JUST PHILOSOPHISING - ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING THE LIFE YOU HAVE, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY. PART 1.

'It might be the measure of our 'sense of security', when we find ourselves in the comparatively privileged position of living as if our tomorrows are assured. 

Of not having to be living, or, more precisely, existing on 'the edge.' Of having to exercise our intellect with the challenge of how to meet our daily basic needs. 

A day at a time, and with the fear of having to repeat the same process, tomorrow, if it does dawn upon us.'

Life sucks, we sometimes hear people say. Life is hard, we say, or hear others say. 

Man, I am just surviving, things tough, it really is rough. And they are, for millions of people. 

Life can be a drudge, a daily grind for millions. For those of us living in the more affluent West.  

The more industrialised and 'liberal democracies', life, living can, indeed becomes tough, but probably rarely unbearably so. 

Yes, there are the probably ever increasing 'pockets' of serious deprivation.  

Pockets of formerly vibrant towns and shopping centres, which have now become blighted with their dilapidated and derelict buildings, closed shops, bedecked with "For rent" signs. 

Places with closed down industrial units and factories, and signs of fly-tipping of rubbish, indicating the direction of travel for their communities. 

The prevalence of signs of unemployment, drug usage and arrested and blighted lives of the people who remain in these dying towns, and are having to continue to make them their homes. 

Probably because they do not have the money, the skills and/or work experience and contacts. 

Which are needed for them to be able join the more fortunate former residents who had the good fortune to move to placed where the 'economic grass' is indeed greener.

These conditions, of course, can lead many to become victims to  despair and social alienation. 

Making it even more difficult for them to avoid the perils of unemployment, lack of adequate income, mental health problems, alcohol and substance misuse, and environmental poverty, and loss of hope of a better life. 

To be continued!