Sometimes, it is harder to give...than it is to receive...
I can't think of a better way to start my blog up again than by relaying to you my days experience.
Today, actually started about a month ago, when I heard about a "flash mob of kindness" that was going to happen on Thursday, 4/21/2011. On the Glenn Beck Radio program, Glenn mentioned that he wanted to start a "flash mob" on the 21st of April where people just went out and did something kind for another person. The example that Glenn used was to get a bag of groceries and go to an unemployment office, street corner with someone asking for money, etc. and just walk up to the person, give them a bag of food, tell them that you were in their thoughts and that you hoped that this would help in some small way. Basically, give them the gift of kindness, turn around and walk away. It wasn't about them knowing who it was from or anything other than someone out there cared about them enough to give them a kindness.
When I heard this, I was blown away. Although I had often thought about doing something like this I always felt EXTREMELY uncomfortable following through. When Glenn suggested it, I knew I had to follow through. Little did I know how hard it was going to be.
You would think it would be easy. Grab some groceries and give them to the first homeless person on the corner that you saw... Easy peasey right? Not quite. I had first decided that just a bag of food wasn't enough. In addition I went out to get a copy of Glenn's book "The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life" to add to the gift. Well apparently, other people had the same idea because I couldn't find a copy of the book in any of the bookstores that I went too. When I asked, the people said that it was very strange but the bookstore had sold out ALL of their copies in the last few days. After 4 bookstores I knew that people had the same idea I had. It was no problem however. I had already read the book (twice) and decided that it would mean even more if I gave my copy, dogeared, highlighted and everything, to the person in question.
Sooooooo, I had my food and I had my personal copy of "The 7" and all I had to do was go give it away. I found, that I couldn't however. I had at least 3 options of people I could give it to, but I realized that this gift had to be given to the right person and not just someone who would gobble down the food and toss the book into the nearest trash can.
My first person, was a man of about 55 years, with a long Santa beard, worn down cloths and a shopping cart fully loaded with what seemed like ALL his belongings. It was a no-brainer, right?? I thought so until I parked my car and decided to spend a couple minutes observing the situation. Boy was I disappointed with what I observed. Within 5 minutes, another woman came by and sat down with him, then both pulled out a wad of money and started tallying it in front of the store. I mean, I saw multiple $20's and higher in the stacks. Admittedly, I was pissed, and almost gave up right then and there. I decided not to though.
The next couple I approached were a husband and wife who frequented an intersection near my home. I figured that they might be a good couple in need of some assistance. They were in their usual spot, so I parked my car and brought my bag of groceries out into the center median to the wife. While there, I said that I wanted to give this to her and her husband and that I hoped it would help out in some small way. Her response was, "We don't want your food, do you have any money?" I told her that, no, I didn't, and she asked me to leave because I was distracting the rest of the people from giving her money.
I have to tell you Glenn, at this point I was getting not only angry, but a little depressed. So with close to $50 worth of groceries and my book, I didn't know what to do. So I gave up and went home. I got home and was angry. This was not supposed to be hard! Buy groceries, give them away and feel GOOD about yourself. Well, God doesn't always make things easy.
While watching TV, I began to ponder my situation. Maybe it wasn't supposed to be easy. It was then that I remembered something vague from my morning drive to work. Every morning I see the same guy. He's about 30-ish and at around 6:45am is always heading away from the Wells Fargo with a full camping backpack and a couple of bags. I only ever saw him in the morning but it hit me that maybe he was sleeping somewhere in the parking lot near the bank. It was 10pm, but I left my house anyway and went to the location. Sure enough, there he was with his sleeping bag laid out under the Wells Fargo overhang.
When I got out of my truck with my groceries I had decided to say a few words to him and let him know that there was someone out there who cared. He was sound asleep though so I decided not to wake him. Instead, I placed the bags by his head, opened up the book and wrote on the inside cover a short note.
Dear friend,
Life changes constantly from one day to the next. Some days are good, and some days are bad. This isn't a lot, but hopefully it will help. I hope that this will be the beginning of some better days.
God Bless,
From someone who cares.
This morning, at 6:45am I didn't see him like usual walking down the street so I pulled into the parking lot. There he was, sitting against the wall with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich reading the book. I cried the rest of the drive to work.
Now, I know why Glenn wanted us to do this. It wasn't about being kind to a stranger in need, although that was part of it. Glenn knew that by doing this, it would awaken something within the heart of the giver. He knew that this would be the first step in awakening a greater sense of giving in the individual, and that by doing it April 21st would turn into May 21st which would then turn into twice a month then once a week and then every day.
I appreciate what Glenn has done for me as a person and what he has done for this nation. He has created an army of people who will be there for each other and for perfect strangers in a time of need. Thank you Glenn.
