When I see a homeless person on the street my heart breaks. My mind goes into an endless spiral thinking what adversities the person may have gone through to land up in an unfortunate situation like this.

While my heart wails, I am often hesitant to give them money. Long back I read about homeless people and drug abuse. That article struck me hard and have invariably imprinted itself in my front lobe permanently. Somehow my thoughts never permit me to give them cash, as my subconscious mind curls up thinking the money will be abused. And every time I walk away from such predicament feeling guilty.

I am sure not everyone on the street is a drug addict, nor everyone will misuse the money.  But for few miscreants, I have been measuring everyone with the same yardstick. I know I have to find a way to break away from the pretentious shackles.  How about next time when I meet a person on the street instead of giving money I take them to a restaurant or buy them a blanket to comfort them from the brutal winter storms. Maybe a genuine smile or an empathy can also do the miracle in the absence of kind.  This is what I am going to do next time.

Do you have any opinions? Any other thoughts? I will love to hear your views.

Copyright © Shantanu Baruah

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