Giving With Intention

We all have a reason why we should not give money to the homeless person sitting on the corner. We all decide what he will do with the money (“he will buy drugs”, “he will buy alcohol”, “he will buy cigarettes”). We often think to ourselves, "If I don't look him in the eye or look at him at all, I don't have to think about his suffering."

What he purchases is none of our business. It doesn't matter what he does with the money. Our INTENTION is to give the money to be helpful to his perceived plight. Free of judgment. The INTENTION is what matters. That we want to help a follow human being that we are giving from our full or not so full cup or that no matter how little we have someone else has less.

It never ceases to amaze me that the people, who have the least, give the most. Conversely, people who have the most, often give the least. Many people who profess to be very spiritual and highly evolved, have bad things to say about those down on their luck. What is that expression? “There but for the grace of God, go I”

Life can change on a dime. We prepare, we save, we plan but sometimes, “things” spiral out of our hands. No one knows the exact story of how and why a person ends up on the streets (loss of job, addiction, mental illness, abusive spouse).

I have often wondered if homeless people are spiritual beings sent to earth to “test” us. How kind we will be; how giving we will be; how loving we will be.

Next time, you are driving through Cambridge or any other city, and you see someone who could use your help, roll down your window, smile and give him a few dollars.

Give with INTENTION.