reply to post by JakiusFogg
Hey pal, sorry to hear about that.. Nice video you've found there though. I agree, I think its important to treat loved ones as if its your last day
every day. Not in a melodramatic sense, but if you want to hug them then hug them, if they mean a lot to you, remind them. And never ever leave on bad
terms, its not worth it.
In reality, we each have very few people in our lives that truly would be there for us no matter what - that do not judge us as much as they care for
us. It is important to treat these people with the adequate respect, not only do they deserve it but this compassion will be returned manifold.
It is also important to treat all humans with a sense of compassion, even if it is slightly more reserved. If a homeless guy asks you for change and
you can spare it, spare it. What makes no difference to you can make a large difference to someone else. The 'oh he's just going to spend it on
drink, I'm going to do him a favour and refuse to feed his addiction' argument doesn't stand up.
a) it is wrong to assume that it is the person's fault that they are homeless - nobody would be homeless by choice.
b) this person has nowhere to sleep tonight, its -10 degrees and its going to rain. They have nobody that cares for them enough to provide them with
shelter and have no job prospects, no housing prospects, no family, nothing. They really lost out in life. If I was in that situation, I would drink -
its too cold not to and theres nothing else to provide them with comfort. Kudos to those that don't. But saying 'no, I wont fuel his/her addiction'
is a cop-out, its double greedy - not only are you refusing to part with cash you can spare, but you use this selfishness to try to make yourself
look/feel better.
I can't imagine having to literally resort to begging, everyone that passes you lies to you through their teeth 'oh sorry I dont have any change'
and you know 1 in 50 people must have some change to spare. Don't want to sound preachy, just was thinking about this the other day. I'd hate to be
in that situation.
True charity is a constant thing - the whole point of it is that you sacrifice something to provide someone else with some more happiness. If you can
afford it, tip people, give homeless people change and treat them with dignity. Also, never throw clothes away!
Anyway point is, no need to love everyone but respect them. As Stevie Ray said, the same people that have been kicked for so long when they're down
would be the first to pick you back up again when you're down. The only thing you leave this world with is love.