Changes you need to see in the world

‘Tis the season to spread kindness, and it got me thinking: how can we help the needy?

I was “outside” quite a lot these past few days and was reminded of how broken the system and humans are. Some are broken for reasons not under their control, and the system because they can’t help the broken people.

They say that kindness in the world starts with you. I’m guilty of blaming “society” for our vicious cycles, forgetting sometimes that we collectively are society. So in recent years I started calling myself out whenever I noticed a pattern of behavior that needs to be unlearned. 

What changes do I want to see in the world?

So many, really. Though you can’t change the world alone (I don’t even think the world is changeable?), you can be part of the resolution. One thing that has always impacted me emotionally is homelessness. 

Some people like to physically avoid the homeless and avoid the subject. It’s almost as if we’ve grown immune to this problem that needs major attention. Having gone through an unexpected change in my living situation myself, due to the cost of living, I’ve started to understand that a lot of homeless people really have no choice. Needless to say they’re not thrilled to be sleeping on the hard cement in the dead of winter. 

There are financial hardships, drug addiction, mental conditions, domestic violence, and so many other personal reasons that might be keeping these people from affording a roof over their head. It’s hard to expect everyone to understand these circumstances, but the way that society automatically turns a blind eye and categorizes them as “crazy” and addicts, instead of trying to understand, doesn’t help and it’s just insensitive. 

I remember someone once told me to be careful when walking on certain streets in downtown Miami because “there are too many homeless people.” I then asked, “what is wrong with homeless people?” and there was a brief pause, as if this person didn’t exactly know why he said that to begin with, but quickly came up with an explanation: “Well, they might have a mental problem and try to hurt you.”

I agree that it is a valid point, but I also have never felt threatened by a homeless person. I don’t know if growing older and learning about how this problem is systemic, has something to do with it, but I’ve grown even more compassionate towards homeless people.

Now, when, if I can be honest, I used to think that giving a beggar a dollar or two would only be feeding their addiction, I try to keep an open mind, look at the big picture, and not make any assumptions. They might really need that little contribution. As I said, too many reasons that we’re not aware of.

Also, when I used to turn my head and ignore them for fear that, if I stared, they might not like it, I try to acknowledge them and offer them a smile. We don’t have to be so cold and robotic. A lot of these people really are sane and struggling, just trying to make it out alive on their own. 

I wish I knew how to, and that we could, end homelessness, but that’s a really tough one. That’s one of the global changes that I dream of; no underserved struggles. Humans created a system that only benefits the people at the top of the ladder and somehow don’t know how to undo it. It’s sad, frustrating, and infuriating to see this kind of suffering.

I’m grateful for the people already making big changes in the world. We still need a lot more of us, though.

Besides teaching people how to become financially independent from the moment they step into a school — instead of algebra — what the world needs is more warmth and consciousness. We can’t keep ignoring the elephant in the room. I think if it’s one of your concerns, too, and you don’t know what to do, a first step would be to start a discussion — and keep it open-ended.