Re: JUST DO SOMETHING <For Alice>

[Guest guest]

Alice,

I absolutely loved this!! Yes, we have been conditioned to

think negative things of people in need on a street corner. I was

guilty of that for a long time. Now I think to myself, as I give, I

say a prayer that whatever it is, money, food, that this person use

this gift for good. I made it more simple for myself than thinking

this person is a drug addict, etc....I put myself in their

shoes...One day I could be the one on the corner freezing without a

home and food for a baby or myself. In life there are no certainties

except Love...- I am pretty sure will agree, hehe Love, LUNA

-- In , " Alice " <alichee@...> wrote:

>

> JUST DO SOMETHING

>

> I once stopped behind several cars in an intersection.

>

> The winter weather was icy cold and a strong artic wind blew

relentlessly.

>

> Ahead of me a young woman stood alongside the street rubbing her

bare hands together and dancing in place to keep warm.

>

> Beside her rested a sign that read, " I have a baby and no food. "

>

> She was obviously crying, likely from the pain of the cold wind.

>

> Homeless and unemployed people are a common sight in many of our

larger cities, and most motorists drive by without offering

assistance.

>

> They have no doubt been taught that giving money fosters a

dependent lifestyle, or the ready cash may be used to purchase

alcohol or another substance rather than the food it was intended

for.

>

> Like me, they may have been taught that one should give to a local

charity or through one's church, as these institutions can help those

in need far more effectively.

>

> This, of course, is true, but I am reminded of the college students

who encountered a homeless man on the sidewalk.

>

> One of the students took a couple of dollars from his wallet and

handed it to the unfortunate stranger.

>

> His friend commented, " Why did you do that? He's just going to

spend it on booze or drugs. "

>

> The student answered, " Yeah...like we're not! "

>

> As I waited for the light to turn, I felt conflicted about that

young woman.

>

> Whether or not I should give money, she was obviously in need.

>

> And whether or not she actually had a baby really didn't seem to

matter.

>

> I gave up guessing people's motives and analyzing their stories

long ago.

>

> It was cold.

>

> She was cold.

>

> And she obviously felt she had to be there.

>

> What should I do?

>

> Give her money?

>

> What was best?

>

> As I wrestled with these questions, the window rolled down from the

car in front of me and a hand shot out holding a warm pair of gloves.

>

> The driver took her own gloves off and gave them to the shivering

woman.

>

> I saw the young woman mouth the words " Thank you " as a broad smile

lit up her face.

>

> As I debated, somebody else helped.

>

> As I hesitated, somebody else acted.

>

> As I tried to decide the BEST way to assist, somebody else just did

what she could.

>

> As I did nothing, she did something.

>

> I made myself a pledge that day to always do SOMETHING.

>

> Whether it is big or small, just do something.

>

> Something is almost always better than nothing!

>

> Educator Leo Buscaglia said, " Too often we underestimate the power

of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest

compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the

potential to turn a life around. "

>

> Don't underestimate what you CAN do!

>

> Each of us can do something, and the something you do may be more

important than you'll ever know.

>

> By Steve Goodier

>

>

>

>

> This email was cleaned by Gaia Tidy Mail, available for free from

http://www.printcharger.com

>