Noblesse oblige
13 March 2013 02:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Today while driving I saw a homeless man begging, pacing the streets at red lights. I've seen him there for several weeks now. I can't read the sign he is holding, and I don't even try.
He smells, he is dirty, and he has a shopping cart of blankets in the nearby parking lot - so he is legitimately a bum.
Today, I gave him a dollar. I waved my hand out the window, and he approached. My light had turned green, and I was inching forward. I held on to the money tightly until he grabbed for it. His hand touched mine, and I nearly let go, but I didn't.
He said, "God bless you."
And I held on, until I had his attention.
I said, "This has absolutely nothing to do with God." And then I let it go. I drove away.
Seriously, get up off your ass and do something. Don't wait for money and happiness to rain down from the skies. Don't wait for a miracle.
He smells, he is dirty, and he has a shopping cart of blankets in the nearby parking lot - so he is legitimately a bum.
Today, I gave him a dollar. I waved my hand out the window, and he approached. My light had turned green, and I was inching forward. I held on to the money tightly until he grabbed for it. His hand touched mine, and I nearly let go, but I didn't.
He said, "God bless you."
And I held on, until I had his attention.
I said, "This has absolutely nothing to do with God." And then I let it go. I drove away.
Seriously, get up off your ass and do something. Don't wait for money and happiness to rain down from the skies. Don't wait for a miracle.
no subject
Date: 14 March 2013 05:59 pm (UTC)I'm curious; I want to know if your words resounded with him, or if he'll go back to being a worthless good for nothing. You can never tell if someone got themselves into that position, or if that was the cards that were dealt to them, but you can always change it. It may not be easy, it may not be quick, but you can alter things going forward.
You just have to put forth the effort.