Saturday, February 14, 2009

Do-gooder out of control...lol

Perception is a very interesting thing. It's like when you find out your pregnant- and then all of the sudden, every commercial on TV is for baby stuff...

It's not like a 'sign' from the Universe- it's that your perception has shifted. You become acutely AWARE of the baby commercials...lol

If you follow this blog- I am an advocate for the homeless and those of us who are suffering. So.."I see homeless" people everywhere..(Like 'I see Dead People')... you would be shocked to know that they are everywhere-regardless of where you live...

Anyway- I went to the gas station in my neighborhood- There was a man standing outside- in the freezing cold at the end of the building- he had on boots that weren't laced- a hoodie under about three other light jackets- he had rubber gloves on under his gloves and he was a little scruffy- and looked tired and worn.

My homeless radar went off. I went in bought my vanilla creamer and a pack of smokes and when I came out and he was still there- so I said "Good Morning!"- he said "good morning"- I said "I'm a minister that does outreach for the homeless- is there anything you need?" He looked at me a little strangely (common) and said "Huh?"
I said, " I'm heading downtown- are you homeless?" His face broke out in a gigantic smile and he started laughing- I though he was going to spill his coffee..

He said "No- I'm waiting for my car to get fixed across the street and came to get a coffee.." I apologized. He said "Wow- thanks for noticing me. It's nice to know that people are out here caring about people." I told him I was glad he had a home- and was OK. he said thanks again!!.....

I think I'm out of control.....lol

Hey- Better safe than sorry- but I'll bet he starts to see homeless people too....lol

Friday, February 13, 2009

Road trip- Marianne takes the kids to the homelss shelter

I am the car pool Mom and take my son and four other kids home ever day.
Yesterday I had been taking donations to various agencies throughout Cleveland.

I picked up the kids and they were being kids- picking on and fighting with each other...
(I say kids but they are in junior high)

So I told them I had to make a stop to drop off one more donation- and I took them to the Men's homeless shelter in downtown Cleveland. I had a load of blankets - and knowing the temperature was going down again, I felt they would be desperately needed.

Well...Divine timing being what it is- we arrived at about 3:30- just when the men are lining up to get in to the shelter for the evening. There were at least 60+ men standing in line with their bags of possessions.
My son goes there all the time- but the others had never been there.
The car got very quiet.

I turned around and explained- In the morning- the shelter makes all the men go out to the street, it seams mean- but if they didn't, they wouldn't look for work- or see how painful this way of life is. I explained that these men have serious problems. Some are addicted to drugs and alcohol- some are mentally ill. Some got out of prison and can't find work- because they have had no education- or their criminal record makes it almost impossible to get a job. But when they come in to the shelter at night- they get food, a bed, a shower, laundry and counseling if they want it- and if they do- they help them get their lives in order. They get them medical- mental health and legal assistance- even tutors from the college come to help them get their GED.

So I told them to lock the doors while I dropped off the blankets.
I walked across the street and all the men said "Hi!!! What 's in the bags- is it food- can I have some???" They were laughing and they even held the door for me. I left the bag at the desk and went right back out. One man yelled- "Will you marry me??" "I yelled back- "You don't want me I'm a lot of work!!" which got a big laugh from the entire group... All the while- 5 pairs of very large eyeballs were watching from the van.

I got back in the car- and we all waved at the men who were waving at us....
I expressed how grateful I am for my life....
It was a pretty quiet ride home....

Monday, February 2, 2009

Compassion- a test from the Universe....

No matter where you are- it's never an accident. From the place you work to the situations and encounters that occur throughout the day. These encounters are not a coincidence-which leads me to my story...

Today I was in Giant Eagle. I live in a relatively Urban part of Cleveland- full of diversity- which I love- and why I have not moved in 12 years... This Giant Eagle it is one of those places where the diversity abounds. There are people from every ethnicity- from every socioeconomic level- and lifestyle. It is a virtual melting pot of humanity.

I don't frequent this store usually because everyone who works there seems unhappy and feels the need to let you know. So I usually have to have my 'psychic armor' on just to shop there.

My Disclaimer before I begin-This is not a judgment this is a spiritual observation of the goings on...lol

Today, I was in the checkout line, and the man running the register was in a very bad mood- picking on and making fun of the other man packing my groceries. He was being very sarcastic and mean- in a kidding way;but what I found most interesting is they both had physical disabilities; one more than the other.

Another employee came up and announced to the others that there were two elderly women begging for money in the parking lot. (they do this all the time-- so they said) Which started a tirade of judgment and opinion about people who beg- and what they 'need to do' about these women.

The customer and cashier from the line next to me chimed in about getting 'tired' of giving money to people who refuse to work or drink it away- "They should get a damn job" said the young man who made the announcement-and they went on and on.

I really couldn't be present to this situation and allow them to spew this intolerance anymore. I said "What about compassion?"They became very quiet. "It's not about the money- it's about compassion. No one wakes up deciding to be in poverty. They may not have the tools to change what's happened- or be aware of what to do next. They may be too proud or naive to ask for help in a better way."

The conversation abruptly ended.

A wave of sadness came over me.
When will we see there is no 'them'? 'They' are 'me' and all of us.
What befalls one, eventually befalls us all- we are all connected.

If you bear witness to these situations- they are the way the Universe presents opportunities to us- to challenge us- to see how we will respond.

Do we apply all the spiritual things we are reading?

Do we walk our talk?

We are being called to rise. To stamp out the darkness that has separated us.
Do you have the courage to answer?

Find the strength to Speak your Truth with love and make a difference in our World.