Posted by Racer on March 30, 2004, at 12:39:49
In reply to I'm young and stupid, posted by Karen_kay on March 29, 2004, at 18:38:08
I grew out of it.
Now, I'm in California, and I don't carry much cash ever, and I don't ever give money to the homeless, and I do feel really bad about their plight. What do I do, then, to allow myself to look myself in the eye? First, I carried around food to give out to anyone who asked for spare change. That got way too expensive, and a couple of people got abusive when I said, "Gee, I don't have any cash, but I have peanuts and tuna -- would you like some of those?" Excuse me, folks -- if someone offers you something, after telling you they can't give you what you've asked for, "Thanks anyway" is maybe a better response than "F--K you, B---h!" So, I started volunteering instead. THen I got into non-profit management, and board membership. So, now I do something for them as a group, rather than doing it one by one, and I can meet my own eyes in the mirror.
As for young, that you grow out of. Stupid? Depends on your definition -- I know I call myself stupid for doing certain things that really deserve that title, but it doesnt' mean that I think I'm basically unintelligent. I assume you're doing the same thing.
Good luck on learning where your limits are, and consider larger gestures than spare change on the streets: maybe a $20 donation to a homeless shelter a couple of times a year, or showing up for demonstrations at City Hall, or even just writing letters to your representatives.
poster:Racer
thread:330003
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040324/msgs/330348.html