|
|
Today my dear friends, I bring you this article because of a stranger. A stranger who I saw only for a moment . . . A quick little moment that unknowingly would affect my life forever. Yet, at the time I walked on; completely ignoring this stranger, in fact, exerting a tad more energy just to avoid him. This stranger, this person, this homeless man on the sidewalk.
Although it was only a quick second, and most people would not have noticed or even cared, this image is burned into my brain like a scar, and I will never forget it . . . long thin face and scraggly beard . . . bottles upon bottles littered around his feet . . . metallic grey eyes with such sadness, such pleading. Now that I think about it, I could have done something! But no, I didn't. So why did I just walk by?
You have a story! We all do. Even this hobo had a childhood, perhaps even children or relationships. He may have some problems. Maybe if someone cared enough to help him, he wouldn't be in this position! Maybe if people didn't just walk by.
Am I any better than you? No . . . We're all people. If that was a well dressed man who needed some help would I give him a hand? Sure! So why wouldn't I do the same for this man on the sidewalk? Who am I to say I am better than you, that I should treat you differently than any other human being on this planet? And why? What gives someone the right to treat this homeless man with less respect than the president of the United States? What did he do to deserve less respect, less kindness than anyone else? So . . . why did I just walk by?
Well, I think today I have found an answer to my question. I have a house. I can afford food and nice clothes from Hollister and Aritzia. I'm better than you. But I'm not. I'm not better than you. I sincerely apologize to you because at the moment, I put myself above you, I saw myself in a higher standing than you. But the truth is, no one is better than you. No one is better than anyone. We are all equal. That's all I want everyone to understand. That this homeless man is a human, and we are treating him like dirt.
Next time you see a less unfortunate person living on the street, don't just walk by. Think about my words. Think about how I just walked by. How hard is it to say, "Good morning" and THEN walk past? Maybe hand them a dollar or two? Let the person know that they are still human and not a piece of dirt.
Please, don't walk by like I did. Please show you still care.
-xXibemeXo
|
