Access

“ … poverty isn’t just the lack of money.

It’s the lack of access to the kinds of people

who can help you make the most of your life.”

Manny Scott

[Quoted by Karla Ward, Lexington Herald-Leader

Monday, Nov. 18, 2013]

 So true, isn’t it?

In fact, access is very likely THE key cornerstone attribute of life.

Consider the importance of access to such things as …  

·         Education

·         Food and shelter

·         Life-Enriching Friends/Colleagues

·         Running water

·         Negotiable currency

·         Credit

·         Jobs

·         Promotions

·         Healthcare

·         Good literature/Grand art

·         Warm surroundings when it’s cold; cool surroundings when it’s hot

·         … anything outside our own limited sphere of existence

Importantly, different levels of access exist, and they do not automatically accrue, seamlessly overlap or homogeneously “blend in”.  A minimum wage job can get one access to entry level connections and amenities – “spending money”, if you’re still living under somebody else’s roof – but not to independent living in civilization at large.  That’s a whole, ‘nother ball game. 

Point to Ponder:

Being human gives one access to incredible DNA and brain power,

but much of it is left woefully untapped.

Sadly, we don’t always take best advantage of the access portals available to us (including our DNA and brain power!).  We muddle through our education and try to “Beat the System” instead of latching onto (accessing) and plugging into sources of power and possibility for legitimate advancement.  Some of us spend an inordinate amount of energy running away from access in the presumptive noble pursuit of “self-determination”, insisting on being “Captains of our own Destiny”, for which we are haplessly ill-equipped. 

Point to Ponder:

“Freedom’s just another word

For nothin’ left to lose.

Nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’

But it’s free.”

“Me And Bobbie McGee”

Roger Miller

Churches, service organizations and government agencies have constructed a plethora of outreach programs to assist in providing access to fundamental services.  While laudable, these offerings are neither comprehensive nor well-coordinated, nor are they universally available or progressively “graduated” for fluid advancement to independence, so the overall impact is limited.

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Point to Ponder:

No matter how much access is available, and no matter how many portals exist, they are largely inaccessible to those who: 1) “don’t know any better”; 2) don’t want to endure the constraints associated with access; 3) “can’t be bothered”; 4) are otherwise constrained by unfounded assumptions, unrealistic expectations, and unwarranted entitlements; and/or 5) show no inclination toward nor likely responsiveness to the intended benefits of access.  Having one’s own agenda at cross purposes with “the great waterway of life” – unless it’s for a better way of life – is not helpful.  It’s important to “get with the program” – and become access-able – in a program that’s going somewhere.    

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Recognizing the importance of ACCESS is a critical first step in building a better civilization, as well as in building a better life … with “freedom” that’s really worth something, particularly in developing a more sustainable future.  Another name for access is OPPORTUNITY.  More times than not, we have to create opportunities for ourselves.  We can do this by becoming access-able, by taking full advantage of access portals already available to us and by “leveraging” the opportunities to attain higher levels of access.  The more access portals we open and the more opportunities we leverage, the more of both will become available – it’s a win-and-win-more proposition!  Let’s go looking for and creating more access – both for ourselves and for those hoping for and looking for a way up and out – and tapping into more opportunity.  Quartermaster