‘Tis the season for giving so I thought I might share a recent chain of events that shed some light on the worth of giving not just around Christmas, but all times of the year.
Now, let me preface this story with a caution to all who know me, and have heard me say a million times before that I believe all homeless people have ended up in their situation by choices they have made, and that they alone posses the ability to make changes in their life. To that end, I have never felt it worthwhile to give money to the homeless while passing by. Please don’t confuse this with giving to reputable charity, that I feel is outstanding and generally ends up making a difference in the world. Rather I feel giving change to a homeless person “begging” would just end up being spent on many vice they may have.
So on with the story then …as recently as a month ago on my way to work, walking up Yonge Street to work in my “ivory tower” as some of my friends call the corporate office buildings downtown in the finance district, I decided to give a homeless man I pass by each morning some money. Call it a moment of guilt for all the successes and fortunes that I have had in my life, but as I walked past him with my hand in my pocket my arm came out with a $20. I was taking this out to buy some ridiculously overpriced StarBucks drink when I stopped, leaned over to him, and handed him the money. With nothing said between us, he simple looked stunned then smiled broadly.
Fast forward two weeks, when walking up Yonge street again I happened to notice some books he had amongst his belongings. I stopped to peer at them, and he quickly showed me with pride that he had used my money donated to go to a used book store and purchase some mathematics books. I asked him why he picked those, and he explained that he had been trying to get a job but found it difficult without his high school diploma. I was floored, and all of a sudden embarrassed for years of assumptions I had passed off on all homeless I pass by. Could it be that given the right tools we could help these people in bad situations?
Trying to think how I could further help this man out of his situation, I dug out all my old books from high school sitting in boxes collecting dust. Began bringing them to him one by one starting with English; followed by science, and then stats courses. Over the weeks we have developed a little rapport between us where he periodically asks me for help with particular question in the books he is having difficulty with. I spend a few minutes and help him through the problems, then am off to the gym for my morning workout. He has never asked me for any more money, and today gave me possibly one of the best gifts anyone ever has. On my way into work he was standing up looking around, almost excited to see me. He gave me a test, with a mark listed as an 80 % on his first math test. He had enrolled in an adult learning center, taken a test and wanted me to have his first accomplishment as a gift for helping him out.
Reconsider the worth of giving to others this season, no matter how small it can make the world of difference in someone’s life.
Now, let me preface this story with a caution to all who know me, and have heard me say a million times before that I believe all homeless people have ended up in their situation by choices they have made, and that they alone posses the ability to make changes in their life. To that end, I have never felt it worthwhile to give money to the homeless while passing by. Please don’t confuse this with giving to reputable charity, that I feel is outstanding and generally ends up making a difference in the world. Rather I feel giving change to a homeless person “begging” would just end up being spent on many vice they may have.
So on with the story then …as recently as a month ago on my way to work, walking up Yonge Street to work in my “ivory tower” as some of my friends call the corporate office buildings downtown in the finance district, I decided to give a homeless man I pass by each morning some money. Call it a moment of guilt for all the successes and fortunes that I have had in my life, but as I walked past him with my hand in my pocket my arm came out with a $20. I was taking this out to buy some ridiculously overpriced StarBucks drink when I stopped, leaned over to him, and handed him the money. With nothing said between us, he simple looked stunned then smiled broadly.
Fast forward two weeks, when walking up Yonge street again I happened to notice some books he had amongst his belongings. I stopped to peer at them, and he quickly showed me with pride that he had used my money donated to go to a used book store and purchase some mathematics books. I asked him why he picked those, and he explained that he had been trying to get a job but found it difficult without his high school diploma. I was floored, and all of a sudden embarrassed for years of assumptions I had passed off on all homeless I pass by. Could it be that given the right tools we could help these people in bad situations?
Trying to think how I could further help this man out of his situation, I dug out all my old books from high school sitting in boxes collecting dust. Began bringing them to him one by one starting with English; followed by science, and then stats courses. Over the weeks we have developed a little rapport between us where he periodically asks me for help with particular question in the books he is having difficulty with. I spend a few minutes and help him through the problems, then am off to the gym for my morning workout. He has never asked me for any more money, and today gave me possibly one of the best gifts anyone ever has. On my way into work he was standing up looking around, almost excited to see me. He gave me a test, with a mark listed as an 80 % on his first math test. He had enrolled in an adult learning center, taken a test and wanted me to have his first accomplishment as a gift for helping him out.
Reconsider the worth of giving to others this season, no matter how small it can make the world of difference in someone’s life.
what a great lesson. i also recently let go of that assumption that people end up in their current situation because of choices and decisions they have made. i have moved on to the school of thought that you seem to have also come to. i think you should be proud of yourself for taking the time to acknowledge someone who most of society has marginalized.
ReplyDeleteon another note...hope you and yours have had a lovely christmas. sending good thoughts your way.
It is humbling to have something you have always assumed true be nullified so quickly. But that is what allows us to grow, our ability to accept outside truths and make them our own.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you ... hope you are enjoying the new life on the opposite side of the globe !