When I serve others, my heart warms in ways that can only be felt when Compassion becomes Tangible and how every day I ask for ways to keep growing, serving and improving…A true story from almost a year ago now.
It had been snowing since yesterday. The snow was deep and the roads where thick with heavy fallen snow. I was out shopping, parked my Jeep and I headed towards the store. I saw a youth all bundled up; the snow already settled on his hood and was spilling down onto his shoulders. By the amount of snow that had built up on him I knew he had been standing there awhile.
As I walked up to him, he made eye contact with me, which I felt to my inner core. I made my way around him, but not without him asking me, “Would you have a dollar?”
Immediately, without thinking as I was now a few feet past him, said, “No, I don’t”.
I headed into the store thinking it was rare that I see someone on the street asking fo
r money in my town. This youth was in his early to mid-20’s. I understand the homeless youth, because I sat as Chairman of the Board for two years for the Youth Shelter and had been very active in my community with various other community programs. So, their stories/plights where near and dear to my heart.
As I paid for my things I wondered if I would encounter him again and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I mean who wants to be asked for money a second time? And yes, I do know the manipulation from those that need to survive in the street, so this would not be a surprise to me if he asked again. I gathered my resolve, walked through the door, turned and there he was. He looked at me, intense blue eyes peered into my soul, I smiled, he nodded and I headed to my Jeep. As I opened the door, I heard that voice, yes that voice, my Higher Self say, “Go back and give him money.”
I know this conviction and this Voice very well so, I didn’t hesitate. I gathered some money and walked towards him. He saw me and looked a little perplexed as I put the money in his hand. He smiled and put out his hand to shake mine in gratitude and said, “Thank you so much.”
I asked him his name and he said, “Tony.” Not his real name, you know. They often don’t use their birth name.
He asked me mine. We connected soul to soul in that moment.
I said, “Tony, are you staying at the Youth Shelter?”
I don’t know what made me ask him that but I did.
He said, “Yes, I am, but I am being put out at the end of the month.”
I know that as an emergency shelter, youth have a regulatory time allotted by the government granted for emergency funds. He told me that he had just obtained a part time job and was hoping to get a room somewhere.
I said, “Tony, why are you standing out here begging for money?”
Tony told me he had finished his hours at his new part time job and he was not able to go back to the shelter till later and he needed lunch. The shelter has rules about the hours they are allowed to be there. He told me stories of how he pays it forward all the time to others. He told me that he only does this “asking for money” once in a while.
I offered him some of my wisdom, which he took to heart, asked me some questions on what I was teaching him and he gave me a genuine thank you.
I told him that he has all the answers deep within his soul, that he should always listen to his heart and live the life of his dreams. I told him to find that place that he pays it forward with and to live life like that all the time.
He was so appreciative and kept saying thank you, wishing me a Merry Christmas and then smiling another thank you. As I turned and walked back to my Jeep, I saw him leave and I felt a rush of compassion energy that filled me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. I hardly made it into the Jeep when the tears flowed, sobs actually. Tears of complete joy and compassion overflowed. I kept uttering the words, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for this soul touching opportunity, for this person, Tony to have made such an impact on my life today.
There are three things human beings need, food, shelter and validation. The Youth Shelter was giving him shelter and I gave him some food. But, most of all I was able to give him validation and this so touched me to my deepest core and always will.
I am in humble gratitude for this experience. And, yes I do have more stories like this that I have experienced that I shall write. I am a blessed girl, and I am honoured to be able to bless others.
If you choose, ask your Higher Self to lead you to people that you may bless and feel the life changing compassion and heart soul moment!
