Perspective

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Yesterday I found out that my 16 year old step-daughter needs back surgery for a couple herniated disks.
Last night I found out how much ‘out of pocket’ that surgery is going to cost me.
It’s a bit over $3,800, which I don’t have but that’s not the point of this little rant here.

The point is I was awake most of the night stressing over it. Plus I have a ton of projects at work I need to get done and I was stressing over those too.

Today, on my way to work, still stressing about my life and my job, I found $0.35 on the sidewalk.
I thought to myself, ‘Hey, coupled with some change in my desk I can grab a soda from the vending machine. Cool’.

Stupid little thing to have happen but that made me a little happier.

Then I walked to my next bus stop and looked across the street and my stomach sank. Sitting on the sidewalk across the street was a homeless lady, bundled up as tightly as she could, wearing old worn out clothes, with an old cup in front of her for hand-outs.

It’s winter. It’s 35f outside. And I suddenly felt like a complete asshole.

I immediately walked across the street and dropped that $0.35 in her cup.

Here I am, stressed over work. Stressed over medical bills. Trying to come up with ideas on how to deal with both.
The catch is, I have a life that gives me things to stress over. I have an amazing wife, two awesome step-kids, a damned good job, health insurance that is at least covering all but the $3,800 left on my deductible, a nice apartment, and many other things I take for granted.

This lady, sitting in the freezing cold, has none of those and would likely give anything to have my ‘stressful life’.

An ‘eye opener’ to say the least.

The next time your life’s difficulties have you stressed out, stop for a moment and remember the things you do have.

The next time you walk into a Starbucks for your morning coffee and see some homeless person on the sidewalk, either give them your change or at least buy them a coffee.

Chances are that infinitesimal act will be the most kindness that person has had given to them in weeks.

Perspective