I walked into a Shell gas station tonight with 10 dollars in my wallet...the only cash I had left for the week (to spend that is). I noticed a homeless man walking in shortly after me. After a confusing discussion with the Middle Eastern Gas station manager about which pump I was at, I told him I wanted $9.00 on pump 8. By the time I got my $1.00 back in change, the homeless man was standing behind me with two beers and a wad of crumpled one dollar bills. As I was leaving the counter, I turned and looked at the hobo who was examining a cooler full of assorted roses. Then he said, I wonder what a white rose means? (Kind of a deep question for a homeless drunk, dont you think?) I was inspired by his thoughtfulness about something as simple as the color of a rose, so I replied, I guess it means whatever you want it to mean. As I exited the store, I noticed the hobos belongings leaning against the gas station wall. His only possessions were a grocery bag with a blanket in it, a wooden stick, and a crudely made sign that read I have no one. I intentionally put only $9.00 in my tank so I would have a dollar to give the homeless man... But I realized that my puny one dollar bill would mean nothing more to this man than being that much closer to his next meal or beer. He needed more than tangible wealth...I understood then that all the complaining I do about how little money I have, and how my life would be better if I just had this THING or that THING, makes me snobby, selfish, and entitled. Life isnt about working hard to make more money to have more stuff and be well off...its about working hard to understand the value of other people and myself, and internal happiness. Shame on me for thinking otherwise.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:01:54 +0000
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