The other day, on my way home from work, I saw three men doing drugs under an overpass. I frowned, seeing these young guys caught up in something so bad for them, then turned up my radio and sang along to Adele on my way home to my apartment.
The next day, while passing the same overpass, I noticed the same three men, but this time they weren't kneeling in a circle preparing to indulge in a street corner commodity. They were huddled under the bridge, trying to keep warm, using a hunk of a cardboard box to shield themselves from the biting wind that came along with the first day of spring.
When the full reality of the situation hit me, I felt like my rose colored glasses had been torn from my eyes and smashed on the sidewalk. My eyes were open and on my drive home I realized that I passed people on every street corner, at every stoplight, who needed help.
My heart broke as I thought of how often I take for granted the incredible life I have. Not only do I have a place to lay my head every night, but I have food in my fridge, money in the bank, a car that I can rely on, and most importantly, I have a backup plan and a support system for if any one of my blessings ever for any reason are to disappear. I have another warm home to go to. I have places to eat. I have enough money to tide myself through rough times.
So today, please do me a favor. Look around at your life, and take a moment to appreciate everything you have. Sure, we all have flaws, and things we wish we could have in our lives, and we all have hard times whether we live under an overpass, in a shelter, or in a nice home with a warm bed, but regardless of what your situation is, find one thing, every single day, to be thankful for.
My heart is driving me to share my blessings and do what I can do help the people in my community. If you want to know how you can help, check out the links below. There are some great tips and a plethora of ways to help and be involved whether you want to do something big or small.
https://www.justgive.org/donations/help-homeless.jsp
http://www.wikihow.com/Help-the-Homeless
