If it is to be, it is up to me

Yesterday I wrote about vulnerability.  What I talked about I did so in a general sense.  Today I am mentioning what I have seen.
As most know we run a market a few times a month in which items are sold at incredibly reasonable prices.  All proceeds go to our food pantry.  The comment that speaks loudest to me was from someone who purchased a tent and said, “now I won’t have to sleep in my car.”
That to me sums up what I am seeing.  Up to, and including the lower middle class is experiencing vulnerability like never before.  Prices of electricity, food, renting and houses have gone through the roof, and what I am seeing is a class of people that cannot now keep up with the increases.  I am seeing cars which suggest affluence parked in the car park and occupants availing themselves of affordable food pantry items.
I personally feel I will see and am seeing, a creeping acknowledgement of vulnerability.  It is said the rich will get richer and the poor poorer.  I cannot dispute that, as it is what I am seeing.
To me all vulnerable need a voice.  Often, they cannot speak for themselves, or if they do their voices are drowned out by uncaring affluent who it seems look out for themselves at the cost of all others.
Fortunately that is not all I see and many are coming to the aid of others.  Unfortunately there is something called “compassion fatigue” which is becoming more and more real as the sheer volume of need overwhelms.
This is where I believe my role matters.  No matter the state of play, I do believe I can exhibit care.  Not an unthinking care but a strategic care.  Helping in a way that maximizes good for others.
I personally know I cannot solve everyone’s problems, but I can care about what is in front of me.  My way of operating is to treat others the way I would want to be treated.  Often it is easier said than done, but often too it is done.  I know I need help to achieve any good and lasting thing.  Yet that is what I aspire to.
There will always be needs and I will do what I can.  To me people matter more than things and I derive the greatest satisfaction by improving the lot of others.  After all what goes around comes around.  It is not my motivation but I have found when I am there for others in their time of need, they tend to be there for me too.