Earlier this year one of our favourite celebrities, Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin met an untimely and tragic death. There was widespread mourning and I, like many, was surprised and saddened. I loved him; thought he was an inspiration and a great role model. I spoke to people who were absolutely shattered by the passing of the 'wildlife warrior'. People who had never met the man were crying and his death dominated the news in Australia for weeks. We were a nation in shock; one of our favourite sons had 'died before his time'. It wasn't fair.



In the same week I read the following:



"According to UNICEF, over 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death."



Isn't it pathetic that we live in a world which seems to value some lives more because they are prettier, funnier, wealthier, more talented, more influential or more visible. One of our favourite celebrities die, and we fall apart. 30,000 kids die daily and we change the channel because 'those' ads make us uncomfortable. Especially those kids with flies on their face. Tasteless. We don't need to see that.



30,000 kids die and we don't bat an eyelid because we don't know them. They're statistics. They're meaningless numbers in a foreign land. It's not real to us. Imagine if those little black faces were white. I wonder if we'd be more concerned?



Don't misinterpret what I'm saying; I'm not suggesting that the Croc Hunter's death was anything other than tragic...it was.



But what I am saying is that all lives are sacred, and of equal value; no matter who they are, the colour of their skin, or their country of origin.



The three year-old who quietly dies from starvation today in the Sudan (and he will) is just as important as the millionaire, celebrity who kills him or herself with drugs.... or the high-profile philanthropist who gave away millions and died of old age.



In fact, to me, the three year-old is more tragic and significant because he never even had a chance. He couldn't waste his life like so many of us do... because he never had a life to waste.



I often talk about the quality of our life being dependant on the decisions we do and don't make. Well, I've been negligent because I haven't really discussed the fact that so many people (millions) have their destiny decided for them because of the situation they are born into.



For some people, decisions don't really come into it.



About four billion people (over half of the world's population) live on less than $2 per day. That's not you or me.



We're blessed. Let's act like it. Let's complain less and appreciate more.



Let's value all lives. Even the one's we can't see. In the time it took me to write this post, over one thousand children have died as a result of their living conditions.



Imagine if everyone who could do something (anything), did it.



'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing'. Philosopher, Edmund Burke



Are you are good man / woman?



Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is an Australian motivational speaker, qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.He can be heard weekly on Australian Radio SEN 1116 and GOLD FM and appears on Australian television on Network Ten's 9AM.

Helping wrote: "According to UNICEF, over 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death."

Those figures are unfortunately true. Despite intensive charity activities aiming at lowering the number of deaths especially in Africa due to poverty, thousands of children are trying to add one more day to their lifetimes, which is what we cannot perceive at all. The only way to comprehend the severity of this situation is to see how hard they try to find something to eat.

Helping wrote: But what I am saying is that all lives are sacred, and of equal value; no matter who they are, the colour of their skin, or their country of origin.

This is the best thing to be said. We do not have any choice under what conditions we are going to live before we are born. So, what we must really focus on is the fact that we are not among those who are suffering, and do something for them. If we want to help the world become a nicer place, we should help reduce the number of such ailments.

Helping wrote: About four billion people (over half of the world's population) live on less than $2 per day. That's not you or me.

That shows how imbalanced the economic standards living in the New World and 3rd world counties. You cannot buy a hamburger with $2 in the West, but you have to continue your life with it for a day long. That's not acceptable. We, as blessed people, should try to understand what's really going on on the world because we can never guarantee we are not going to be one of those poor people. So, we must consider what we have and be as patient as we can if something distracts us a little!

I was also saddened by the death of Steve Irwin.  I don't think I was suprised by the number of people in general saddened by his demise.  I think many felt this way because he was one of those people who represented those of us who realize that so many lives are lost by poverty, lack of knowledge, or just because they don't have the medical resources available to them because of circumstances beyond their control.  He was a man with a family who spent a lot of time with nature and the preciousness of each new day and each new discovery.  He loved nature and realized that each life is priceless and each new day we are here, we should make the most of it.

Thank you both for sharing your wisdom :)

 

Steve was definitely connected to the brilliance of the divine!

When donating to a charity for help for these children. Make sure all proceeds go to the cause. We donate millions out of our own pocket and maybe 10% actually make it over to help these children. Steve Irwins death was a great tradgedy. He was a man that lived his passions and gave back. He use money he made from his shows to buy more land to give back the animals habitat. Again though Steven you make it goo point. If we dont see the doings then we dont think about all the other atrocities going on in the world. They are just a random commercial !!!! I get frustrated becuase we donate so much money and it doensnt seem to help and what i found was appalling. Only a percentage of what you donate goes to help those hungry children. Before you donate ask question !! How much of this donation will actually make it over there to the kids ?? I dont think its a matter of white black or hispanic. We have hunger going on right here in the USA and scams just the same. Please dont let this discourage you from donating because they need it, just get the most bang for your buck !!

 

Just a Thought  : )