I saw a Facebook post today from a woman whom I have
'watched' struggle with homelessness over the last year. She just recently got
off the street and is now employed and has a home. I heard and understand her
words so deeply - and I am really saddened by what she overheard, but it is the more common
attitude out there these days.
Just thought you would appreciate this, my friends. I know
you are part of the solution and will remember to be kind and compassionate, not cruel to those seeking help.
(From a formerly homeless woman, Tacoma, WA, 5.15.19, Facebook group OthersHelpingOthers)
Just
some thoughts...
Today, I was on the bus. A woman sitting across from me said “Our city needs to do something about these homeless people ! They are disgusting ! And, they’re not going to go away until we stop standing for it and force them to get off their lazy butts and get a job !!”.
I could feel tears forming in my eyes.
A lady in front of me said to her “How would you feel if you were homeless and being talked about that way ? “....
So... here I am, writing this post.
How would you feel if you knew that each day you had to hang your head down in shame as you passed by people who were “disgusted” by you ? As if being homeless isn’t enough by itself...
Do you think that you would feel motivated to seek employment or housing if you had no self confidence left in you ? How about if you knew that the reaction of most people when they saw you was not a pleasant one and most would shake their heads at you as if to tell you that you were not worthy of a good life and that you deserved to be where you are ?
Would you be excited for your future ?
Many homeless people do not choose the lifestyle. I was one of them. There seems to be a view out there that being homeless is easy... well, it isn’t.
And, it’s very humiliating.
How much hope would you have if you were homeless and alone ?
Please try to remember that every homeless person is somebody’s mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, etc. ...
Have compassion in your heart.
When I was homeless and a stranger smiled at me... it made me happy inside.
It made me feel accepted. And, most of all: it made me want to go on and do better.
When you put down a homeless person... it is not a reflection of who they are but rather... a reflection of who YOU are....
So, be a part of the solution rather than the problem.
Just be kind.
You just never know what a difference you may make ...
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
Today, I was on the bus. A woman sitting across from me said “Our city needs to do something about these homeless people ! They are disgusting ! And, they’re not going to go away until we stop standing for it and force them to get off their lazy butts and get a job !!”.
I could feel tears forming in my eyes.
A lady in front of me said to her “How would you feel if you were homeless and being talked about that way ? “....
So... here I am, writing this post.
How would you feel if you knew that each day you had to hang your head down in shame as you passed by people who were “disgusted” by you ? As if being homeless isn’t enough by itself...
Do you think that you would feel motivated to seek employment or housing if you had no self confidence left in you ? How about if you knew that the reaction of most people when they saw you was not a pleasant one and most would shake their heads at you as if to tell you that you were not worthy of a good life and that you deserved to be where you are ?
Would you be excited for your future ?
Many homeless people do not choose the lifestyle. I was one of them. There seems to be a view out there that being homeless is easy... well, it isn’t.
And, it’s very humiliating.
How much hope would you have if you were homeless and alone ?
Please try to remember that every homeless person is somebody’s mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, etc. ...
Have compassion in your heart.
When I was homeless and a stranger smiled at me... it made me happy inside.
It made me feel accepted. And, most of all: it made me want to go on and do better.
When you put down a homeless person... it is not a reflection of who they are but rather... a reflection of who YOU are....
So, be a part of the solution rather than the problem.
Just be kind.
You just never know what a difference you may make ...
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
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