

Would you struggle to make ends meet? Or, could you provide for your little one’s welfare?

I looked up for only just a moment, and long enough to watch the very same woman tossing her half-finished coffee away.

Sometimes life presents us with these images, intended to impose the truth in our day.

As one of the richest countries in this world, we are spending billions of dollars per day to sustain large-scale government operations. And yet, when President Obama approached Congress to negotiate an increase in that which was allocated to the lunch programs in our schools – he was given substantially less than was realistically needed.

[blockquote source=” Michael Shank”]”One wonders why President Barack Obama couldn’t get the $10 billion over ten years that he wanted to improve childhood nutrition in schools. (Contrast this with the $10 billion we spend monthly on our military in Afghanistan.) In fact, Obama was only able to get $4.5 billion allocated—improving by .06 cents what we spend on children’s lunches—and much of that was paid for by siphoning money from the food stamp program.”[/blockquote]

The irony is absolutely frightening.

sigh.

I’m not at all advocating a reduction in military funding, or wide-spread changes to our political scene…rather, I’m asking that we all take a much-needed look into our system of compassion, that we simply not wait for ‘someone else’ to get it together.

Someone asked me recently what my words of advice might be for this generation.

Simple – get involved.

Don’t just sit back and watch the fabric of humanity disintegrate.

The time is now – and the only question, what can we do today?

People are starving. Little ones are dying from lack of basic medical care. Meanwhile, this ‘chasm’ between social classes grows infinitely wider and wider.

And, that’s just a hint born from the limitations of our immediate ‘view.’ But, if you were take a step back to see a much greater view of this earth – the problem is even that much more frightening.

In this time where the world produces ample enough food, more than 1 1/2 times enough to feed every living soul on this planet – still, we suffer this sadness of poverty.

My darlings, we need to close this gap.

We need to feed our hungry.

We need to provide care for those who are very much in need.

My dears, when we are able to spend more on our daily ingest of gourmet coffee treats than that which we share with others – it is time, for a much needed change.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama so eloquently stated, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

So, my dears – if I may, I ask this most simple question, that is…

What can we do on this day to ensure humanity’s survival?