Hello, strangers.
As I mentioned in a much earlier post, one of the things that gives my life meaning in helping others. I've been a little MIA lately because I'm currently planning a campus-wide drive to collect blankets, coats, hats, and gloves from students at my university to help the homeless in Austin (Texas) through this winter. & I'm currently planning it alone. I don't mind. I'm actually enjoying it. It's a lot of work, but I think it's totally worth it. I've just had little time to post here...
Anyway, things were put into perspective for me the other day. I woke up at 7 am in order to go to campus (I live 30 min. away from where my school is) to get paperwork signed and turned in for the drive. It was chilly out (and in my house), so I made sure to wear a sweater, heavy jeans, and a coat. I walked outside, and there was ice on my windshield (rare for Texas). My heater didn't get hot right away, so my teeth jittered as I pulled out of my driveway. I wore flats that day (without socks), so my feet were cold the entire drive. Parking on campus sucks, so I had to park at the stadium and walk to my building, which took about 15 minutes. I felt teeth-jittering cold the entire walk. Then it clicked. Here I was, dressed appropriately for the weather, cold the entire morning.. in my house, in my car, and on my walk to campus. I began to really feel how important this drive is. The homeless people in Austin had to be miserable that day.. they don't always have proper clothes for this type of weather, and many of them sleep outside, exposed to the elements. I can't imagine being able to sleep being THAT cold. It sort of broke my heart a little... or a lot, actually...
I believe, that as fellow human beings, we have the responsibility to help each other in any way we can. I know that not everyone is passionate about helping the homeless like I am... but maybe you want to help children.. or individuals with a certain illness.. or some other population. If you haven't already done it, I hope you will. Often times people ask me, "What can I do? I'm only one person. It won't make a difference." And you know what I tell them? I tell them, "You do what you CAN. That's all you can do. What may seem like a small thing to you can make a huge impact on someone else's life." So, to anyone who is reading this blog, I really hope that you go out and do what you can. :)
Nice post, lovely thought. I try and pay it forward as much as possible. I think it's the little things that count. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's true.. the little things most definitely count! And I think often little things turn out to be bigger things to those who need the help. :)