Except for really old people and PWDs who obviously no longer have the means to earn a living, I have developed a tendency to ignore these people. The street kids because I feel they shouldn't be in the streets so giving them alms would be to encourage them. The adult beggars who, in my opinion, are sometimes just too lazy to work.
But then I learned a new insight the other week that made me rethink my views. Someone said that maybe, these people were placed there to give you the opportunity to be kind. This made me stop and think.
I cannot do anything about keeping street kids off the street. And maybe those beggars were just too lazy to work. Clearly, they are not in the best of situations and a little kindness won't hurt.
Last night, as I was buying my favorite roasted peanut at the corner near our house, a boy approached me and asked for money. I gave him and his friend 5 pesos each. I should have bought them food. And I should have bought medicine for the other boy whose swollen hands were full of lesions and rashes.
I was still thinking of those kids this morning. I missed the opportunity to do more. Much like how we chase career and business opportunities and take advantage of them, maybe we ought to do the same when we come across situations where we can extend a kind hand to others.
