Lately, I've had repetitive thoughts or recollections about undercover documentaries. You know, the ones where someone will loosen a wire under the hood of a car to cause a minor malfunction, take it to a garage and secretly tape the mechanics screwing them over by telling them that something major has to be replaced; crooked televangelists bilking the truly afflicted believers out of thousands of dollars in the name of Jesus in order to suppor their ministry-paid, tax-free, palatial living/lifestyles; or once long time friends ratting each other out to avoid having to pay a price for a horrible mistake ior worse, intentional crime.
I can't imagine the embarrassment of the people who do others wrong and then see their faces splashed across the television screen and the front pages of popular newspapers. I might be wrong. They might not be embarrassed. I tend to think that someone who is crooked like that doesn't have much of a conscience and likely isn't embarrassed at all. While the documentary is running, although they might have eeked out a small, less than sincere apology, they may already be trying to come up with a new way to scam people.
It's hard living in this kind of a world. You know... I'm rather naïve. I like to believe that everyone is good on some level and that, if I'm a good person, nobody will want to try to scam me or pull the wool over my eyes. After all, it can't always be all about money, right?
Then, a few years ago.. two incidents happened that sent me reeling. On once occasion, I sent a cheque to a well-known Christian ministry. It's one that I had supported for many years. Every now and again, an offer would come up where we could send a donation of any amount to receive a teaching from the ministry. I was going through hard financial times and I called the ministry to make a small donation because I felt like I really 'needed' the message that was being offered. The person I spoke to on the telephone was very kind to me. He rambled off a list of items that I could receive for a donation of any amount. I picked a few of them, told him the amount of my donation and all was well.. or so I thought. A few weeks after making my request and donation to the ministry, I received a letter in the mail stating that said ministry would not be able to send me the items I had requested as the amount of my donation was TOO SMALL. I couldn't believe it.
I mean... this is a CHRISTIAN ministry. I was a faithful partner who had given for many years and had just fallen on hard times. This particular ministry, I might add, is very well off. Their 'compound' contains many mansions, a private jet, etc. etc.... all things I'm sure God knows we all NEED.
I guess there's no need to tell you that that incident ended my partnership with that ministry and they will never receive another penny from me.
The next incident happened not that very long ago. Two years, ago, I had signed a form donating $10.00 a month to a humanitarian organization. I know $10.00 isn't a lot but I haven't worked in over a year and I've still kept paying that donation even though I've seen weeks where I haven't had enough food to feed myself and/or my son.
Anyways... about a month ago, I received a phone call from this organization thanking me for my donation for these past few years but would I mind giving them a bit more?... wow.... speechless.. yet again. Another number to add to my no call list.
Obviously, and thankfully, the blinders are being lifted from my eyes. I know that I've been taken for more than a ride or two in my lifetime. I know it isn't all about kindness and helping your fellow man. It's more about the depth of the pocketbook and its ability to hold money. Our values have become totally screwed up and we are being led by the lust of money and popularity.
Everywhere you go, people are downcast. There is practically no eye contact or pointless conversation with a stranger in the lineup at the check-out at the grocery store. We are impatient, angry and in a hurry... and quite frankly, unable to trust even our own shadow. Our worth is based on how many zeros follow the dollar amount on our paycheques.
I wonder if life would be a bit different... if we were to imagine that everywhere we went, we were being watched by a hidden camera. People all over the world would see our faces, hear our words, and follow our gestures. Would that make a difference? Would be try to be a little kinder? Yield the way to someone else? Lend a helping hand? Hold the door open for someone else instead of trying to mow over top of them because they aren't walking fast enough? Let someone with less items in their cart pass in front of us at the check-out counter? Would we smile more? Laugh more? Lie less? Would we be more giving? Less selfish? More compassionate?
I wonder.
Just my two cents.
~~ Peace, LOVE, and Happiness ~~
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