Reflections...

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/poverty/blogs/23275-should-you-give-a-homeless-person-money

The question of whether or not to give money to a homeless person is something I continually struggle with when encountering someone on the streets. In the past few years I have committed to actually purchasing the item asked for by the person than give money as a means of preventing them from getting their hands on drugs or other harmful substances. It's actually surprising what some people ask for; I remember when in Vancouver a middle aged man asked for a few dollars and when asking him what he really wanted it turns out it was a 'Coke and a Mars bar'. However there was another occasion where someone else asked me for some money and the response to my usual "what do you need the money for?" was "In honesty I just want to buy a pack of smokes". My immediate response was "nah, sorry mate I can't help you" and walked away to catch my bus. I have been continually haunted by that particular moment in which I should have actually acknowledged and respected his honesty and given him a few bucks for his smokes. After all I guarantee not every single dollar of my own is spent wisely, so why should we treat other grown-ups regardless of their background with any less respect than those whom we do. A gift is a gift, it shouldn't be conditional.

I was absolutely blessed to have not paid a cent for any of my accommodation while in the USA for almost a year; this is the only possible way I could have stayed in that country for so long as I forked out my entire life savings on flights/visa/buying food while interning for non-profit Invisible Children. One of the places I stayed after my internship was Austin, Texas with some extremely hospitable young men of who I was incredibly blessed by. One of these guys in particular left a huge impression on me by his love for others, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Blake would regularly stop, serve and have conversations with anyone on the street, offer to buy them some food without them even asking and converse with them like they were an old friend. Additionally he volunteered a day and a half a week to supporting and serving with local food programs and on top of that make bags of food to hand out to those he would pass by while driving to university. I don't know about you but that is mega inspiring and has really challenged my initial reactions to others.

I think this rant will go on forever, I haven't proof read it and don't really know where I'm going with it so I'll leave it at that. Hopefully it provides some food for thought next time you pass someone by who is in need; regardless of your initial thoughts into their backgrounds or choice of spending's.

Check out this quote by the author of the article contained within the link at the top of the page that triggered this rant. Much thanks to Jonathan for initially posting it on his Tumblr.

Peace,
Chad

"I decided that whenever I give money to a homeless person or anybody who asks, it is a gift. So when I give it to them, it is no longer mine—it’s theirs. When I give a gift to my friends for Christmas or birthdays, I don’t tell them what to do with it or what to buy with it because it is no longer mine."