You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran
I would like to share a story with you. I was walking in the streets of Cape Town last week when a homeless man on a bench asked me for some change.
I stopped and started looking in my bag for some money. While I was scouring my untidy bag for loose coins he started to mumble something like ‘sorry for wasting my time’ to which I replied that he could never waste my time.
He looked quite startled at this and said that I had got him wrong, he had actually said that most people tell him that he is wasting their time and was really thankful that I had even stopped to talk to him, let alone give him money.
I did manage to fish out a few coins for him, as I handed it over I apologized as it wasn’t much. To this, he replied, ‘it is not the money that has made my day, it is the fact that you even stopped to acknowledge my presence.’ I held back a bit to talk with him and he said something else that I found remarkable but understood him completely.
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. ~Albert Einstein
He said that he was not ‘this’ as he pointed to his disheveled clothes — referring that he was not a vagrant. He said that he was a soul on a journey, just like everyone else, and he has chosen this path to learn something that he still needs to figure out.
I found this man to be a truly courageous and enlightened human being who taught me something very valuable that day. Do not pass anyone by, make sure that the very least you give is your attention — this can be their gold nugget.
Go forth and spread your deeds of delight!
Comments
Cherie Roe Dirksen
Cherie is a self-empowerment author, multi-media artist and musician living in the Klein Karoo, South Africa. She has weekly blogs at her site www.cherieroedirksen.comwhere she discusses practical and insightful perspectives on taking responsibility for your life and following your bliss.You can follow her on Facebook, on Pinterest, on LinkedIn and on YouTube.
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9 Comments
bonni
at 11:31 pm
A smile costs nothing, yet can make the receiver feel on top of the World.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 10:44 am
This is definitely a part of acknowledgement, thanks for bringing up this point. Treat everyone around you like they are your friends and you will see how people open up to you and are truly grateful for that bit of recognition or attention.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 10:41 am
I’m so glad that you have truly questioned this within yourself, Pam. I can guarantee that when you start to use this beautiful gift of acknowledgment, you will feel more connected to the people around you.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 10:36 am
You are so right, Lisa. We are always consciously and unconsciously having an effect on the people around us.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 10:33 am
I think we can all be guilty of turning ‘a blind eye’, it is uncomfortable to see others less fortunate and we can feel so helpless. But just keep in mind, sometimes it just takes a smile or a ‘hello’ to bring light into another persons life.
Robzilla
at 4:48 am
What works even better is empathy. To go to a gas station and put yourself in their shoes…. say for instance “how late you working til?” “any big plans after?” And it’s so low compliance it works virtually every time.
Pam Ahern
at 2:11 pm
What a wonderful story! It made me think… how many times do I stop to acknowledge and look into the eyes of someone asking me for money? After reading your post… not nearly enough. Thank you for bringing to light that which was in the shadows.
lisa pavin
at 8:36 am
Thank you for this article. It is a continual reminder that each of our action has an impact on someone…..whether we are are aware of it or not.
Samantha
at 8:03 am
What an interesting story! I wonder what journey he was on? I am guilty of ignoring beggars, but will try and acknowledge them in future.