With Some Thoughts From an Once-Homeless Person
I remember my youth after I left home at the age of 16. While I was still going to school my best friend’s parents let me live with them, but when I dropped out after a teacher who did not like me screwed me out of graduation, I had my new home taken away from me too.
I ended up standing on a highway and sticking out my thumb. I left the only city I had ever known and set out with nothing but the clothes on my back.
When I ran out of highway I was in Vancouver, B.C. I didn’t know a soul, and I had no idea where in the city I should go. I ended up living on the streets, panhandling for meals and cigarettes (ugh what a horrible habit that I kicked cold turkey one day and never looked back!), doing odd jobs under the table, and eventually turning to certain criminal activities for which I served my time.
How would things have turned out if what is happening in Finland now was happening way back then? I’ll never know, of course. But my respect goes out to Finland for even trying this idea and proving it works. Now we need other democracies to take heed. Homeless people are not animals to be treated like shit and disrespected. Homeless people are made, we are not (usually) born that way. Society has to accept blame for failing them, and start giving them the boost they need to make something of themselves.
On this eve of New Year’s Eve, I beseech you to open your hearts snd minds, and help a homeless person. What a wonderful world it would be for someone who is near the rock bottom of their lives.
I thank Andrea (acflory) over at Meeka’s Mind for her post and the accompanying video.
Ideas From Outside the Boxes 