There, but for the grace of God goeth I.
[QUOTEEver see the Real Housewives of Orange County?
][/QUOTE]
No, but I'm pretty picky about what I put in my head.
I'm assuming they are millionaires? So - what about people who make $100,000 a year - are they so rich that they are narcissistic, materialistic whores? What about those who make $150,000? What about $200,000? You get my point - just how rich does someone have to be in order to be judged a materialistic whore deserving of your hate?
I am really not that far away from being a mentally-ill hobo. I'm on social assistance, I'm broke, unemployed, single, and have no car. I met some poor sods down at the community outreach centre last night and consider myself one of them. We had a little church service and then some dinner. Very rewarding spiritually.
Whenever I do volunteer work with the homeless or at the women's shelter, I consider myself "one of them" as well. That's because they are human and so am I. But I am sure they consider me to be very wealthy.
It's all a matter of perspective. I went to a Christmas party last year at one of the most opulent mansions I've ever been in. I literally couldn't believe the sheer wealth of this family. And compared to them, I am definitely small potatoes.
Why was I even there? Well, because the owners serve on the same board as I do with a local community outreach program, and the party was for the board members. This particular family pours hundreds of thousands of dollars into community outreach programs every year - most directed at children from low income families. They are wealthy, yes - amazingly so, really. In fact, I think what amazed me about their house is that in all my interactions with them, I had no idea of their level of personal wealth, because they are so down to earth. Hard workers, jeans and t-shirt sort of folks.
Interesting.