There are certain things that make me feel super guilty. One of the biggest is passing homeless/begging people on the street and not giving them anything. The thing is, I couldn't possibly afford to give change to every homeless person I see walking down High Street everyday. I'm way too poor for that, I'd go broke. I do try to help with the homeless problem when I can- I volunteer at a homeless shelter and give money to a program designed to get people off the streets. But still, I feel terribly guilty every time I pass up someone asking for change and don't give them any. Like I've shirked my duty toward my fellow man.What makes you feel irrationally guilty?
Prisoner image via Wikipedia.
That used to make me feel guilty, and then onetime I was in Vancouver with my friend and instead of giving him money he bought the guy a 6-inch subway sub, and the guy said he was "allergic to mustard and mayo" and could he please just have the money instead...
ReplyDeleteNow I try to help out the same way you do. I volunteered at a shelter a year ago and spent a few days just hanging out with the people that wandered in and playing Yahtzee with them! Haha. I think that you absolutely should not feel guilty since you volunteer your time that's better than A LOT of people do!
Amber- I know that I probably shouldn't technically feel guilty, but I still do. I guess I always just root for the underdog, and homeless people are often the underdogs.
ReplyDeleteI encourage everyone I know to spend some time around the shelters for homeless or the homes for formerly homeless individuals. There are a lot of great people with amazing stories there. And they are also hardcore competitors when it comes to Cornhole and Bingo!
~Amanda
i find that even if you don't give them any money, just giving a smile and acknowledgment makes a difference. give to those you can, but try to at least lend a smile to those you can't.
ReplyDeletei know what you mean!
xoxox
Hey thanks Mademoiselle- I do try to look at them and let them in the eye know I don't have money (which 9/10 times I'm not carrying cash anyway) but maybe I'll try smiling some more :)
ReplyDelete~Amanda