Welcome to An Abundance of Basics

Simply stated, an abundance of basics  makes for a happy life by allowing us to connect with one another and to share.  The basics needed in abundance, according to a formerly homeless man, include:

1. enough socks to change them everyday and to still have a clean pair on when it is time to do the laundry
2. enough underwear to change everyday without having to hand wash them in between laundry days especially if a dryer is lacking and they become stiff
3. clean sheets and blankets sufficient for warmth so you/we can get a good night’s sleep and not feel the pain of the cold.  Without this our minds will play tricks on us.  
4. enough soap, deodorant, cologne or perfume so we don’t repel people away.  We all need each other. 
5. A 10” black and white television set so we can be aware of what is going on in the world (cable is not necessary and a 10” black and white probably won’t get it anyway).
6. a decent pair of shoes,  along with the socks they protect the body’s tires so you can get where you need to be.  
7. the ability to shower or bathe
8. some spare change to see an occasional movie with friends or even alone as movies, if good, stretch the imagination, inspire creativity, challenge beliefs, and allow us to travel places and ideas new to us. 
9. Food, of course, but you can get a decent meal from a trash can; there is an abundance of waste in that area.  
10. Friends, family, or others that care as this world is too complex to navigate alone. 

The above list came out of the man’s response to two questions: 1) What was the happiest time in your life, and 2) what is your goal for the future?  His happiest time was when he was released from prison and had all those things.  His goal for the future was to have a store where he could sell those things and earn enough to be able to give them to those without them so they too could be happy.  Though he never used the term “an abundance of basics” in his response, it certainly was what he was implying.  

Sadly,  for the millions that are homeless on the streets, in shelters, or about too become homeless these basics are lacking and asking for them may cause someone to be viewed as greedy or selfish.