Oh Drat.

So it's been a challenging week. I started a new job last Tuesday that I never really thought I could do because it's definitely canvassing and least of all actually enjoy doing. I love being outside all day in Seattle, talking to random people, the freedom to be goofy, and supporting a great cause. The problem I am facing is becoming frustrated and discouraged too easily.

People can be extremely jaded, rude, cynical, and selfish. When I'm seen on the street corner they think I'm homeless looking for a handout, I'm selling something, or handing out a petition. The lengths people go to avoiding me are RIDICULOUS! I've watched as people just having a good day, kinda moseying along see me standing on the corner holding my binder and sporting my charity gear, they walk as fast as they can around me. I would probably sustain multiple injuries from people would running into my outstretched hand because they so fervently avoid eye contact if it weren't for me quickly withdrawing it. A group of people that look really kind go to shake my hand and then suddenly that one person in the front of the line, "DON'T YOU DARE SHAKE HER HAND!!"  Yesterday, I approached a girl for a handshake and she wanted to avoid it so badly that she walked into the wall... Seriously? They don't realize the need for the job that I do. For every form I fill out, a kid is attached to it; usually a fairly young one at that. I ramble out statistics regarding children in our world and why there is such a need for sponsors to take care of these little ones, but it goes unheard. All people hear is, "I want $25 out of your account every month."  What I wish they would think is, "What can I do to help a kid who can't help them self get what they need?"

I hate money. I wish I didn't need it to survive, in fact I'm absolutely sure that I COULD go without it because I've gone without for so long. The only problem with not having money is people get tired of helping you out after a while. It's what ever, right? One argument that I hear every day is, "I don't agree with Children International because we need to worry about the kids in our country first." First of all... A kid in need is a kid in need... It doesn't matter where the kid is from. Yes... That is a legitimate concern... but if you are SO concerned about kids in this country, why the HELL aren't you doing anything about it? 25 frikin MILLION kids living below the poverty line in the united states??  Totally unacceptable to me. You look at me like I'm garbage and act self righteous when at least I am doing something. What do you do? You shop at Nordstrom, Macy's, The Gap, The Limited, and other posh stores, yet you can't afford $25 to help a kid that needs it?  You'd rather not see outside yourself outside of 2 minutes of your "BUSY DAY" of shopping to fill out a form that could potentially be saving a life. And if you listen for a second to what I have to say, you would find out that kids in the USA are in need of Sponsors too! Agh. And really, it's not the $25 people are concerned about... It's the convenience of spending 2 minutes not doing something for "self."

So, anyway... Frustrated and discouraged because I've only had 3 sign ups. It should not be this hard to find people to help a kid out. Seriously... If you ever have considered sponsoring a kid, DO IT! Don't dance around the subject, just do it.