Lessons From the Homeless

LESSON LEARNED:
Everyone needs to have protection

STORY:
When serving the homeless, at times, an individual may get unruly. This good man makes certain that we are watched over.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON:
Feeling safe, stable, and secure is fundamental to our wellbeing. When we feel safe, we find it easier to reach peace-of-mind and focus on the present.

LESSON LEARNED: Share with others

STORY: This good man received oatmeal, watermelon, muffins and other items to eat. He was filled. When we were cleaning up he asked if he could have the last oatmeal for his canteen, and we said yes. Another great brother came to the table to find that all of the food was gone. This gentleman then poured his oatmeal from his canteen into a cup to share with him.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: Sharing makes you more significant than you are. The more you give to others, the more life you can receive.

LESSON LEARNED: Develop or improve a character trait

STORY: We have been serving this individual for months. One morning he said to us, “You have compassion and I have none.” He then said, “I will work on it.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: A person with a good character finds acceptance wherever he goes and respected by all.

Please follow. I post lessons that I learn from serving the homeless.

LESSON LEARNED: Think of others

STORY: The man on the right asked if we still had some food. We replied and said, “Yes, but we are almost out”. He took a drink and a cup of oatmeal and left. He returned and asked again if we still had food as I was scooping up the last cup of oatmeal. He said, “I gave my oatmeal and drink to my friend in the wheelchair”. He willingly gave his food away not knowing if there would be any left for him.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: Putting others first is a form of enlightened self-concern. It is in our best interest to do so, because living to love others is far more fulfilling than living to gratify ourselves.

LESSON LEARNED: Think of others

STORY: The man on the right asked if we still had some food. We replied and said, “Yes, but we are almost out”. He took a drink and a cup of oatmeal and left. He returned and asked again if we still had food as I was scooping up the last cup of oatmeal. He said, “I gave my oatmeal and drink to my friend in the wheelchair”. He willingly gave his food away not knowing if there would be any left for him.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: Putting others first is a form of enlightened self-concern. It is in our best interest to do so, because living to love others is far more fulfilling than living to gratify ourselves.

LESSON LEARNED: You can trust everyone to some degree

STORY: This gentleman said to us, “You can trust me to approach the table and get some food, you can trust me to have a two minute conversation, but you might not trust me if I asked you to take me somewhere in your car.” The point he made was that you can trust any individual to some level.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: When we have been wronged by another, we typically say “I cannot trust that person ever again.” That is not true. We may not be able to trust that individual with a particular situation but we can still trust them in many other areas of life. Restoring trust can be earned to its fullest by trusting in the areas where a person can be trusted.

LESSON LEARNED: Always say, “Please and Thank You”

STORY: This morning our good friend asked, “Can I PLEASE have some food, after he was served he said THANK YOU.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: PLEASE and THANK YOU are simple words but can still have an impact on someone. It seems that this basic etiquette is missing from society and needs to be used more often.

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LESSON LEARNED: Our choices matter

STORY: After speaking with some of our brothers and sisters, a few of them shared stories of choices that they have made that led them down a path they wish they had not gone.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON: Our choices matter. Each choice we make can take us down a path of happiness or unhappiness, but the important thing is that we all learn and grow from our decisions.

LESSON LEARNED: Take care of what you have

STORY: We asked this man what he was doing and he replied “I’m sweeping my porch.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON:
Be respectful of the things we have, no matter how much or how little. We are a steward over the things we have been blessed with.

LESSON LEARNED:
Each of us are different. Accept others for who they are.

STORY: While serving we have become friends with many in the camps. Our thoughts and beliefs may differ, however, we have common ground, in that we all have good.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON:
Do not judge, freedom to speak, find the good in others and respect other’s opinions.

LESSON LEARNED:
Accept others gifts with gratitude and grace

STORY:
When handing out turkey dinners, one individual accepted the meal with much gratitude. After he ate he returned with a gift for me. He presented a fishing reel. He said, “This is for you.” For a split second I thought, “I don’t need your gift.” Oh how I would have offended him in so many ways.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON:
Rejecting his gift would have conveyed all the wrong message. Giving and receiving is a bond between people that shows gratitude and appreciation for one another

LESSON LEARNED: Don’t be Greedy

STORY: We were prepared to have all of the donated clothes taken within minutes. We saw the complete opposite. Our brothers and sisters respected the clothing as though it was a shopping experience. They only took what they needed and respected the others that were also in need of clothes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LESSON:
People who are greedy can never be happy in their life because greed can never be satisfied. Greed for wealth and power is the chief villain of our woes or troubles.