Reflection and gratitude

[Tombstone]

I was at a Target store tonight with my wife and one of my children. I saw something which caused me to reconsider my views on what matters in life and some of my past behaviors.

I saw a young woman, the woman had a child, the child was about two years old. The mother looked tired,a little stressed, and had a look of sadness on her face. The young woman had worn but clean clothes on. She obviously cared about her child by the way the child looked/cared for. The young woman was not standing in an isle, rather off to the side between racks of clothing where she was out of view to the public who was not watching her anyway. The woman was looking into her shopping cart. There was not much in the cart and what she did have in the cart she stared at and left most of it, basic items that most anyone on this site would have ample supply of. The only item she kept was some baby food.

She did not ever see me looking at her, The mother hugged her child and walked off baby food in hand.

I got angry at myself. I was wearing one of several Rolex watches I own
and this young mother could barely afford food for her baby. I think it's time for me take a step back and be thankful for what I have. Yes I worked for what I have many years of college and post grad work, gave service to our country, raised a family, and worked 80 hour weeks for so long I forgot what a day off was, but some where I have forgotten about basic human kindness.

I won't go into details but I made the situation right, and I hope to continue doing so in other areas when I can. I Wrote about this incident to bring to public view the obvious people are still suffering and many are just trying to get by one day at a time. I think of how I obsessed over my gun collection and Rolex collection (my life's little rewards) and I see something like this... And I knew I was wrong Rolex watches are great, I love them but with suffering which is all around I may need to rethink this.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

[luvchnl]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It really touches my heart. I wish all people would have this compassion for others as you do. It really hurts me when I see things like this. You are a wonderful human being Richard.

Your story brings me back to an incident when my husband and I went to eat out with friends. There was a homeless man in the shopping center of the restaurant. My husband wanted to give him money and a friend was sort of trying to push my husband along with some not too nice comments that I can't remember exactly.
Well my husband gave the man some money and also invited him into the restaurant and told the man to order whatever he wanted on the menu. We let the waitress know that we were going to cover the bill for his table. The man ordered a plate of food, ate it, and thanked my husband for the food and money afterwards. He was so grateful.
Another time my husband and I noticed a man on the beach of Fort Lauderdale digging through the trash bins. My husband got out of the car and handed the guy some money. He does things like this often, but these two incidents really affected me.
My husbands compassion for others is one of the reasons I love him dearly. He has taught me so much.

We have to have compassion for others, because we have to think, what if we were in their shoes? It could happen to anyone.

[dualcarb]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is good to see compassion for our fellow human still alive and strong. It makes me take a step back and reflect as well. Bless you and all that is kind of heart.

Patrick

[rg9390]

Thanks for the touching story. Sometimes, I wonder is it really worth getting a job done perfect - pushing yourself and people around you to the limit, or good enough and spend the extra time to those who are in need.

It could be someone on the street homeless, or could simply be your family.

[Mick P]

Tombstone

You have no reason to feel guilty.

When you buy a Rolex, you spend X amount of money which keeps your retailer and his staff in a job. Those people pay tax which feeds back into society.

The retailer then pays Rolex and Rolex pays its staff and suppliers who in turn pay their staff and suppliers etc etc.

Your money has filtered down and has helped to put food on the table for many people.

You have done your bit for mankind.

Regards

Mick

[busytimmy]

I needed to hear this. Thanks.

[Watchvirgin]

Awesome!! Very touching and very good of you!

Way to go my friend.

[cop414]

Touching story Richard. After reading it I decided to "pass it on" in relationship to your kind act. Bear in mind that your actions might trickle down all over the world, good for you. We do often loose sight of just how lucky many of us are.

[SUBversive]

Thanks for sharing this.

[nyyankees]

Great post. I think about this often and it has changed me for the better.

[Kingair]

Nice stories !

Thanks for sharing

[77T]

Good on you

Every now and then we lose touch with the reason food pantry charities have empty shelves - or why the tables are full at our local school's hot lunch program...

Discretionary charitable contributions are one way for you/us to help but the need will almost always outstrip the supply.

So what's to do?

Today, many of our TRF community will be wearing a watch that exceeds the average annual income in their corner of the world - or even the world at large.* (BTW, nothing wrong with that - you and I are fortunate, but we likely earned our funds via long years of hard work.)

Maybe we need to consider forming our own TRF Foundation to accept and distribute funds to struggling families?

Random acts of kindness are great - I get the warm, fuzzy feeling and the "reality check" it provides (that we are indeed fortunate beyond words).

But regular donations to worthy local programs plus some worldwide programs might be the best effort most of us can make.


* Per the BBC: The total value of world income is closing in on $70 trillion (£43.9tn) per year, and there are seven billion people in the world, so the average income is heading towards $10,000 (£6,273) per person per year.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Tombstone

You have no reason to feel guilty.

When you buy a Rolex, you spend X amount of money which keeps your retailer and his staff in a job. Those people pay tax which feeds back into society.

The retailer then pays Rolex and Rolex pays its staff and suppliers who in turn pay their staff and suppliers etc etc.

Your money has filtered down and has helped to put food on the table for many people.

You have done your bit for mankind.

Regards

Mick

I think what the OP did goes beyond the obvious. It's about making the effort, recognizing that poverty exists, people struggle etc., and taking action. Yes we all passively contribute by paying our share of tax, buying things and the trickle down effect it has in the broader economy etc..... But acts of random kindness like this are what truly make the difference, and sets certain people apart.

I shall make an effort today, to pass on a random act of kindness. Thank you for this post, and for reminding us all or how fortunate we are.

cheers:

[East Bay Rider]

Thank you for helping her. Babies are expensive and it can be overwhelming. She showed her priorities by leaving the other items and only taking the food so you know her heart is in the right place. I know we shouldn't judge but we do. I hope her situation changes for the better soon but at least you made a difference right now.

[GerardoG]

Thank you for sharing; a reality check is a much needed thing we should all perform frequently!

[joli160]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Thank you for sharing; a reality check is a much needed thing we should all perform frequently!

this ^^^^^^

Respect Richard

[Thatguy]

Good post!

[Presa canary]

Heart felt story. Poverty is real the world over. I need to be reminded of this more often and do even more. Thanks

[brettpaul]

Great to hear these types of stories guys....when I was growing up my parents did the best they could and if it weren't for others acts of kindness who knows what would have happened to us....even then my parents did what they could to share what little they had...every act, no matter how small, makes a difference to someone...you can believe that!!

[Tombstone]

Thanks everyone for your kind words, I am truly greatfull for all of you and the chance to be here on this form.

[bp1000]

I had a mini meltdown (maybe wrong word) recently after having dinner somewhere in central london. I walked several blocks back to my hotel with the wife and walked past several homeless people some looking in a bad state.

In a state of relaxation and reflection I struggled with the huge gap in circumstances I witnessed that night. There is no easy way to say this but I really struggled with the fact these people begged on the street in dirty clothes for pennies (hopefully for food) and perhaps collected a small amount. In the time it took me to walk from my restaurant to hotel I might have made what they do in a year begging in those conditions. It was made all the more poignant as for me that night i had had a good meal and was heading to a comfy bed. The two basic requirements those people would give anything for.

It isn't easy to discuss and I spent a good amount of time discussing it with my wife that night.

I've come to the conclusion that this isn't something you can control. I've helped others before and will continue to do so while I can. Providing you have compassion and continue to help others you are doing your part.

Thanks for sharing your story

[Frogdog]

Thanks for sharing! The fact that you were so moved by what you saw is a true testament to your character. My father is one of the most genuinely compassionate man I know and would give you the shoes off his feet (literally I've witnessed it)! He taught me from a young age the it's ok to have nice things as long as you remain grateful and give back to your fellows whenever possible! Great reminder....thank you! 👍

[rle737ng]

Thanks for sharing. It reminds me that I haven't taken unneeded items to a local thrift store recently. Time to go look in the basement and gather up some donations.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Great story, thank you for sharing.

As others have said, you should not feel bad for what you have, being grateful for it is a great attitude though. As for giving to others, doing it because you want to do it makes you feel great (I know it does it for me), taking the initiative of trying to help others and liking it is a great attitude and I commend you for what you did.

[BomB#Frog]

Good on you my man! Its easy for us to get comfortable and look past the struggle that going on around us. You are a conscious and compassionate person and the world needs more like you. So many people have been affected by the recession. I personally know a couple people who were doing very well for many years before they were hit hard. One is still struggling to find a well paying job, another is working two full time jobs and one part time job just to get by. Its hard to support a family, scrape by with three jobs, and still have enough time and energy to prospect new opportunities with such little time and energy. The cycle of poverty can be quite brutal.

[vitalsignsrn]

Great story...certainly provokes thought & insight in to ourselves doesn't it?!

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Great story...certainly provokes thought & insight in to ourselves doesn't it?!

This thread could be made a sticky for just those reasons.