Post by Marty Willichuk.
I have been in this setting. I have roamed the streets of Philadelphia, not knowing where my next dollar, my next meal, would come from. In my days out there, I came across some of the most compassionate people I have ever met. But that is a story for another day.
What this video shows is that people without things are more likely to give what little they have than those who are more fortunate. I'm not trying to proclaim myself as anything wonderful, but I know that this has happened in my experience. For instance, one night a couple handed me a bag full of food, including steak from Ruth's Chris that they didn't eat. Its possible that I could have ate all of the food, but I couldn't do that. Having been around the streets, I knew that there were others in need. So, I sought out a few people that were around where I was, and we all ended up eating together.
Like I said, I'm no saint. That's just something that happened in my life. I've been hungry, without a dollar in my pocket. I've asked people for change, for food, for anything. It's interesting to point out that its not the people that seem to have money that help. It's exactly the opposite. People that you wouldn't expect to have any money to spend are the people who will try to assist. I suppose that it takes a struggle to really identify a struggle, and want to lend a helping hand.
As for me, I'm still struggling a little bit, but my parents have been kind enough to help me, and I now have love, support, and a roof over my head. I even got some new clothes! My life is great right now, and I'm happy to be where I am, and who I am. I don't forget where I've been. Now, if I see somebody on the street in need, I try to do something. I don't really have much money, but even if its a cigarette that I can spare them, that's what I will do. I'm aware that this isn't exactly "helping" in the strictest sense of the word, but you can't imagine the joy that can be brought about by such a simple gesture. Just paying somebody attention, wishing them a good day, a smile as you pass... it's the simplest things that can yield the greatest happiness.
All that I'm really trying to express is that people should open their eyes, and their hearts. Everybody has stuff that they're going through, whether relationships, financial issues, etc. It's important to remember that there is assuredly always somebody who has it worse. I'm not even talking about all of the terrible things happening globally, but just simply the hunger going on currently in your local community. Do you have an extra blanket? Why not try to seek out somebody, and provide warmth to them for the coming fall and winter? Have a sandwich you made for lunch but didn't eat? Why not pass it along to the guy on the corner, the one who hasn't had anything to eat today? These gestures of kindness not only make the recipient grateful, but you'll see that you feel good, too. It's a spiritual experience, one person helping another.
Empathy has been fading, and it's damaging our relationships with one another. Why don't we all make a conscious decision to reverse this? Reach out, lend a hand, lend a meal, lend a smile, and help us become closer. These videos on social media are great, and hopefully they encourage others to help. Liking these videos isn't enough. Try sharing them, or better yet, get out there and see how it is. At the end of the experience, you will be happier, and you will make somebody else happier, as well. Isn't that what we all want at the end of the day? One person helping another, it's the most beautiful thing to see.
