It’s All in Your Head

We know the money is “out there”, as well as the land, and the structures…so, what’s stopping us from fixing the housing shortage problem?

“The mental world can be grounded in the physical world by the concepts of information, computation, and feedback.” – Steven Pinker, from “The Blank Slate”, 2002

As a civilized society, it’s difficult to accept the reality and responsibility of homelessness. Extreme poverty goes against every moral and ethical fiber in our DNA, yet is extremely inconvenient to a commodity-based consumer culture. Our system, through the channels of media, government and finance, requires an elevation of our comfort level, or at the minimum, the illusion of such. You certainly wouldn’t be encouraged or expected to spend money to increase your discomfort. Yet pain and discomfort can also be powerful motivators.

We must find a way to turn the discomfort of homelessness, into a warm and fuzzy comfort felt by those who have the ways and means to solve the problem. Fixing the problem could now become an addictive adrenalin rush, and a nearly insatiable lust for what makes us feel good. The energies used in satisfying our own needs for comfort and security can be harnessed to also improve the comfort and security of those less fortunate.

“An infinite range of behavior can be generated by finite combinatorial(sic)programs in the mind.”- Pinker

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…the golden rule. Golden, because it not only satisfies the lusts and greed of human nature, but cures the ailments of your neighbor. When “the me first” philosophy begets the automatic “and them, too”.

So, fix it, already! You have every reason to believe that the process of eliminating homelessness will make you richer, happier, and far more comfortable.

The Trust for Public Land NH

Camping

Portable People

Marijuana Farming for the Homeless

Before you roll your eyes, we’ve got to start thinking outside the box, to create the revenue and community support needed to house those without a roof.

I’ve often promoted the idea of a federal megabucks lottery. Every week a million dollar winner, the rest going towards a just healthcare system, and affordable housing. Those that would rather gamble their money than put it to good use, may now do both. Casinos may also provide a source of revenue to help alleviate poverty issues. Of course, we’d have to do a better job than we did with state lottery money meant to build on and enhance public education.

The revenue that could be tapped from sales and taxes on marijuana grown could alleviate the affordable housing issue overnight, relatively speaking. We take an acre or two of state or city land to be used as a prototype for future growers, who will supply the legal dispensaries of medical marijuana with their product. This project could be done with support from UNH Agricultural Dept, and provide the city with a valuable template for future growers, as well as test the chains of distribution for medical marijuana. The city would become the state’s first grower, and from the sale of the product, provide financial resources to alleviate housing shortages. Workers could be enlisted from the homeless population, with either cash or housing accommodations as payment. A bunkhouse/shelter could be built on the same property, with showers and laundry, and solar-paneled roofs, with help from grants.

I’m thinking back to the all day sun received on the city owned property adjacent to the Friendly Kitchen, and what a convenient spot that might be. Maybe further outside town, with shuttles for workers. Concord could become known as the model city who solved the housing for homeless issue, and implemented fast-track prototypes for dealing with the legalizing marijuana issue, medical or otherwise, all in one stroke.

Outside the box, down on the farm.

Legalized

RIP Hardy Macias

Home Grown

Earth Redux – System Down

“War on Urantia will never end so long as nations cling to the illusive notions of unlimited national sovereignty. There are only two levels of relative sovereignty on an inhabited world: the spiritual free will of the individual mortal and the collective sovereignty of mankind as a whole. Between the level of the individual human being and the level of the total of mankind, all groupings and associations are relative, transitory, and of value only in so far as they enhance the welfare, well-being, and progress of the individual and the planetary grand total — man and mankind.” – The Urantia Book (p.1487.9 ch.134:5.2)

When I read about the $23 million raised in a week for the 100+ victims of the Boston bombings, my feelings were conflicted. Certainly, the victims deserve the means to recover, if that’s even possible. We’re horrified, as a nation, when death and destruction come into our backyard. Yet we as citizens appear to be tolerating the $2 billion a week spent in Afghanistan and Iraq reaping resources and wreaking havoc. In their backyard.

When I think of what $23 million could mean to the homeless communities across the state, or what $2 billion a week could mean to ending homelessness in this country, my head wants to explode. Is the money that much easier found for “terror attack” relief, than for “failing infrastructure” repair? Couldn’t $100 billion dollars a year alleviate the affordable housing shortage, as well as provide mortgage relief for current homeowners? Where are our priorities, and why?

A recent city hall memo recognizes the system dysfunction that creates many new residents to the homeless community. Outcasts from financially failed state hospitals and overcrowded prison systems are left by the side of the street like so many stray cats.

These problems of war, poverty and homelessness cannot be repaired with money alone, even if it were available. A mindset needs adjusting. We are citizens of a town, in a state, in a country on a planet, in a solar system, in a universe among millions. We must work to respect human life everywhere, or perish. In our communities, we can make the money and time available to shelter, feed and shower the needy, despite their societal shortcomings. In our nation, we can become more aware of our global outreach, and seek to end war, and extend our compassion across the earth.

Let’s begin here in Concord with a simple concrete shower and laundry facility for the homeless, as part of an expanded resource center. Certainly the expense won’t exceed the low five figures. And the number of lives it could change is in-estimable.

A Deepening Crisis

Mysterium Tremendum

Payday arrived once again. And out it goes, just as quickly. A missing payday away from homelessness.

Without regard, however, I was feeling flush with cash. Wandered into the LLBeano outlet, and quickly discovered it catered to those living far above my means. I instead opted for a couple of cold brews at a local food-teria, my first in a few moons, a reward of sorts. Ordered an appetizer combo, met with a former homeless friend (now also employed and housed), and discussed our lessons learned over the past one hundred and twenty days, and our present anxiety of forgetting those lessons too soon. Now that we were “transitioning” and “comfortable”. The dulling of one’s senses, the lull of contentment, the routine of maintaining, or adding to, that comfort. Little challenge, or adventure. And I found myself momentarily yearning to suffer again.

Whaatt??!!

There is a moment by moment urgency experienced in homelessness. Mostly involving thought processes not normally accessed in the consumer-driven culture we share. Homeless, upon waking choose the appropriate layers of clothing to wear for the day, in walk mode. Enough pockets? Everything else you own stays behind until evening, if without a car. After breakfast at The Kitchen, what appointments need to be set, or met? Do I have cash for the day, and if not, how? Do I appear homeless to that stranger approaching? Could she/he be my next employer, or landlord? Not many that can hold out for that hope, and not that many cigarettes left. How can I, or do I need to, carry this around all day? Shit, missed my shower at the Y. Must fill the time between now, and shelter check-in tonight. Will I sleep? Stay busy, or drunk, anxious and depressed.

When we’re housed and employed the TV is turned on, the movies and popcorn, the video games played… we are instructed on how or what to feel, and what plan of action best suits society. Facebook and social networking apps keep us connected, but pre-occupied with our peers, and the standards they set. The newspaper steers our thought process, the radio quiets the buzz and hum of everyday life. Get more comfortable, have more fun, make more money.

And we are not stilled. This disquieting distraction that somehow, we just missed something. Fleeting moments, as we go about our daily work, that cannot be expressed with anecdotes….a tremendous mystery. Conscience. Instinct. Gut Feeling. Our bodies crave a sensible balance of nutrition and exercise. Our spirits seek a challenge to ascend, and the daily patterns of our lives should yield more than a weekly paycheck. This is the natural order, this introspection and directed energy available between all living things, of which we’re advised to deny. A bit of suffering re-activates our qis*.

Today is my one day off. I’ll play some music, and look forward to a meeting with The Hurricane later in the day. The sun is peeking out. There’ll be a walk to the park, expediting some laundry, grabbing some lunch, stopping by the store on the way home. No suffering expected, but ever mindful of that which I do not need, and that which they do not have.

That’s Another Story

*Simply, energy flow. I was taught this word in a game of online Scrabble by my fifth grade school crush from another era.

Playing for Change

“Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.”