If the world were a village...

You know those write ups where they list out the demographic stats if the earth's population is shrunk to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same?

Well, Rev Dai-En Bennage read one of these to us during my last visit to Mt. Equity Zen Monastery and I just can't stop thinking about it and how struck I was over how privileged I really am in my life today.

There were several numbers that really struck me:

60% of the entire world's wealth would be in the hands of only 6 people and all 6 would be citizens of the United States.

80 would live in substandard housing

70 would be unable to read

50 would suffer from malnutrition

If you have money in the bank, money in your wallet and spare change somewhere around the house, then you are among the richest 8.

Only 1 (one) out of that village of 100 would have a college education.

Wow, only 1 has a college education!! I have a college education, how freakin' lucky am I?? It sure puts my petty bitchin' and moanin' in perspective! I should count myself one of the luckiest people in the entire world. It sure makes me think about how I can contribute to helping those so much less fortunate than I am. Right now, all I know for sure is, I'm definitely not doing enough!!