Since beginning my work with HOPE Hospitality and Warming Center, I have become particularly sensitive to judgmental points of view regarding the difficult life circumstances some individuals face on a regular basis. I had not previously noticed how frequently people--including some whom I greatly respect--make comments implying that because certain conditions of suffering are at least partially the result of poor decision-making on the part of the sufferer, those experiencing these circumstances are generally deserving of their suffering.

Without getting into specifics, I would like to simply bring further attention to the idea that any individual's current life circumstances--positive or negative--are the result of forces far more complex than the actions of any single person, as we exist in complexly interrelated psychological, social, and bio/physiological systems. Previous external events beyond the control of any single individual frequently underlie what can appear on the surface to be circumstances resulting from individual decision-making.

I invite you to consider contributing some of your time or resources towards assisting those in your community who are suffering, without judgment.