Street or, no?

[rantnraven]

That is the question.

Here’s the story:

In my tenure on this Earth, I have been faced with a question again and again: Should I become a street-person or, should I continue trying, as best I may, to overt the issue?

The first situation occurred when I was 17. I stayed on the streets for a couple of months before joining the Army and, thus, thwarting the whole mess. It occurred again when I got out of the Army 3 years later: I was faced with this question when my sister became pregnant and I could no longer stay with her in her home (one months time had passed and again, I managed to get myself out of it).

At some point, my wife asked for a divorce (this is when it all goes awry). I granted the divorce – as if I had a choice - and moved out. Soon after I was laid off of my job, had my car repo-ed, and the lease on my apartment was due for renewal. Again, faced with the street! And again, a way out... and I took it.

The street has, yet again, reared its ugly head: There is a short time in which I must choose or react. There are still ways out but, this has come up so often that …

…Well, I don’t know what.

And so I poll you now: given the omnipresence of this issue: Should I just take to the streets (as a potential lesson and learn by it), or should I utilize what few cards I have left to, again, thwart the issue (even though it may rear its ugly head in the near future)?

Your opinions are greatly appreciated.

Blessed Be,
Rant :gagged:

BTW I noticed there a no smilies that are pushing shoping-carts :fpeek:

[Old Witch]

No street sweetie. Use your options, and if it comes up again, then deal with it again.

[Élistariel]

agreed, no street. Get out there and find yourself a job and an apartment, even if it means bagging groceries at Food Lion and living in a "junkhole" apartment. It will be a start.

[DanuMoonrunner]

I agree with OW. Leave the streets for the last possible option. There has to be better things waiting for you! Sending energy to find your way.

[dreamweaver]

You are probably not going to like my reply but as a man and as close as I can come to being face to face to you I will give it honestly.I feel no pitty for someone who is what seems so bent on self destruction.You have to make the choice on your own.

You are not the only one to face hard times.I was completley disowned by my family and saw my mother pass away and was not allowed to go to her before she died,Lost my first wife and kids,became disabled due to a major heart problem,my second wife became a manic depressant and tried to take her life three times just to name a few.

With my faith in Spirit I have pulled things together and have been able to get on with life and thank Spirit every day that I did.You have a serious choice to make to run and drown in self pitty or to get on with your life.Use the things that have happened as a learning experience and make a life for yourself.THE CHOICE IS YOURS AND ONLY YOURS TO MAKE.

[Ceallach]

I say save yourself for now. Later in life, when you are not in an emergency situation, if you still feel a pull to live on the street, then go for it. You have the ability to choose whether it is a positive experience or not. Right now, you sound like you need to be stable and safe so that is what you should probably do. I'd also suggest meditating on it, maybe you will come to a solution of your own making.

Bright Blessings

[WitchJezebel]

Rantn - I have to say that I'm pretty close to agreement with dreamweaver. When I lived in L.A. by myself with all my family here in the East coast I too came very close a few times to being homeless; but I didn't. I busted my butt doing jobs I hated to pay my bills. There's always a way out, so you do the best you can to not become homeless. Again the choice is yours - but I'll take a warm bed and roof any day.

[Pesha]

Ok here is a story I very seldom tell but feel it is time to tell it to you. Five years ago I had gone over to Australia because of a man. Well it ended badly, I managed to get myself home. Stayed with my son till he was to leave to live and work in Norway for a while and realised my funds were almost gone. I was on my way to find work in Kansas at the suggestion of an online friend there. Well I manged with what I had to get to Kansas. I went to the chat fest I had been invited to and then that was it. No job, no home, just my car. I spent one really scarey night in a super rain storm in my car. I cryed all night. The next day I cleaned up found the Salvation Army....and me a Wiccan lol. It did not matter. They found me a place to go, where I got a job as a resident nurse in a transitional home for homeless folk. I soon found a better job, a lovely little house and made some wonderfu; friends. Moral of my tale.......You never give up, use all the resources you can and fight.....fight and survive and win. So play your cards, do what ever it takes......and see. I have a feeling you will make it out of this. Just have faith in yourself!

BB
DS.

[DayDreamer]

Suggestion: Stop looking at the "Streets" as an option. As long as you consider it to be one, you may be less diligent about preventing it from happening.

Translation: Act like an adult and GROW UP.

Sorry if that seems harsh, but reality IS harsh.

[Jenne]

You've gotten some good advice here. I think looking inward now is a good idea. Your options seem clear to you as you gave so many on your poll. You must think it possible to stay off the streets by the way your poll was laid out.

Good luck and Blessings to you--take care of yourself and start thinking POSITIVELY! You *can* get through this!

:hugz:

[LadyAutumnCat]

I tend to agree with everyone else, the streets should not be an option to solving the problems you are faced with. There must be something that is happening in your life that makes you believe that the streets are actually a viable option. Look inside yourself and find what it is you are missing or looking for. I know that no one wants to live on the streets, it's cold, lonely and dangerous, for various reasons. I really hope that you will be able to come to a positive conclusion, and exhaust every possibility other than living on the street.

Much luck and love,

[Phoenix Blue]

Why'd you ever get out of the Army? Is going back in an option for you?

[rantnraven]

There have been some good, heartfelt replies here. But, I think my wording was off a bit: I did not intend on any "self pity", let alone pity from anyone on this board. What I was intending to get at was simply this: I have been faced with this question often enough to possibly warrant some consideration. Being Wiccan, I believe that this life is a lesson - as is the previous, the next, etc..

Let me try something here. If I were in military training (not really knowing what was expected of me) and I was on the obstacle course facing a really high rope to climb, would I go past it? I mean, it may or, may not be required to pass the whole course but I do not know if it does or doesn’t. Basically, do I walk past or jump right in and tackle it? I would hate to get to the end of the course (of life) realizing - only then - that the rope had been required? Then again, I wouldn’t want to jump in and find out that it wasn’t required to begin with either.

Hope this clarifies my issue.

Blessings,
RnR
:rant:

BTW: Re-enlisting is no longer an option - hasn't been for many years. Got out because the thought of war frightened me (lost several friends in Panama and Grenada). Sorry. Just a wuss, I guess.

[writitive]

Hmmm...I have to wonder, why would you think that taking to the streets is a n important thing that you must do? What could you gain from that experience? It seems to me that the struggle to stay off of the streets might provide a better lesson - think about why you are in this situation now, and how you got there. Do you think that there are some things you should do differently to keep this from happening again? Do you think that there are some things you can do to keep it from happening now?

I don't think that you will learn some all-important lesson while living on the streets. I don't think that you would be missing out by passing up the streets. Not to be judgmental (sorry if this seems that way), but you seem like you are romanticizing this situation. If you feel that you need to do something difficult to learn some valuable lesson, go camping or something for a few weeks. I personally don't think that taking to the streets is a viable option, and like others here, don't understand why you would consder it one.

Sorry this is so long...

[Riven]

Spin it however you want - living on the streets sucks. Do anything and everything you possibly can to avoid it. What kind of lesson would you learn if some other homeless person killed you for your coat?

[zakzekezedd]

Well, if the "figures" are right a substantial number of us probably do live "one months pay" from the streets, and I doubt that most of us consider that an acceptable option. If you have to work more than one job so be it. I've worked two jobs most of the last 10 years, and it stinks, but at least the bills get paid. There are always options, they may not be real pleasant. but they're there. As to whether this is an experience that you are meant to have in this life..well, there are some things that are meant to happen..like birth, death, and getting your heart broken a couple of times. But living on the streets? Maybe all that is meant to happen is for you to face this dilemma and find your inner strength in facing it.

[rantnraven]

Thank you all for your comments, ideas and suggestions.

Some say that things must get worse before they get better. Others say that it can’t get any worse then it already is. Either way, I don’t think that I would choose the streets – lesson or no. The Goddess will reveal all when the time comes.

Statistically speaking:

Of the 206 views, only 7.3% voted and 13.7% commented. Interesting, I think.

Blessings,
RnR ;-)

[Chanda]

I wish you best of luck following your decision...

Just a comment: 206 views doesnt mean 206 different people read the thread. I believe that each time anyone comes into the thread to read it, it increments by 1. So the real percentage of people that voted and replied is actually a lot higher!!!

Peace,
Chanda.

[*GrumpButt*]

kEEP YOURSELF OFF THE STREETS. I find it hard to think that your own sister dumped you out. you could have slept ojn the floor/couch/bathtub for goddess sakes! I dont know the whole story, there might have been more to it than what you wrote, but from where I can see, that was not nice.
but please keep yourself safe and clean where ever your life may take you!
love comming your way.