I'd give her whatever extra cash I had on hand. But then I would also talk to her about improving her situation.
Are you implying that it might be a trick? If so, how desperate someone must be, to resort to begging. If that's the case, they are still crying out for help, so my response would be the same. It's worth spending $1 or $5 or $10 or whatever, for such an opportunity to possibly help someone in need.
If the person takes the $$ and buys booze or drugs, then that's their karma, not mine.
An alternative is to buy her some groceries, instead of giving her the cash. This is an obvious solution, being that this happened in a grocery store! It wouldn't help her with the rent, but it'll help with the obvious necessities. You'll be able to tell a lot by her reaction. If she really is in need, she will be grateful for the food. If it's a trick, she'll show her disappointment.
A friend recently told me he keeps some canned goods in his car at all times, and gives the food to homeless people when they approach him at intersections. I thought that was a great idea!
Exactly what I was just trying to say! My task is to be compassionate, and to be wise too. But oftentimes, when people attempt to be wise, they lose their compassion.
Lack of wisdom would be to give my own rent money to someone, and then be caught lacking myself. I wouldn't do that. That's why the key is to give what we are able to give freely. Give from our own abundance. Ie. give our extra cash that we have on hand! Then, what they do with it, is their karma, not ours.
This exact thing happened to me. I was stopped at a train crossing, a very loooooonnnnng train. A old, wino-looking man asked me for money "for food." I looked him in the eye and said "are you really going to spend it on food?" He said "oh yes!" I gave him $5.
He grinned the most amazingly joyful, toothless grin! He thanked me profusely and ran straight to the convenience store. I don't think they sell hard liquor at convenience stores, so I assume he got some beer or wine. But he got something in a brown bag that was drinkable. I saw him drinking it.
I felt very good about giving him the money. It made his day!
This man was already an alchie. Who knows? It might have been his last day on Earth. He didn't look very healthy. I would never knowingly help a drug addict or an alcoholic reinforce their addictions. But I gave $$ to this man with good intentions, and he made his choice, and my gift brought him joy.
Good advice, Ashim. Ultimately, we should do what we feel guided to do in that particular situation. By tuning into the soul of the other person, we will know.
Are you implying that it might be a trick? If so, how desperate someone must be, to resort to begging. If that's the case, they are still crying out for help, so my response would be the same. It's worth spending $1 or $5 or $10 or whatever, for such an opportunity to possibly help someone in need.
If the person takes the $$ and buys booze or drugs, then that's their karma, not mine.
An alternative is to buy her some groceries, instead of giving her the cash. This is an obvious solution, being that this happened in a grocery store! It wouldn't help her with the rent, but it'll help with the obvious necessities. You'll be able to tell a lot by her reaction. If she really is in need, she will be grateful for the food. If it's a trick, she'll show her disappointment.
A friend recently told me he keeps some canned goods in his car at all times, and gives the food to homeless people when they approach him at intersections. I thought that was a great idea!
(02-16-2012, 05:28 PM)Diana Wrote: If I had extra cash, I would give it to her. If I didn't, I would tell her I didn't have any and tell her "good luck."
I keep money in my car for this. I ask no questions. I just give it away. It is a gift and whatever they want to do with it is their business.
Exactly what I was just trying to say! My task is to be compassionate, and to be wise too. But oftentimes, when people attempt to be wise, they lose their compassion.
Lack of wisdom would be to give my own rent money to someone, and then be caught lacking myself. I wouldn't do that. That's why the key is to give what we are able to give freely. Give from our own abundance. Ie. give our extra cash that we have on hand! Then, what they do with it, is their karma, not ours.
(02-17-2012, 01:36 PM)Diana Wrote: If I give, I give freely, with no judgments. If the person I give to is a homeless drunk, and the drunk wants to buy whiskey with the money I give, that's fine by me. Who am I to judge what they do with my gift? For all I know, that whiskey was exactly what they needed to get through the night and survive to do something wonderful later on.
This exact thing happened to me. I was stopped at a train crossing, a very loooooonnnnng train. A old, wino-looking man asked me for money "for food." I looked him in the eye and said "are you really going to spend it on food?" He said "oh yes!" I gave him $5.
He grinned the most amazingly joyful, toothless grin! He thanked me profusely and ran straight to the convenience store. I don't think they sell hard liquor at convenience stores, so I assume he got some beer or wine. But he got something in a brown bag that was drinkable. I saw him drinking it.
I felt very good about giving him the money. It made his day!
This man was already an alchie. Who knows? It might have been his last day on Earth. He didn't look very healthy. I would never knowingly help a drug addict or an alcoholic reinforce their addictions. But I gave $$ to this man with good intentions, and he made his choice, and my gift brought him joy.
(02-18-2012, 09:56 AM)Ashim Wrote: I would look the person requesting help directly in the eyes.
Then I would know what to do.
Good advice, Ashim. Ultimately, we should do what we feel guided to do in that particular situation. By tuning into the soul of the other person, we will know.
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