I recently made a trip to St. Louis to watch my daughter compete
in the International Sweet Adelines Quartet Competition.
(I'll be writing more about that soon.)
I made a side trip to City Hall on foot,
and encountered something quite shocking!
As I approached the building, a noticed a gathering of people in the side yard.
My immediate thought was
"That's probably a bunch of people with their checkbooks in hand
to take advantage of all of the properties in foreclosure!".
I've witnessed that many times in Ft. Worth.
It gives me the creeps imagining all of the people
who may be without a roof over their heads--
even more so since I've realized some of the tactics that are used by the system
to evict people and acquire their homes.
As I neared the building, I also saw some coolers, and thought
"Wow! They're even serving refreshments -- that's one way to keep a captive audience."
The closer I got to City Hall, the more my jaded thoughts faded.
I realized that the scenario was possibly not what I had imagined it to be.
Could this be homeless people lining up to get close to those coolers?!?!
While inside City Hall, I found the employees all so friendly,
helpful and personable.
I asked a couple of them if they were feeding the homeless
out on the steps at the side of the building.
Their reply was an emphatic "Yes!"
I replied:
"It's illegal to feed the homeless in Dallas!"
They both said the same remarkable thing....
"It's illegal in St. Louis too, but we don't care, we feed them anyway!"
I was SO refreshed and SO grateful to be witnessing such acts of compassion,
right in the heart of the city, by people who work for the city!
I was so astounded that they were willing to "do the right thing",
as opposed to simply "following the law", AND
actually taking action toward helping others, especially considering their work positions.
Though it may not be the best, or a permanent solution,
I feel it is indeed a step in the right direction...the direction of compassion.
This was the perfect moment to look at myself....
To see how biased my thoughts were.
To see how I jumped to conclusions,
and to see what expectations I had activated within.
It was also the perfect opportunity to be grateful,
to be open, to shift into a more helpful and positive state of mind,
and to adjust my thinking.
Seeing how my experiences have shaped my thoughts,
and how my reality and thoughts have shaped my experiences,
I received this moment to make some personal internal upgrades.
An even brighter spring returned to my step,
as I breathed the air of joyous surprise.
I just received a dose of humility,
and witnessed love and compassion where I expected none.
I was floored by this experience!
These few moments alone were worth the 1300+ mile roundtrip drive to St. Louis!
I'm so grateful to witness that things in the world are changing,
and that life keeps giving me personal opportunity for change as well.
I'm so grateful for HOPE!
That is a great thing to see. The latest in UK is shops putting down metal studs in the ground to stop homeless people sleeping there, hideous make me so angry. People have been digging the up though which it nice to see 💯🐒
Oh geez!!! The human race is so ridiculous at times. Sometimes our ideas of solutions are unbelievable. Only when we truly decide and care for each other will things change. Thanks for taking the time to comment @vibeof100monkeys. Love your screen name btw!
Yes its hard to comprehend at time what our fellow humans do. They are all brainwashed though and we need to help open thier eyes. Hence the name and thanks, the hundredth monkey is stirring well and truly 💯🐒
Isn't that the truth! All in due time...keep the vibe going!
It sure is and I intent too 💯🐒
Glad to hear it. The world can use more of that! <3
Very encouraging.
Encouragingly surprising!!!
That's a splendid thing to witness!! Hope springs eternal!!
May we all have the opportunity to witness the change. Heartwarming to say the least. So glad to have your light shining here @meesterboom!!
A perfect example that what everyone considers normal might not be the right thing to do. I feel like our society is teaching us to be more and more selfish.
I have felt that way too, and it is not common to witness that as the truth. Gratefully there are thing happening that also show us otherwise., and I'm glad be in alignment with seeing it. Thanks for the comment @jyezie.
That's incredible and classic
So very grateful for the experience.