In my previous post I expressed regret that I didn’t remember the lady that was homeless and offer to help her. Last week I was given another opportunity to help a homeless man and I took that opportunity.
In the beginning I didn’t know this guy was homeless. We just got chatting in the sauna room of the local pool where I go to relax every other day or so. He asked me for the time and later on while I was in the spa pool we started talking about taxation, charity and his ideas about business. He was a nice enough guy, albeit a bit weird. The pools closed soon after and I offered him a ride home. Well, he wanted me to drop him off at a barn out in the middle of nowhere. I figured he was roughing it so I bought him McDonalds and gave him money to stay at a backpackers, only after getting his assurance he would admit himself to the mental health hospital the next day.
It was extremely draining dealing with this guy. By the end of it I was so relieved to be away from this guy. Really I wanted to do more but I did the best I could. It took a couple of days for my energy and enthusiasm to return after that episode and it has taught me just how difficult a problem we have trying to help these people. I have the utmost respect for anyone who has to deal with the mentally ill. It wasn’t easy, but I think paying the kindness I’ve received forward is they way we should all behave. The compounding effect of acting with compassion and generosity is like a snowball rolling down a hill and if we all do our part we can effect positive change in this world we all share.
