Many of us who have been around for a while at one point have heard the phrase or the words feast or famine.
Today when you hear it what comes to your mind?
This past weekend some were able to celebrate Thanksgiving, with many of you entertaining and enjoying the company the fellowship of others.
My question was it a feast or famine?
I’m guessing that it was a feast with plenty of food to take home.
After all, there is a limit to how long you can keep leftovers in the refrigerator.
Did you have everything you wanted to eat or was it that before the meal you ate very little knowing and acting like a famine was imminent as you prepared yourself for the feast that was about to happen?
I’m always cognizant of the meaning behind the word gluttony. “A sinful behavior characterized by excessive consumption of food, drink, or other material pleasures.”
Of course, there are other meanings; however, for this conversation let’s stick to food.
I have over the years quit going to all-you-can-eat restaurants because I don’t want to be a glutton.
However, mainly during Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, I know there is always going to be a feast and not a famine.
As I thought about the topic for today, “feast of famine” those two words could play out in various directions.
It could be a feast of also having so much time that you were full in every area of your life watching TV, Football Games, Dinner and more.
Or it could be that you felt as if you had starved yourself over the weekend, particularly if you didn’t want to ruin the diet you were on.
Many already know for a homeless person a diet was the last thing on their minds and for our homeless, many were able to enjoy a feast in various soup kitchens around town.
Did you know that “Around one in every 500 Americans was experiencing homelessness in January 2023? The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counted 653,104 homeless Americans in its annual point-in-time report, which measures homelessness across the US on a single night each winter. That’s a 12.1% increase from the same report in 2022.”
How many homeless people are in the US? What does the data miss?
Therefore, it’s organizations like, Feeding America, No Kid Hungry, and Volunteers of America that are feeding our homeless and less fortunate.
What I found interesting is various fraternities all across the states gave away hams and turkeys which speaks volumes in helping our communities of less fortunate and below the poverty line.
Some organizations like churches and law firms have a tradition and are committed each year to doing the same in their communities.
Feast or Famine is a term that depends on which end of the spectrum you’re standing.
You either have it or you don’t.
There are of course the Haves or the Have Nots.
The Haves and Have-Nots Explained
I also found out that after Thanksgiving there is a limit to how much Turkey one person can eat.
Some would rather go on a famine and not see another piece of turkey.
We live in a society where today you and I have so much at our fingers tips including reading the Bible or scriptures if we so choose to do it.
Over the years I continued to watch those who would pile their plates and then throw good food in the trash can because their eyes were bigger than their stomach.
Eyes are bigger than one’s stomach Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
If that were not enough, we witnessed the high prices of eggs this Thanksgiving because of the Bird Flu. The good news is eggs weren’t seven or eight dollars like it was last year for eggs. In the egg department, it’s a feast or famine when things are not as abundant as always.
Egg prices are going even higher. This time it’s avian flu and the holidays.
Today, I’m also thinking about the economy as it relates to feast or famine.
As lawmakers prepare to decide what’s best for us, many await what will happen as the threat of tariffs is about to be imposed on those outside of the United States.
For some, the feast is going to be over and the famine will begin.
Tariffs: What are they, who pays for them and who do they benefit?
What Trump’s latest tariff plan means for the US | AP News
Sometimes there are plenty of jobs or work awaiting individuals and sometimes there is nothing at least that we want to pursue.
I know that if you are a roofer with the recent tornados and hurricanes the roofing industry is booming.
Many of them are feasting while others are in famine.
This brings me to the point if we are in famine for a job, what are we doing to prepare ourselves when a feast comes our way?
We must capitalize on the lessons we are learning while we are in the famine stages and the ability to see the opportunities that will eventually come our way in the future.
Sometimes we must take a time out and reflect on what’s available especially when the universe is calling our names by way of the law of attraction.
The law of attraction is a philosophy suggesting that positive thoughts bring positive results into a person’s life, while negative thoughts bring negative outcomes.
What Is the Law of Attraction?
Whether you believe in the law of attraction or not, it’s something to think about while you are in your feast or famine period.
Now that Thanksgiving is over you and I continue to see signs as we live more intentionally amidst the busyness of the world.
I’ll close and say as I begin this Advent season in my faith there is a specific preparation, as I refocus my heart and mind on the coming of Christ. I invite you to do the same within your faith and the Deity your worship.
Advent is a season of hope, peace, joy, and love. It is associated with feast and famine in the Bible for example, whereas Amos 8:11 speaks of a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
Each of us has our own decision to make during this holiday season and decide where our faith will take us as we prepare to close out 2024. Today, I challenge you to decide where your feast or famine is at this time of the year.
I love to cook. During many holidays, I prepare a feast to entertain friends and family. There’s always plenty of food, with lots left over.
To make the most of it, I often host a “leftover party.” If there’s still food remaining after that, I make sure everyone is welcome to take some home.
I feel incredibly fortunate that we don’t have to experience hunger. But this also reminds me of how challenging life can be for some people. It inspires me to think about ways I can reach out to help those less fortunate
Caroline,
Today I learned something new from your response about hosting a “leftover party.” When I was in the Military often time I would deliver meals to Soldiers in Barracks. When I was a DA Civilian I would deliver to our local Fire Station. Today, I do my part to support my Church that feeds 100 families. I believe as long as we do something we will get something in return. I too “feel incredibly fortunate” that I don’t have to experience hunger. Thank you for your comments on today’s blog.
McKinley
I practice conscious gratitude meaning I am grateful to support organizations who provide a Thanksgiving feast for those who have not. At the same time I am grateful and acknowledge the many things that went into making the Thanksgiving feasts possible. Smooth sailing is expected and often taken for granted.
Dr. Ola Fox,
I too practice “conscious gratitude” for those reaching out to the less fortunate.
I sure those who worked the soup kitchens on Thanksgiving to help provide meals understand how we can never take things for granted.
McKinley