Eight by 8:00: freedom of choice

By 8:00 this morning, I had the opportunity to make eight simple decisions. Each one communicates an access to wealth - deflecting poverty away from my reality, however poor I feel. For the 330 men and women who slept in our emergency shelter last night, they represent a wealth beyond reach, for affluence in many ways is best understood by the quantity of choices one gets to make. For me, by the time I left home, I decided when to wake up, which washroom to use, what to wear and what to eat. Then, I had the chance to decide which format to receive the day’s news, which technology to use to check and respond to emails, which car to drive and what form today’s lunch hour workout would take. By 8:00 am, I had lived a life of abundance - one decision at a time.

For many of our homeless neighbours, their mornings are devoid of choice. They awake in a crowded shelter to the unsettled noises of their company. They wash up in an industrial public washroom, where dignity hides from the fluorescent lights. They typically wear yesterday’s outfit, worn well by a series of wash-less days, eating what is served – regardless of tastes – at the end of a long line. Their commute is out of an industrial park into the downtown core on a school bus. When they reach their destination, they borrow computer time to reconnect with friends, work opportunities and yesterday’s news. And for many, the hope of a noon hour run gives way to a day of endless walking as they pound the pavement in hopes that it will bring about illusive choice.

That these women and men show the courage to take on the day is in itself a sign of unmatched character and determination. As they reach forward for hope, dig into community and strain for change that will afford them choice, these people – our neighbours – enhance my understanding of strength. I admire them, as they make life from fewer choices. Our response is to work together to lower the barriers and level the path from poverty to possibility, from homelessness to home. Our role is to take the myriad of opportunities we have to choose each day and ensure we decide on a world that affords all the chance to decide.

If you woke up tomorrow in an emergency shelter, what would you most wish having the chance to choose?

- Jeff
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