Jan 5th, 2021: A New Year's Commitment - Kindness and Truth

 It's time to change the conversation around homelessness

I went for a walk in a park yesterday afternoon and hope that I have some time to think about what I had heard during that day. It was an intense day as I listened to people and what they experienced during the holidays. Relationship problems, struggles with anxiety, dealing with rejection, caring for elderly grandparents with dementia, loss of work, death of a friend were part of my conversations within the first 5 hours of the day.


The walk was not as relaxing as I hoped. Some people seemed to forget that they needed to pick up after their dogs. I had to pay attention to where I was walking, and that was not therapeutic. Honestly, I was a bit irritated. Don't get me wrong. I like dogs, but I will be a happier camper if people bag their dog's poop on these walking trails. 


In some ways, that might be how most of us get ourselves into trouble. We believe that we deserve all of the pleasure of life while we don't have the moral fortitude to take responsibility for "shitty" things in life. Sometimes, we would prefer to leave the mess for other people to clean up.


Being kind doesn't mean condoning irresponsibility. I have learned this by dealing with homeless people. I will be kind but by no means do I feel responsible for their choices. I will not give in to manipulation. Being kind is to grant others a chance to regain their humanity and walk with them if possible. That includes being responsible.


Today will be a new day, and it is a gift to have it. It is also a gift to others when we tell the truth in love as we go through this day together.


Proverbs 3: 3

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart."

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