do you ever feel overwhelmed when you think of all the happenings of the world? from disease, to war, to hunger to all the orphans? during these times, i always want to do more and fix the world. give me a red cape and black tights so i can save the world! but the reality is, i can’t save the world all at once nor can you, by yourself. but don’t be disappointed. feel motivated to do what you can! it is all relative. what you think might be a small hill that you moved, may be the biggest mountain to someone else. a little voice often reminds me “even if you touch someone in a small way, it’s still a touch. so be mindful and appreciative of your positive actions towards people. (i especially feel fuzzy when i get a thoughtful email from you fine folks)
photo by KENTA
this great DAILYOM article beautifully puts it:
“As we live our lives in this world, we share our energy and our spirit with the people around us in numerous ways. Our influence touches their lives and, through them, touches the lives of many more people. When we strive to live our lives to the fullest and to become our true selves, we are doing something big on an inner level, and that is more than enough to make sense of our being here on this planet at this time. There is no need to hold ourselves to an old idea in the back of our minds that we need to make headlines or single-handedly save the world in order to validate our existence.
We can each look within our hearts to discover what is true for us, what gives our lives meaning, and what excites us. We can release ourselves from any pressure to perform that comes from outside of our inner sense of purpose. Staying in tune with our own values and living our lives in tune with our own vision is all we need in order to fulfill our time here. Our lives are a process of becoming so that we cannot help but cocreate; being who we are, responding to each moment as it comes, we can trust that this is enough.”
vanae’s tip of the dae: reach out and touch someone! help a complete stranger. read a book to children. visit a senior. let me know what small touch you’ve made today!
Nice reminder to us all.
Although I wear a cape and tights, I also know that I can’t change the world by myself. I do however for the past ten years, have automatic deductions from my paycheck to 3 different children’s organizations. I also donate when I know of a disaster, such as the tsunami of South East Asia and Brad Pitt’s Katrina help fund (bless his heart).
On a daily bases or so, I do the small things when I can. I may help an elderly person by carrying a heavy bag up the stairs on the subway for them. Donate clothes to the local church. Provide CPR to a stranger if I come across the situation (I have 3 times so far). Feed the less fortunate that I come across almost daily on the streets.
I decided long ago that I can’t depend on others to take a stance in the cause for humanity and kindness. It begins with me, so I take my stance.
Cheers!
Something of this nature is exactly what has gotten me down these days.
See, I am a [Subburban-ite] of Detroit.
I spend alot of time downtown, mostly the parts refered to as Greek Town (For the effin casino), the Cultural District and around Wayne State University…
In these areas I know alot of the “bums” by name. And let me tell ya, you have to be an almost mad person yourself to get on a personal level with some of these personalities that survive on the streets.
I donate to these guys, if you call giving them more then a couple dollars charity, or giving them (Mike) a 40oz because he has no money and he is physiclly in pains that I have never experienced because of no alchohol in his system…
Does this make me a bad person?
Yeah I know its not good to give in. But can you imagine being thrown out of a Vetrans hospital to spend the remainder of your life on the streets? That is EXACTLY what happen to these guys!!! And it PISSES me off to no points end.
So I say if an old timer NEEDS a drink to survive, i’d be more then ablidged to help him. Cause thats what we are trying to do, help those in need… And who am I to say what needs are to be met. His days are numbered, thats reality… He will die on the streets, he knows that. But even so, while he is here and while he is alive he is an addict, and as sad as it is I hope the man can drink it away, because the bottle is all he has.
I know alot of these guys and i spent alot of time with some of them over the years.
And I find it so funny that Detroiters look down on these fellas (Let me tell ya the general public in these parts are “Oh So Far” above them; MUCH sarcasm) and scorn those that lend them a hand. Especially those like myself who will provide them with more then just a little chump change.
I dont know where im going with this I guess I just want to put this idea out there “sometimes what people need is not what we want them to have…”
I envy those of you who have the heart felt warmth and courage to give all you can.
I don’t have a rad cape and black tights guys
but around here its always easy to find a 40oz of Red Strip or black and mild, in my world thats the only cold truth there is.
hey bobby, thanks for reaching out to people and lifting the spirit!
hey locus,
the fact that you actually take the time to give a lending ear and companionship to these individuals is much bigger than the $$ you give. i commend you for that.
i’ve always wanted to take out homeless people out for lunch/dinner and hear them out. i believe that homelsss people need someone to listen to them as human beings and be aware of them. sure, food-alcohol-shelter is important, but expression and being listened to is as important.
heck, people with high paying jobs and the ‘perfect’ life need people to talk, share and communicate with..let alone homeless people.
thanks for sharing the realness locus!
this will be dedicated to Gerald, my homeless homie in my neighborhood.
thanks for making me think of Gerald
=)
vanae
In the words on Bobby.
Cheers!!!
I really like that pic with all the post-it notes on the wall. My fiancée and I have hit a problem in finding time to communicating with each other.
I’m still in med-school and working part time in a studio trying to be the provider of our future family.
She has just moved here from the Philippines and has a job as a journalist, interviewing people on the street.
So to cheer her up, I have decided to fill our whole apartment with post-it notes strategically placed containing keywords to reminisce about old memories together, when we were children. A bunch of yellow sticky notes is much interesting then a nice dinner and flowers.
Thanks for the inspiration, Vanae.