I just had an experience that clarified my position on an issue close to my heart.
My trip this morning took my past a street person on the way to the supermarket.
I noticed that he had a coffee and a cigarette. It was someone who I have seen begging in numerous places in my community.
Me being me, I said ‘I see you have a coffee. How are you?’ He looked sad and said ‘I need $20 for medication’. Me with my bleeding heart said. . . ‘I will just get some change from the supermarket and come back to you’.
I bought a small block of cheese and a tub of hummus and paid by card, getting $7 cash. I went outside and said, ‘Waht is your name? He told me and I said ‘here is some money, please get some help.’
He took the money and I could tell he didn’t appreciate it all that much. It was free money, I guess.
Policy on donating to beggars
On the way home I recalled what my policy is with giving beggars money. I will give them money if they are doing something for it. Whether that is art, or writing, or anything really. I just want to see them trying to make their lives better.
And while, this site is dedicated to helping people with their businesses, (and I need experience in this area), I am now reflecting on ideas I had about how to help build industry and work opportunities for people who don’t have money, and who are downtrodden and forgotten and who may rely on substances to get through their days.
I am wondering if I could take that idea and do something with it. . . it could perhaps start by helping one person to build a business, perhaps. . . And they would have to want it. The thing with money is that it makes you hungry for doing things for society. Hopefully positive things, but anything that helps the individual grow as a person and brings abundance into their life.
Providing mental health support along the way
I would also hope that via this process of support for business, that I could provide social and mental health support to people who needed it. I need to learn how to do that. And there is a course that I have my eye on, so perhaps I should enrol this week.