With the bitter cold and snowfall that has been going on in the Midwest lately, time seemed to stop in its tracks the other day. As I was walking into Wal-Mart to go shopping for things I couldn't afford, the wind was howling and the temperature seemed to be dropping drastically. While walking into Wal-Mart, I caught myself turning around, staring at my warm gloves and big winter coat and running back to my car. I got into my car and started bawling. Yes, crying. I began to realize how selfish some people are. How selfish I can be at times. How cruel the world can be. How this world can throw life at you and then spit you back out. Society makes us believe we should ignore people who are suffering sometimes. We are the universe, but society throws limitations at us. Making us think this is the only way. That it's either this way or no way. People who are on the sidewalks, literally begging for warmth or for food. We walk aimlessly past these human beings, staring down at our cellphones more than likely, and here they are—so desperate, they literally are begging just to get by daily. No. We look at these people who are desperate and lonely and assume they're lazy. We assume they have nothing to offer the world. We might even look at them and think "Maybe, if you got off your ass and found a job you wouldn't be sitting there." Of course, every one of us is different. I'm stating all these thoughts because these were once thoughts I had while walking past someone who was homeless. I used to think every time I saw someone homeless, that they're pathetic. I used to think that they weren't even trying. The key words here; I used to. One day it all changed for me. One day I realized how much of a connection I had with these human beings. That's right, they're human beings. You're a human being. We need to stick together. It's a cold, cold world out there.
Do you realize how fortunate you are?
The simple fact that you are reading this on a computer or mobile device is a huge blessing in and of itself.
You have a roof over your head, I'm assuming, and you have had a meal today. You're so incredibly blessed.
Realize deeply that you do have so much to offer the world. We all do. Even those who do not have all that you may have. We all have the ability to love. Remember that.
My first experience with the homeless changed my life and who I am as a person forever. The universe, God, whomever you believe in, was definitely testing me.
It was my senior year in high school and for my composition class, I was assigned to do a research paper. I had no idea what to write about. Absolutely no clue. Being the hard-working high school senior that I was, I literally decided my topic five minutes before the teacher asked me.
I chose the homeless. After I chose the topic on the homeless, I kept questioning myself on why I chose that certain topic. What could I learn from the homeless?
The real question was, what could I not learn? Over the course of that week, I learned more than I ever have and I was given a test I wasn't even aware I needed to take.
After school that same day, I was driving away from school and I noticed a homeless lady walking along the side of the road. It was the middle of February and very cold outside. I didn't think anything of it. I didn't even assume she was homeless at first.
The next day I noticed her again, at the same spot. I have never seen her before. Now, I'm seeing her two days in a row? Usually, I'm pretty observant about all that's around me while driving. So much so that it screws me over while driving because that's just how scatter-brained I tend to be.
I saw her again everyday for a week straight, at the same spot, right by my high school. One day, I even said a simple "Hi" to her and asked her if everything was okay. That, at first, really freaked me out. Why did it though? She is a person. I am a person. She said in such a calm manner, "Hello! I'm doing just fine, honey." I smiled and drove off. Another day, I literally found myself asking this woman if she needed a ride. I saw her down the road. Drove past her, and instantly turned around. She was so gracious and delightfully declined. Everyday that same week since I chose the topic for my research paper, she was there. She was right near my school. Some may consider this a coincidence. Me, on the other hand, I took this seriously. I literally was going crazy after a while. I had a huge desire to do something for this woman. A desire I could not get out of my mind.
A week of discovering research about homeless shelters and people who are homeless in general, I felt connected. I felt like this woman didn't come into my tracks just for the hell of it.
The night before my paper was due, I found myself in the middle of the night at Wal-Mart. I bought several toiletry items. I bought an umbrella, a blanket, gloves, everything I could think of. Even a journal, because I knew how much I found writing therapeutic to me—maybe she'd feel the same.
I put everything into a bundle and placed it in a nice bag to give to her the next day. I told no one. It was that Friday when all of my research was done. I went to the spot she was always at, and a few other spots I've seen her hanging out. She wasn't there. I thought that was odd. I drove around town and looked everywhere. I looked under bridges. Anywhere I thought she may be. Nowhere to be found.
I thought maybe it was just the day, maybe she hitched a ride from someone and left the city. I didn't know. I still kept everything together in case I saw her.
A few weeks passed and from time to time, you'd find me driving around looking for her. I never saw her after that day I turned the paper in. I never saw her after I bought everything for her.
This was one of my biggest life lessons I've ever learned.
I ended up, shockingly, failing my research project that I wrote almost 15 pages on. But, I ended up feeling as if I aced life itself and the world around me. I ended up acing the greatness that lies in each human being. Some of the best lessons, are outside of the classroom. I would fail that paper again if I had to.
I often think of her and hope she is well. I hope she is alive and well.
I have thought before too, maybe she was a figment of my imagination? Maybe, she was a ghost, placed specifically to test me? Or, maybe I just think too much. Life can be quite mysterious.
Life truly has a way of giving you just what you need, without you even realizing you needed it in the first place. I never knew how I'd handle a situation like that. Because I've never been in a situation like that. I've always avoided the homeless. I've always thought they were an outcast.
They're anything but outcasts. If anything, I am the outcast. Walking through city streets, I find them the most beautiful people in the city. Now, I acknowledge every homeless person I may see. Whether it's a simple smile or just a conversation.
Yes, you may think I sound naive, and my mother would argue saying some of them are very harmful. Which is very true. People do take advantage of you. I'm not blindsided by that. I do not recommend you going around and just handing out money to the homeless every time you see someone on the side of the road. You don't know the person. It is necessary to be cautious. Just like how you would with anyone else, homeless or not.
I say not to just hand them money because there is so much more valuable than money.
I do, however, recommend you do not ignore them. Do not think you are above them. You don't know what they've been through. You do not know their situation.
After this woman crossed my path, I've met several homeless people. People who have been through hell and back. People who just want their voices to be heard. Speaking to these people, I've been drawn to even consider helping them much more in the future in all the ways I possibly can.
If you have the ability to give, do just that. Give continuously because you can. It may surprise you how rewarding and life-changing some small talk with a beautiful stranger can be.
We grow by new experiences. Learn from them.
Learn from people who stand out. And stand out with them.
In these cold winter nights, be aware of all your surroundings. Be aware that someone is out there with not even half as much as you have. If you run into someone within these next few months who is struggling in the cold, it's not going to kill you to go buy a pair of gloves for them or a warm hat. Like I said, give because you can.
Stay warm out there, folks. Share with care. And always remember, love is contagious.
Donate to the homeless here.
Thank you.
