Humans are the strangest creatures I have ever met. I stopped by a Safeway for lunch the other day and there was a woman standing at the parking lot entrance holding a cardboard sign.
Pause for a moment and read those last two words again.
When we hear that, who even cares what the sign says anymore? Do we just assume we already know what it will say, as though every person's need is interchangeable.
I read her sign and it said "Anything helps." I have grown up with the advice do not give out money to strangers. If you have money to give, support the shelters and organizations that serve the community. If you want to give to someone, give a tangible thing, a meal, a pair of socks. And I'm not trying to say that this is bad advice, consider your own comfort zone.
I approached this woman before I entered the store. I said hello and asked if I could get her a sandwich as it was around lunchtime. She smiled at me and said oh no, she's already had breakfast that day. I was surprised; I'd never expected to be turned down in this situation. Rejection when offering help provides a mess of emotions. The woman said, 'thank you, god bless and a thousand angels smile on you.'
Anything helps.
How easy is it to see a sign and fill in the meaning, assume we already know the story and what the need is. Presenting a solution often makes us feel good about ourselves. So how many people do we approach with that mentality? That we will go address their problem and leave feeling we 'fixed' their situation. How often do we ask others what they need or how we can support them? Or do we make assumptions and create more chaos for them to dig through.
We don't always know what to offer to best meet a person's need, that's why listening and asking questions is so important. No assumptions.
Pause for a moment and read those last two words again.
When we hear that, who even cares what the sign says anymore? Do we just assume we already know what it will say, as though every person's need is interchangeable.
I read her sign and it said "Anything helps." I have grown up with the advice do not give out money to strangers. If you have money to give, support the shelters and organizations that serve the community. If you want to give to someone, give a tangible thing, a meal, a pair of socks. And I'm not trying to say that this is bad advice, consider your own comfort zone.
I approached this woman before I entered the store. I said hello and asked if I could get her a sandwich as it was around lunchtime. She smiled at me and said oh no, she's already had breakfast that day. I was surprised; I'd never expected to be turned down in this situation. Rejection when offering help provides a mess of emotions. The woman said, 'thank you, god bless and a thousand angels smile on you.'
Anything helps.
How easy is it to see a sign and fill in the meaning, assume we already know the story and what the need is. Presenting a solution often makes us feel good about ourselves. So how many people do we approach with that mentality? That we will go address their problem and leave feeling we 'fixed' their situation. How often do we ask others what they need or how we can support them? Or do we make assumptions and create more chaos for them to dig through.
We don't always know what to offer to best meet a person's need, that's why listening and asking questions is so important. No assumptions.
Do you fill in the blank?
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