An author once wrote, “You never truly know someone untill you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.’ This has never been more real than in our society today. Everywhere you look there are people in need. As the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and a huge grand canyon exists in betwen. But with this current trend, not everything is apparent. People of integrity have no need to flaunt their yaghts, fur coats, bank accounts, or VIP status. Some unique individuals even choose to be anonymous- living among us as one of the local poor. What defines “richness” anyway? Your net worth, stocks, bonds, autos, or property? Can a person have nothing and consider himself rich?
In the recent news, a man gave a large sum of money to the Salvation Army, in thanks for their help for many years. He was simple and never seemed to have a penny. In another area, a woman living a solitary life endowed a college with a fortune when she passed. Sadly, no one took notice of her when she was alive.
Most people are too proud to speak when they’re in need of money, food, or companionship, but it would do us well to pay attention to our circle of aquaintences and friends. It all adds up to human kindness. Not with the motivation to ‘share the wealth’ after they’re gone or to spread gossip of another’s misfortune- but to be more connected, more fulfilled, more vibrant.
There was a film a few years ago called ‘Pay it Forward’. Its premise was to do an extraordinary act for another with no strings attached and only one condition for recipients. That they in turn did something extraordinary to help someone else. Faith in humankind is restored. A hand up instead of a hand out. What better thing can you do than repair something broken, help a family feed itself, or give an old person a moment of your time? Take stock of all that you have. Your talents, occupational abilities, family and assets. Remember: money isn’t the object. What you have doesn’t define who you are. Even when you’re down- the only direction to go is up. You may find that more value exists in the American people than meets the eye. We can all walk around with our secret treaures inside ready to ‘pay it forward’ when the time is right and our depressed economy can become un-depressed overnight. The first domino waits to be turned.
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