(Newswire.net — March 7, 2016) — As Spring season approaches it brings to mind signs of renewal. Buds begin to appear on tree branches and soon turn into beautiful leaves. Flowers blossom and splash color over our landscapes. The natural process of earth’s creatures leads them to embrace their place in the cycle of life, contributing to signs of renewal and rebirth. I admire nature’s rhythm, and hold out hope for its balance.
With balance in mind, I was reminded of a movie I watched again recently, titled: Pay It Forward. Many of you have probably seen it. It features a wonderful cast, and focuses on a young boy, Trevor, played by the talented artist Haley Joel Osment, who chooses to do something special, perhaps extraordinary, for at least three people, as part of a class assignment “to do something to change the world and put it into action.”
Trevor’s vision was that the three people he chose to help, would in turn extend a beneficial gesture to three people, so that everyone touched by the initiator’s selflessness would be inspired to “pay it forward.” Trevor was a young and ambitious seventh grader unafraid to dream big. He had not been jaded or scorned by life’s vicious blows, despite the domestic abuse he witnessed in his own family at the hands of his biological father.
Reflecting on this movie reminded me of recent coverage through my cable news page stating that approximately 53,000 Americans living in New York City live in homeless shelters, and are gainfully employed. In Sacramento, California, a twenty five year old man was moved by a homeless person who handed him his resume, which led to the shelter-less man getting a job and a place to live. Many who are employed homeless shelter residents are challenged to find better jobs fearing disclosure of their current address would discourage employers. Some have no one to comfortably turn to after fleeing abusive relationships and trying to create a new, safe start.
Let us not forget the ones who are not homeless, but among the potentially “feeling hopeless” population. These people sometimes have a home in which they live and are not ashamed of. Some are perhaps formally educated and are perceived as valuable citizens in society. But for reasons unknown, they quietly suffer. They struggle to find their agreeable place in this world. They wrestle with conflict because of trauma, their personal appearance, some form of discrimination, family-charged pain and confusion, as well as a long list of other possible reasons. Their silent battle is simply being here.
When I think about the cycle of life and nature’s rhythm, I do not see how an employer looking down on a homeless person’s address fits into that equation. I do not accept that people who feel hopeless are weak and cowardly. Like the Sacramento man who helped a homeless human find work, and a place that became his new home, we can all pay it forward in plain view. It was not a premeditated action on the Sacramento helper’s part. He simply recognized a situation, and made a decision to do something about it by seeing it through.
Little Trevor was in no position to see how his range of view would set a series of positive action into motion. As adults, sometimes we can. Some of us have companies we own, and some of us work for companies in which our voice is valued. If you know someone has fallen on hard times, and is demonstrating they are trying to improve upon their station in life, proudly do what you can to help.
When we act benevolently or responsibly, we leave a humane-centered imprint on the psyche of the recipient that assists in giving them hope, and elevating their spirit, directly or indirectly. It is comforting and morale boosting. In addition, we can never be so caught up in our own sparkle that we become too blind to see the light in others while some of it still shines. This is certainly one way we can attempt to bring more balance and renewal to the cycle of life on the human playing field.
Bearing in mind that we cannot read another person’s thoughts, if you sense someone is feeling a bit down or hopeless, choose to be more positive and non-judgmental. No matter how anyone appears, we do not know if they are grappling with some kind of pain, struggle or despair, and what their next step might be as a result. Our smile, our words, or our actions might make the difference.
There are many things we can do to pay it forward in plain view. Companies can establish seasonal gently used, and new clothing drives encouraging their constituents. This will yield a broad range of clothing items. Shelters for the homeless and abused people can give or loan these clothes to their residents so that they have presentable outfits to wear on interviews, or for other important occasions.
Consider organizing an effort in your own community that can provide at least some immediate emergency assistance to people whose homes have been destroyed or damaged due to nature catastrophes, flooding and fires.
Create a community fund that will assist those who have been devastated physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically by their placement in a country that is or has been engaged in a war that you or your community can give to them directly, avoiding red tape stress.
Last, do not take our existence for granted. We must endeavor to know what we have a right to do and what is the right thing to do.
For more information about opportunities to help people in need in your community, contact your local Chamber of Commerce, or agency that provides services to which you can bring value.