Small Things Count

You’re stopped at a light, car idling, breeze wafting through your open window.  Peaceful.  Until that scruffy guy with an “Out of Work & Hungry” sign leans down to make eye contact with you.  Rolling up your window on him or just ignoring him makes you feel guilty, because he might truly be in need.  Giving him money makes you think you may be feeding his bad habit.  The answer is simple: a smile to acknowledge him as a person and the offer of a gift bag.  Make up a few gift bags and keep them in your car for such an occasion.  Fill a zip-lock bag (half gallon size is good) with a bottle of water, a granola bar or bag of trail mix, a packet of tissues, a toothbrush, a sample-sized toothpaste, and a sample-sized hand sanitizer.  Unless standing out there is his “job” rather than filling a real need, he’ll gratefully accept your little gift.   You will have given him useful items to help him get by, acknowledged that he’s a fellow human in need, and regained your sense of calm.