on August 8, 2015
I've always lived my life with the motto, "Treat others how you want to be treated," imprinted in the back of my mind. The time of age we live in is so fast paced and busy that, I feel, we sometimes forget to acknowledge one another. Especially in these days, where we need the kindness of others to get us through our most grueling days. With our society experiencing death, poverty and hatred on our televisions and shared through social media on a regular basis, it is no wonder we have become so disconnected from each other.
That is why, I feel, random acts of kindness is such an important thing that we should hold dear to us. It is the one thing in this world that tells people, "Hey! Not every person in this world is a monster! The boogeyman isn't always hiding underneath your bed at night. I care about you and I respect you as a human being, and I want to share my appreciation with you. Whether you are having a terrible day or the best day of your life!!"
That is why I try to do something kind as often as I can. My biggest "acts of kindness" targets are definitely the homeless. Being someone that has been in their shoes has definitely opened my eyes to the big problem that is homelessness. When you actually sit down and you get to know someone that is homeless, when you actually take the time to listen to their stories and how they fell on hard times, it makes you realize that not all homeless are drug addicts or alcoholics. It makes me so angry because the homeless community gets such a bad rep because of this. Nothing boils my blood more than to hear someone say "I'm not going to help you, you druggie. Get a job and maybe you will become a hard working citizen like the rest of us."
Sometimes I will do something small to help the homeless. If I see a homeless man walking down the street and I have freshly bought food in my hands, I will give it to him because he needs it more than I do. Once when I was homeless, a deaf woman asked me for spare change to get a cheeseburger. At that time, I only had about $4 to my name and I thought to myself, "She needs it more. Don't be selfish, give it to her." But the most particular instance that still brings a tear to my eyes is the man I would see everyday on my way to work.
My story starts out like any old story. I was walking to work one day, a Starbucks in hand and a smile on my face. I suddenly saw a man standing on the corner of the store I worked at, holding a sign that said "Vietnam vet. Anything would help." I immediately checked my bag to see if I had any change. I usually use my atm card, but sometimes I am lucky enough to have change. I ended up only having a few cents but I figured he could probably still use it. I walked up to him and said, with a big smile, "Hello! How are you today?" He was a bit hesitant and replied with a, "I'm doing okay, and yourself?" "Great! It's a beautiful day!" I said. "I only have a few cents on me today. It isn't much, but I figured you could still use it." I placed the money in his hand an he gave me an appreciative smile. I smiled back, wished him well, and was on my way. After this encounter I started to see this man on a regular basis. He would stand on the corner, and anytime I walked passed him I would offer him food from my jobs vending machine. "I don't really have food right now, but our vending machine sells noodles if you want me to make you some!" I would say. And he replied with a "Thank you, but I've already eaten. I'm just looking for a place to sleep." I don't know why, but this bothered me. I think it bothered me the most because I wanted to help him with a place to sleep so badly, but I wasn't able to at that time. So I made a promise to myself. If I ever see him when I am financially able to help, I am going to do it. No questions asked. It started getting colder and I wouldn't see him as often, but I would still walk to work in hopes of seeing him. "If he is there I am going to give him my jacket," I would say to myself. But I stopped seeing him on that corner. Until one day I finally saw him when I clocked out for work. I approached him with a big smile. I asked him "Where are you sleeping tonight?" "Most likely in my car," he said to me. I looked at him. "It's too cold to sleep in your car." I said. "There is a Motel 6 right up the street. If you can wait 30 minutes I will buy you a motel room. Would you like that?" All of a sudden his eyes lit up, and my heart lifted. He was so appreciative and was at a lost for words. I walked up the street, explained to the front desk associate why I was getting the room, I received the room key and walked back to him. "This is your room key. When you get there, the front desk associate will help you switch my information to yours. I have extra cash if you need any food or anything." I said to him. He took the key and said "No, this is all I need. You have no idea how much this means to me. Not a lot of people are kind like this. Is it okay if I hug you?" he asked me. I gave him the biggest smile and said "Of course you can!" and gave him the biggest, warmest hug I possibly could.
I only saw this man once after this incident. He expressed how happy he was that I had bought a room for him and explained how tough it was being homeless. I told him my story, and how although I was able to make ends meet I still knew what it was like not getting help from people. I wish I could have seen more of this man. I don't know why I grew so attached to him, but I always promised myself that if I saw him I would help him out. I even wanted to help him look for a job if need be.
Well, if you made it through my entire blog then thank you so much for reading! I also want to challenge you guys. Do something random for someone else. Whether it is helping the homeless or helping the elderly like Lexileggo, anything can make an impact on someones life. I promise you, you will feel like a completely new person. Nothing is more satisfying than helping others. Random acts of kindness....you should do it too
That is why, I feel, random acts of kindness is such an important thing that we should hold dear to us. It is the one thing in this world that tells people, "Hey! Not every person in this world is a monster! The boogeyman isn't always hiding underneath your bed at night. I care about you and I respect you as a human being, and I want to share my appreciation with you. Whether you are having a terrible day or the best day of your life!!"
That is why I try to do something kind as often as I can. My biggest "acts of kindness" targets are definitely the homeless. Being someone that has been in their shoes has definitely opened my eyes to the big problem that is homelessness. When you actually sit down and you get to know someone that is homeless, when you actually take the time to listen to their stories and how they fell on hard times, it makes you realize that not all homeless are drug addicts or alcoholics. It makes me so angry because the homeless community gets such a bad rep because of this. Nothing boils my blood more than to hear someone say "I'm not going to help you, you druggie. Get a job and maybe you will become a hard working citizen like the rest of us."
Sometimes I will do something small to help the homeless. If I see a homeless man walking down the street and I have freshly bought food in my hands, I will give it to him because he needs it more than I do. Once when I was homeless, a deaf woman asked me for spare change to get a cheeseburger. At that time, I only had about $4 to my name and I thought to myself, "She needs it more. Don't be selfish, give it to her." But the most particular instance that still brings a tear to my eyes is the man I would see everyday on my way to work.
My story starts out like any old story. I was walking to work one day, a Starbucks in hand and a smile on my face. I suddenly saw a man standing on the corner of the store I worked at, holding a sign that said "Vietnam vet. Anything would help." I immediately checked my bag to see if I had any change. I usually use my atm card, but sometimes I am lucky enough to have change. I ended up only having a few cents but I figured he could probably still use it. I walked up to him and said, with a big smile, "Hello! How are you today?" He was a bit hesitant and replied with a, "I'm doing okay, and yourself?" "Great! It's a beautiful day!" I said. "I only have a few cents on me today. It isn't much, but I figured you could still use it." I placed the money in his hand an he gave me an appreciative smile. I smiled back, wished him well, and was on my way. After this encounter I started to see this man on a regular basis. He would stand on the corner, and anytime I walked passed him I would offer him food from my jobs vending machine. "I don't really have food right now, but our vending machine sells noodles if you want me to make you some!" I would say. And he replied with a "Thank you, but I've already eaten. I'm just looking for a place to sleep." I don't know why, but this bothered me. I think it bothered me the most because I wanted to help him with a place to sleep so badly, but I wasn't able to at that time. So I made a promise to myself. If I ever see him when I am financially able to help, I am going to do it. No questions asked. It started getting colder and I wouldn't see him as often, but I would still walk to work in hopes of seeing him. "If he is there I am going to give him my jacket," I would say to myself. But I stopped seeing him on that corner. Until one day I finally saw him when I clocked out for work. I approached him with a big smile. I asked him "Where are you sleeping tonight?" "Most likely in my car," he said to me. I looked at him. "It's too cold to sleep in your car." I said. "There is a Motel 6 right up the street. If you can wait 30 minutes I will buy you a motel room. Would you like that?" All of a sudden his eyes lit up, and my heart lifted. He was so appreciative and was at a lost for words. I walked up the street, explained to the front desk associate why I was getting the room, I received the room key and walked back to him. "This is your room key. When you get there, the front desk associate will help you switch my information to yours. I have extra cash if you need any food or anything." I said to him. He took the key and said "No, this is all I need. You have no idea how much this means to me. Not a lot of people are kind like this. Is it okay if I hug you?" he asked me. I gave him the biggest smile and said "Of course you can!" and gave him the biggest, warmest hug I possibly could.
I only saw this man once after this incident. He expressed how happy he was that I had bought a room for him and explained how tough it was being homeless. I told him my story, and how although I was able to make ends meet I still knew what it was like not getting help from people. I wish I could have seen more of this man. I don't know why I grew so attached to him, but I always promised myself that if I saw him I would help him out. I even wanted to help him look for a job if need be.
Well, if you made it through my entire blog then thank you so much for reading! I also want to challenge you guys. Do something random for someone else. Whether it is helping the homeless or helping the elderly like Lexileggo, anything can make an impact on someones life. I promise you, you will feel like a completely new person. Nothing is more satisfying than helping others. Random acts of kindness....you should do it too
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