Stories of Kindness from Around the World

It has been a very, very blessed week of giving simple, sometimes handmade sweets,  beautifully wrapped gifts, and handmade cards to various helpers in the community. I want to thank them for how they go beyond the call of duty with their homespun friendliness. I have walked all over the place - can't drive due to medicine I have to take. It's been wonderful and I have stopped to have warm chats too.

I really wasn't trying to meet my KindSpring Day 18 challenge to make time to listen to someone, but it happened anyway!  In going hither and tither I came across a young man sleeping rough. I admit I was so busy I was going to go past his sign requesting help with just a smile, but as I walked on, I suddenly turned around with a little donation and a Smile Card as well as one of the You Matter cards.

The plan was to give and go but I ended up talking for about an hour. He was very eager to talk to someone about his crisis. He was new to me and turns out he just arrived here under dire circumstances. He brought out his long troubled story of a life in care from infancy, jail time, and undiagnosed mental illness. He believes it could be at the root of his unstable life, though he never stays anywhere long enough to get proper treatment.

This weathered man in his prime brought up his former drug use and how he is trying to stop drinking so much. He was clear that he wants help and wants to improve himself and his life. I asked him if he was interested in what I knew about local services that could probably aid him. He replied a definite yes.

It genuinely was a great pleasure to be able to tell him about the process in our town for this situation, as it used to be my work dealing with just such conditions as he was describing. I told him what to expect from the doctors, social workers, and others in the system. It's not that easy getting on the path to assessment for mental illness ---though it should be better.

Also was able to share what I know about local AA , which might help him and at least was worth a try, and 2 other alcohol and drug centers. And the churches that aid people in trouble or in need of a chat, a meal or coffee. Also some charities that give support in various ways to the mentally distressed or lonely folks in a hard time. 

I wrote this down, gave him directions and all that---as I said, I used to work with or refer people to all these groups. It was great to be able to use this stored up info---I felt it might be useful to him and that gave me a sense of joy to possibly be able to  help.

We shook hands, exchanged names and chitchat too about the season, the cold and his love of the starry sky outside of big cities---the plus he said of sleeping rough and being given cold. I was so so glad I got over my frantic rush and gave him my time.

Now I am wrapping presents of shoes for a needy family's children, and will take a bag of stuff I put together  in a day or so to a charity shop.

It really is better to give then to receive. Giving offers so much inner delight while to receive is a trickier position. We must only ever give what we can, according to our time energy and budget, I believe it's vital to reach out and give to others.

May everyone enjoy a safe and serene holiday.