This everything bagel reminds me of a situation I encountered not long ago. As a life lesson in kindness, I have described it to my kids somewhat harshly as "stabbed in the heart by a homeless man". For me, this story describes how energy from other people can cause us a physical reaction.
I was on a freeway off ramp stopped next to a homeless man holding a sign that read, "ANYTHING HELPS". It’s my policy to not give money to the homeless, although when I can, I will offer them food. I reached over to the seat next to me and opened a case of snack bars I had just purchased from Costco. I offered the man a handful of snack bars His response was "no thank you, I just ate". What? I felt rejected and uncomfortable. So much so, that I held onto the pain of that memory for some time I felt it tight in my chest. The memory building a sort of scar tissue in terms of ‘giving to the homeless’.
Recently, my son and I were leaving a cafe with a leftover bagel. On the corner near the cafe, we saw a homeless woman with her child and we offered it to them. The woman happily took the bagel with gratitude. It was such a different experience than when I encountered the man who rejected my snack bars. The woman's gracious acceptance of our offering made us feel happy. It was a beautiful reminder that the goodness you put out can be reciprocated. It may not always come back from the person you are trying to help. It may, and often come from a surprising place. Just keep offering what you can when you can. Give to give, not to receive. Spread the love, leading by example.
You will never run out of it! It is an endless supply! Don't let fear of rejection stop you from sharing your gifts with the world. We are here in ORDER to love. That is our purpose. That is what will make us happy.
Love
In
Endless
Supply
By Maria Humphreys