27 November 2006

Something to think about...

Took the bus to work today as usual.. My daily commute to work goes on one bus, and after a few stations I switch and take a different bus; the station I stop at is infront of a Starmart supermarket...

At the bus stop, I was feeling kinda hungry, and since the next bus comes after 15 minutes I decided to go in and get something to eat. Went inside, got a nice big slice of pizza. As I walked out the door I was about to open up the box of pizza and I see what I assumed to be a homeless guy on the side of the supermarket. He had a huge beard like he hasn't shaved for months, dirty clothes, and it was raining so he was sitting on the side of the supermarket hoping not to get wet; obviously homeless or at the least very poor. I waited till I passed him to eat my pizza since it seemed like he was looking straight at me; I didnt want to eat infront of him, the guy looked so hungry after all.

Went back to the bus stop, finished my food and saw the bus coming down the road. Now I was thinking about this guy; it was cold and wet, hes just sitting there with everything he owns in a little shopping cart next to him; a few clothes, an old plastic bag with some stuff in it, and what looks like a broken umbrella. Guy obvioulsy hasnt eaten in a while and looked really tired and powerless.

The bus was coming closer, and I had to be in the office in 20 minutes. But I thought, what the hell, shouldn't someone help him out? I thought about going in to get something for him, but decided, nah, I'll be late for work.

Late for work? What does that mean to me? Walking in 10 or 15 minutes late into the office. This guy is sitting here, hungry, probably starving. I think a few minutes late for me isn't that big a deal compared to what he's feeling. I walked on over to him and asked, You hungry? He looked at me and it was like he couldnt comprehend what I was saying. I pointed at my stomache, "Want something to eat?" He looked at me, sorta suprised, or maybe wondering why someone was asking him this, and said yeah. I told him ok, wait a minute.

I went inside, as the bus passed my stop and left. I got him a big slice of pizza, then decided, what the hell, let me get him two. And a big bottle of water.

Got all of that stuff and went back out. It didnt cost much, didnt cost much at all, $2.50 dollars... And I gave it to him. He looked at me with the biggest look of gratitude and said, thanks, in a low muffled voice... I just smiled back and walked over to the bus stop...

The second bus came soon as I arrived at the stop. Got on and looked at him as the bus drove away... Something moved inside me. Ive always been thinking my situation could be better, and I need more money, for this or for that. Always trying to do what I can to make more money. And I look at this guy, just a small thing we don't even think about means the world to him. Were living life so easily yet were not satisfied... And do we ever think about helping others on the way? Sure if we see someone on the side of the street we might throw him some change, but have you ever gone out of your way to do something? I felt like a tear was about to drop. Why haven't I ever done something like this before? I know I was good when I was a child, and I loved to help people but things changed; everyone is for himself now, its a material world after all...

Do we ever think of helping others? I felt the wierdest feeling today after helping that guy. Its not about how much money you spend, its about what you do. It was such a small thing to me, but it meant a lot. I guess something changed inside of me... I'm promising myself to try and help out one person every day at least.

I hope you all read this and try to do something. Or maybe start thinking about making a difference in your world and not be so selfish anymore. If you already do this, great. If you dont, well, heres to a new start.

Im not writing this to show off or whatever. I think I experienced something today and I hope this makes one or two of you think about doing the same.. If it does then you never know whose life you can change...

3 comments:

Xinfinitum said...

Excellent.

I commend you for seeing the needs of others and doing something about it.

Regarding the Double a Penny idea I am also doing something similar.

You can read about it at:
dtamp.blogspot.com

Xinfinitum

Anonymous said...

hey thank you for ur comment in my group and i want to say that is really thoughtful of u , if only everybody acts the ways u did , and i cheer for what u did , u first thougt of him and to me thats charity , u gave him 2 slices of pizza and a bottle of water , and also u smiled , a smile is a huge charity , not everybody smile at poor people , most give them the bad terrified look , most give them the discusted look and most act like they never exist :( they r just people as we r but helpless and our duty as humans is helping them and remember to always smile :)

thank you

Anonymous said...

Babe I remember when you came back home that day o you told me about this, looking into your eyes, your tone its different .. you made me think.. and made me want to change .. I thought about the money we spend everyday .. I thought about me complaining about not having anything to wear and wasting money on shit I don’t even use while there are many people suffering don’t have food, cloth or place to stay in .. walla if we just think about the stupid things we waste money on and try to help the helpless .. anshalla we will help to make the world safer and better.. it’s the small things that makes a difference. Thank you for writing this thoughtful words.