I learned a powerful lesson and the true gift of giving today. I can’t even begin to express how I feel right now. I have no words. Touched, moved and inspired are the closest I can come. Although you cannot see me, I have been literally moved to tears; overwhelmed with a sense of joy, happiness, and gratitude. And believe it or not, it all started with a homeless man. How so? Let me tell you.
When I moved to Vancouver, I had never seen a homeless man before. It was new, it was foreign to me…and it broke my heart. When I first came here I would pass by them on my way to school every day, and it made me sad to see how a country as well off as ours can’t even feed and shelter our own people when I know there is more than enough to go around. I just don’t understand it. There is something seriously wrong with our system.
Now I will be the first to admit that since arriving here, I have almost become desensitized to the whole situation; of which I am not proud. I moved here as a student and so hardly had two pennies to rub together, yet always felt guilty when having to say no to their requests for money because I truly wanted to help but I didn’t have the means to do it. However today was different…not sure why, but it was. Today I actually heard beyond their request, and instead of hearing “I need money”, I heard, “I am hungry”. And instead of saying “Sorry I can’t” I said, “All I have is a banana. Would you like a banana instead?”
And that’s all it took. My mind had switched from one of lack to one of abundance; focusing on what I DO have and what I CAN give rather than what I don’t have or can’t give. And you know what? I have never seen a more sincerely grateful man in my whole life. His face changed. For the first time I saw him his eyes told me everything I needed to know. It wasn’t even about the banana anymore; it was about compassion – love, tenderness and kindness towards another human being. And to be honest, between us two, I think I got the greater gift…a connection to my heart that money cannot buy.
It’s true what they say, “The gift is in the giving.”
What you saw (originally) is fair. What I wish you'd seen were the many, many options the province, and better, the city has for these people.
ReplyDeleteI was never able to give when I passed, (i was in that not 2 penny stage in life) but the ones I saw went to the skytrain nightly. The went HOME. To places they paid for via panhandling. I;m not (in the least) saying this is the norm, but a large majority of the people downtown are "professionals". They're making more daily than you or I am.
Give your money (even the money you use to buy that banana) to a shelter, to an organized group. SOMETHING that helps the greater population so the ones who are using this as a way to get by and pay rent aren't in your world or pocketbook.
Thanks for commenting Colleen. I definitely hear you and I am aware that some people do panhandle and make more than I do for a living while doing it....making a bad name for all the others. Which is unfortunate for the ones who truly are needing help because they all get painted with the same brush. I wish I could tell the difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you though for sharing with me and everyone reading of the other options that the city and province have in place. I didn't really know that. It's good to know that there are services out there that people who REALLY need it can turn to for help. Thank you. :)