I've always been suspicious of the high profile good Samaritan. I think it's a good thing to help others in need. But I have to question the motives of those who seek notoriety for the good deeds. Although many services are available to help the homeless, do these services really improve their situation?
There are those that operate to help others in need as the nothing for themselves and seeking no credit or notoriety. These are normal everyday people with a genuine compassion for their fellow man. These people are our everyday angels.
I've only met a few of these people who generally make a difference in people's lives. They do not offer charity but allow for those willing to work to earn an honest day's pay.
One such gentleman I worked with at my job at the local newspaper. Our night shift worked well into the night and finished during the early morning hours. Our press room foreman would allow a homeless man to sweep the papers off the floors. At the end of our shift the foreman would pay the man from his own pocket.
The lady in our neighborhood would ask me to assist her in buying Wholesale Foods once a month. We would take the food back to her house. With the assistance of another kind lady she would prepare the food during the night and make plate lunches. She would ask her friend to take these lunches to the local shelter and deliver them to the cooking staff. She would accept no payment for the food or even reveal her identity.
I've often wondered what reward these people get in return for such selfless acts of kindness. When we're made aware of such people we often feel the need to honor them in some way. In both situations I was sworn to secrecy. Not only did they seek no reward it was important to them not to be honored in any way. This made their deeds truly selfless acts of kindness.
Some people say kindness is its own reward. Could there be some truth to this? I found myself doing the same at nearly every opportunity. First it began by purchasing an extra lunch at the local restaurant and giving it to the homeless man sitting at a table with nothing. Almost immediately I noticed something. Some people would just ignore this act. There were some who were visibly agitated to see a homeless man provided food.
During the holidays you often see an increase in acts of charity. There are people who ring their bells outside every storefront. Their brightly colored signs advertise this is the season of giving. I began to see the cold logic behind the selfless acts of our everyday angels. Could we really be as callous to think the homeless and hungry should only receive help during the holidays? I could not help but feel this had become my responsibility.
I honestly cannot explain why that I could no longer feel secure in my own home. How many of us are one paycheck away from poverty? How many of us are dependent on the economy for the very food our tables? I began to see how narrow the distance was between me and those less fortunate. As if it wasn't enough to be destitute, our less fortunate are often viewed with disgust. I had once asked my press room foreman why he provided work for people out of his own pocket. I expected some sort of religious answer. He simply said, "I would rather be a destitute soul than a wealthy shell."
Previously Posted on FullofKnowlege.com
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