Receiving Social And Financial Help

Many of us believe in the idea that no one in this world stands truly alone, is an island, so to speak. This isn't an implication that there are not points in one's life when she or he is left alone to face a social or financial problem, but simply saying that everyone in the world is interconnected in some way or another. In this social, political and financial worldview, finding help is a matter of where you look for it and what you are willing to let go of in regards to personal social constructs.

According to the social philosopher Marx, there are two distinctions of poor in the world: absolute and relative. The absolute poor are those who may not have the financial means to acquire even the basic necessities of life, such as food. The relative poor are those who do not have the financial means to acquire the things that much of the rest of society has, such as cars or entertainment devices. This knowledge may make it easier to accept financial help when it is offered to us, as we are a little more aware that there are people in the world in such poverty that our own lack of means to keep up with the latest fashion trend need not necessarily been seen as a source of suffering.

All of us could use help from time to time, whether it is in a financial form, such as a loan or gift of cash, or in a social form, such as the offering of a free place to stay or even a ride to work. Financial help can often be seen as the most impersonal, as one can find financial help from total strangers, as in a loan from a bank or financial institution. Yet this type of help can be quite difficult for some people to accept.

There is no reason to feel this way, as all of us are in different places in life, and all of us could use help from time to time, whether that help comes from directly connected loved ones, or the less personal help from a financial or social organization. The next time you are in need, do not make your situation worse through defining you life through where others are in their lives. Look for the help that you need, and accept it with the knowledge that the help you receive now can always be returned to someone else later on.

Contributing National Payday Staff Writer

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