TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Look him in the eyes

Published on: Apr 29, 2007

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=12877

It is so interesting seeing how people react to beggars. I look out and see across the way a table of tourists. Women wearing high heels and dresses complemented with their dyed and straightened hair. The men with rich sunglasses on their heads.

A short man, skinny as bones, approaches them. His clothing is ragged, he carries a stick to help his walking. He looks to be 60 years or so. And how do they react? They ignore him. They do not even glance at him, let along give him a second of their time. What injustice in the world. Such power they have. Their money yes, so great to his. But their love, their kindness, their compassion. This they and the man share, or rather they could share, if only these people took the chance. Took a chance on him.

The injustice is not so much in the sharp inequity of their finances, it is instead the high pedestal that they choose to remain on, the barrier they create by choosing to ignore him.

Let us imagine for a moment that you are a person who has just come into existence, as a fully grown adult. You are not tarnished by any cultural prejudices, racism or greed, yet you are filled with a conscience that comes from the essence of your being. You find yourself at a table, a great feast is before you. So much amazing food! Just as you begin, an old man like the one I tell of approaches you. You can immediately tell that he is hungry, in fact he looks as though he has not eaten in some time. He is malnourished and battered.

What would you do? Invite the man to join you that instant, before he even has a chance to degrade himself by begging for food? I believe that this is it. If we were true to our inner voice, our divine consciousness, we would not even hesitate.

The question is, why don't we all do this all the time? It cannot be because we cannot afford it. These people did not finish all the food on their plates (they have gone now). Perhaps it is racism? Or a fear of acknowledging that we can actually do something? Perhaps it is different for each person. Perhaps it is our entire culture, the culture of the world... But I know we can overcome it. We can help each other. And more importantly we can meet each other as equals in this journey called life. As we feast, if a hungry person approaches, we can indeed look that person in the eyes and say "welcome, my brother, I am your sister and here is your seat beside me."

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by Keely Aleathea Constance Boom
Published on: Apr 29, 2007
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=12877


It is so interesting seeing how people react to beggars. I look out and see across the way a table of tourists. Women wearing high heels and dresses complemented with their dyed and straightened hair. The men with rich sunglasses on their heads. A short man, skinny as bones, approaches them. His clothing is ragged, he carries a stick to help his walking. He looks to be 60 years or so. And how do they react? They ignore him. They do not even glance at him, let along give him a second of their time. What injustice in the world. Such power they have. Their money yes, so great to his. But their love, their kindness, their compassion. This they and the man share, or rather they could share, if only these people took the chance. Took a chance on him. The injustice is not so much in the sharp inequity of their finances, it is instead the high pedestal that they choose to remain on, the barrier they create by choosing to ignore him. Let us imagine for a moment that you are a person who has just come into existence, as a fully grown adult. You are not tarnished by any cultural prejudices, racism or greed, yet you are filled with a conscience that comes from the essence of your being. You find yourself at a table, a great feast is before you. So much amazing food! Just as you begin, an old man like the one I tell of approaches you. You can immediately tell that he is hungry, in fact he looks as though he has not eaten in some time. He is malnourished and battered. What would you do? Invite the man to join you that instant, before he even has a chance to degrade himself by begging for food? I believe that this is it. If we were true to our inner voice, our divine consciousness, we would not even hesitate. The question is, why don't we all do this all the time? It cannot be because we cannot afford it. These people did not finish all the food on their plates (they have gone now). Perhaps it is racism? Or a fear of acknowledging that we can actually do something? Perhaps it is different for each person. Perhaps it is our entire culture, the culture of the world... But I know we can overcome it. We can help each other. And more importantly we can meet each other as equals in this journey called life. As we feast, if a hungry person approaches, we can indeed look that person in the eyes and say "welcome, my brother, I am your sister and here is your seat beside me." « return.