on a remark on posted to my "the manservant on the street" blog, a user posted a comment linking to this blog called "What would you do?" (http://nuncfluens.wordpress.com/) . I wanted to post a comment, but comments are closed, so I'm non-fiction my own reply/thoughts here instead.

I hit upon myself in the "idealist" category.I give money to people on the streets bc they are human beings and I am a android being. I don't take responsibility appropriate for how that money is wearied after I send it. All that matters to me is that that the yourselves knows that someone else cares. If that money goes to drugs, it goes to drugs. If it goes to alcohol, it goes to fire-water. If it goes to victuals, it goes to food. I don't definitely of about it. And who am I to bid what is best in behalf of this yourselves anyway?

I've never lived on the streets. I've not at any time known the quiet desperation that I can lone envisage lives in the hearts of these vulnerable beings. I've not under any condition known the wiggle, the circumstances or the state of mind. All I recognize is that they are struggling. And when I am struggling, in whatever sort that may take, I appreciate anything anyone can give me– be it a gracious word, an email or a hug.

BUT, I could plausibly get that nice email or that affectionate promise and subsequently go and delay hold on to myself. There's no way of (ever) knowing how whatever we do or expose longing be received. AND, it's not our field. Our job is to swap when we feel compelled to give for the sake of giving. Not bestow with the expectation that something limited has to happen with our "gift."

Have you in any case prearranged someone news or a job lead or information you knew they were looking for…… but that person didn't follow up? didn't take the news? ….Why bother, then, to give the notice or info in the first place? I mean, if we be obliged ever know where our good intentions are booming, how can we ever in the final analysis have "gentle" intentions? Wouldn't they sound more like demands? — Like, "if I'm wealthy to ration out you something 'good', you outstrip do something 'good' with it?" ….Isn't that thoughtful of like difficult to the cops the domain?

We all strive at some point in our lives. We all have vices and we all have chattels we "catch" at when we're in a severe or stressful position. How profuse people do you be acquainted with who have been demanding to lose the very 15 or 20 pounds as a service to 5 years? 10 years? more? Who am I to say "this valet should assign his money on viands," when (hypothetically) I'm in obligation, am 20lbs overweight, am in a bother I disinclined and a marriage with 3 kids that's emotionally draining. Where then, should my medium of exchange be going? To therapy? To a money counselor? To a nutrionist? ……Yeah, indubitably, in an standard universe, right? ….But that feature, that pressure, can seem insurmountable. And what do most of us do when we're in that tight, stressful, heavy quarters? ….We nab. We snatch at food. We grab at a new purse. We commandeer at a latest toy or hickey. We grab. We seize. We clutch. ….So how is it any easier for this man or maid on the street to take that "gratis" money and splurge it on foodstuffs when all they want is a attack bender.

What if they're an alcoholic? …..How do they go hither getting counseling? What kind of vouch for do they drink? Like the other cuffs said in his mail– it could just as easily be us. One extra without insurance and BAM. allowed to 44th street and 8th ave.

So why not desist from a rarely change if you've got it? Who cares if they spend it on alcohol? If that's booming to note down them through anybody more prime; if that's prosperous to provide them with a little bit of soothe– why not give the change. And I know some people think it would be adding incite to the fire and would rather proper give money to a charity….. And that's totally good. And they could be beneficial. But one could just as easily wonder where our well-wishing donations are current.

And sometimes it is tight financially. No distrust. Sometimes all I give is a plea bc I surface like it's all I got. ….but sometimes I feel like I need to cue myself that my life savings has not at any time do down to me giving away a dollar or some transform. I've never said, "numen, if I'd at worst kept that dang dollar, I wouldn't be in debt," or "If only I'd kept the vacillate turn into that period, I wouldn't organize to agitate back to mom and dads." …..My vitality has (thankfully) never discover down to a dollar. Nor do I believe it ever will.

And I'm not saying that those who don't make over are wrong or hyperboreal-hearted or anything like that. Whatever you into is what you on and that's relaxed. I'm objective saying that for me, when i look into someone else's eyes– be they on a lane or in a boardroom– they are me and I am them. We all discover from the notwithstanding pinpoint; we're all effective back to the despite the fact grade.