How can I justify my life of privilege?

Question

I come from a life of privilege. I've always had everything provided for me, and I could live comfortably for the rest of my life in the United States without every having to worry about money. But I feel so guilty. It doesn't seem fair. I was born into this. Why do I deserve this? What can I do to assuage my guilt? I feel a great desire to live a life of asceticism, to give all my money away to the poor, and to live as a wandering mystic, traveling the world in search of truth and goodness. Am I crazy?

Answer 1

Its good to have that humble-ness!

Cherish your life of privliage by being a good enough person to deserve it : be kind to anyone who helps you, and help out people in turn.

Learn about helping people get to where you are, or helping them work with what they have.

Don't flaunt your wealth and be humble, and you have nothing to worry about. Be yourself and be happy!

Also! : don't think that the money will always be there. Plan for the unexpected and save for the future. Disasters come when you least expect it so always be prepared.

Answer 2

I would suggest giving the money to unicef. Their cause is a good one, and they are pretty trustworthy. I guess I would take the opposite stance of kehkohjon.... I would say that giving money away is a far better approach because it goes to professionals who know how to use it. If you are unsure of which cause to donate to, research them. Not all charities are corrupt, and its suprising how far money can go. Unless you are a doctor or have other useful training, volunteering yourself doesn't accomplish a lot. Giving your money to international aid organizations can literally save lives. Many children die from diseases that can be cured or prevented with vaccinations that cost as little as $1. Millions are undernourished. I read an estimate that the cost of turning a vulnerable 2 year-old into a healthy 6 year-old is $200 (cost of vaccines, food, and administrative costs). Thats $200 can protect a child through their most vulnerable years. Even if the cost is 10x that amount, thats still a pretty small to save a life.

The good thing about unicef is that they don't just feed people, they also help with education, women's rights, and family planning to prevent overpopulation.

Don't feel guilty and do nothing. I think you have a great opportunity to really make a difference in the world. You can save a lot of lives. I would urge you as strongly as I can to follow that desire you have, you can do a lot of good.

Answer 3

If this is not a joke, then I suggest that you do volunteer work in shelters and mingle with the less fortunate. Giving money away is being wasteful since most of it will be mismanaged by the greedy hierarchy of whatever organization receives your money.

Go to college, or if you already went to college, then do volunteer work at shelters, at the Ronald McDonald House (for children and parents that visit the city to get chemo or other cancer treatment), work with the Special Olympics, read for the Lighthouse population of blind people. There's a lot you can do to mitigate yourself of your purported "guilt" for being "privileged." Try being a little creative; I'm sure you'll find a way.

Answer 4

Money makes money. If you want to do good and assuage your guilt, then use your privilege to help others. Use your connections to raise money for poor, diseased, helpless animals and children who need your help. Set up a non-profit fund with your existing money in such a way that you can continually give. And practice your ideas, volunteer, travel to less fortunate places, etc.
You are not crazy, I'm not even that "privileged" yet still feel guilt when I see how amazing my life is when compared to others in need!

Answer 5

Life isn't fair.

Someone else got lucky and was born in war-torn Kosovo, or the Sudan. Others were destined to be loyal employees of Enron who would lose everything. Others got debilitating injuries or sicknesses. Others were born into villages wiped out by a tsunami.

The really unfortunate ones were Paris Hilton, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. They didn't get any of those hardships. Have a tall glass of water and some perspective.

Answer 6

Your problem isn't money. You have the same problem as everybody else: how to become a good person. And don't fool yourself into thinking you have a good or bad start because of money. Your money won't either help or hinder you. Give it away, keep it all to yourself - it really doesn't matter. You're in the same position as anybody else, and if you think differently, it's just an excuse for being a failure as a person.

Answer 7

No, you are not crazy, you are perfectly normal.

We can not really enjoy what we think we have not earned. It appears to be unjust. Justice is one of the high level values for which the human being can sacrifice anything, even own and others' life.

You may feel better if you find a way of spending your extra money for the benefit of the needy and oppressed, rather than simply throwing it away and walking off, so to say.

Answer 8

No, you're not crazy.

You just think about others and that's beautiful. It may be the richest part of who you are.

Thank God that you are in a position to help others ... then help them in whatever way you see fit.

In the old days you would have been a deserving king that I would have looked up to, but that was the old days. No more kings are wanted ... especially in America.

You have nothing to feel guilty about your lucky birth, probably well deserved karma, feel guilty only if you don't help ... and make a difference in this world.

Yours with respect;
Jonnie

Answer 9

You are so fortunate to have available to you resources to make a difference in this insane world. You can help so many people. Why should you feel guilty? Take what has been given to you a make this world a better place. That's what money is for if used properly!

Answer 10

You are not crazy...money is necessary for people to survive in this world today...other than to survive it only satisfies you temporarily...and you can not buy complete happiness. Even though many, many, many, people would do anything to have what you have.

The truth is there are people on the earth, US included, going through very hard times, especially with many of our manufacturing plants shutting down, being shipped overseas, and leaving workers without employment. Many of them do not have educations because they went straight into the workforce at a young age to make a living for their families.

Also, there are women struggling to raise a family alone because of men who prefer to avoid responsibility.

If you choose to help people who are in need with the wealth you have been blessed with since birth, then you do not have to go searching for goodness, for it is within you! And you will find it in the lives you touch with your generosity!