Making a Difference in Small Ways Changes the World

What I love about my life is that I meet people very easily, all walks of life. I find I just have conversations with people and it feels like I’ve always known them.

Today I am housesitting and decided to go to the coffee strip for a cuppa and walk. I was feeling quite tired so the fresh air would be good.

As soon as I got out of my car there was a homeless person sitting there. I felt intuitively this is the theme of today. He said he had mental illness and money issues. I did think money won’t solve that, he has to face his fears.

I then stopped at a coffee shop. I started a chat with the owner, she told me many people are not happy these days. I told her I am happy every day. I love my life. I asked her about Christmas if she was going to have a holiday. She indicated they would stop trading but didn’t mention a holiday. I said even if you go away for a couple of days alone, it is a great way to get clarity. She agreed, her eyes drifting off with that possibility. We had a really nice chat. I ordered my coffee and apple slice (yum) and sat down. I opened up my book that speaks of the inner presence in all of us. I had just started to read when a homeless guy came up to me. I told him I can’t keep giving money to people as I am on a low income also. I decided to question him about his situation. He said he couldn’t get welfare as he was homeless. I told him I have been able to. I said why don’t you go to the local MP and ask why you are not able to get it. He asked if he could sit down with me. I said yes. I said you can create your life if you want to. I told him about the law of attraction and positive thoughts. I said you have to imagine the way you want it to be, not like a fantasy, but like you have it. I said I know it may sound fanciful but it works. He was open to it. He told me he had astral travelled. I was really surprised, the last thing I expected him to tell me. I said that is fascinating, tell me what happened. He did say he went to a place with blue people. Now most people at this point would turn off, I guess I am not most people. My mind is always open. I said did you go to another planet, he said yes. I smiled. Who am I to judge what he is saying. I had a staff member tell me she astral travelled. She said she thought going out of her body was normal as a child but found out later that most people didn’t do it. She told me some wild ideas of places she went. I had no reason to disbelieve her. How can I? I stay open to all possibilities. He looked at me and saw I am a good listener and not in judgement, so he relaxed. We talked about ways and means of creating a better future. He told me people looked down on him. I explained to him that they felt unhappy inside that is why they would do that. When you are happy you don’t look down on anyone. I said the public do not know what it is like to be homeless, if they did they would behave differently. I asked him had he been drinking. He said a guy offered him a drink. I was to find out later he is an alcoholic, around 35 years of age. So substance addiction is a real issue with homelessness. He can’t get work if he is an addict.

So we talked about self esteem. I told him until you find a way to love yourself you will stay in the space you are in. Every person is equal and worthy. Don’t believe the lie of ‘less than’. He sat and listened and shared his viewpoint. He was smiling and feeling positive, I told him to build on that feeling. I said have you thought about writing your story, he said no but he warmed to the idea. I said how about I buy you a notebook and I kick you off with a few affirmations I AM finding a home where I am happy and free, another was I AM working with plants and so on. The I AM is a statement of visualising it is happening. If it is repeated and believed, magic happens.

So he followed me across the road and I bought him a really nice pad with an angel and love heart on the front. He said he liked it. I got him a pen. We sat down and I noted he laughed a lot, there was an interesting lady speaking to this other restaurant owner, she seemed a local character. He knew her and laughed. I noted he had a great sense of humour. He knew I was a clown and I told him he could be. I told him about the Choir of Hard Knocks and how they were singing, perhaps he wanted to sing as well. This Choir is headed by a former orchestra conductor and opera singer, I am told he was world famous. He gave up his career to help the homeless. I met him recently and he asked me to speak on a panel into inclusivity. I happily did that and mentioned to the people the beauty of looking into the eyes of those disabled, mentally ill and so on. I see the beauty within. I saw it in this guy as well. When I see him smile I feel joy. Our time together came to a close and I gave him a hug. He thanked me and off he went, hopefully to consider creating a new life. He had the book I gave him and I wrote affirmations and wished him good luck.

I then walked up the road a bit further and spoke to another cafe owner quite naturally. She and I talked for about an hour about peace and inquiry (the work of Byron Katie www.thework.com). She told me her son had OCD, I offered to help her with him by doing The Work. I want to practice it. It is essentially 5 questions which determines the truth of a negative thought and turn it around. It is all about understanding that our negative thinking is projection, we see in the world what we can’t own inside ourselves. It was a wonderful conversation and I could see a real beauty in her face. She was a very kind person. It was so nice to make another friend. I gave her my contact details and hopefully we catch up again.

What I find with life, if you are open, you start to really meet people. I find it a privilege every time. I see everyone as equal and I just love the diversity in our world. I find them all my teachers. If my words can serve them in some way, I am happy. If they don’t it is fine as well. I don’t expect anything nor am I looking for praise, I find I am just happy and sharing. I don’t fear people, I really love them.

Just imagine if we could all love each other unconditionally, imagine the world that creates. I can see it in every moment.

Perhaps question your negative thinking and consider seeing all those who challenge you as a form of teacher, those who are negative are calling out for help and those lost just need some direction. They could be you. That is what it means to see yourself in the other.

We are blessed to be alive. Lets make our lives a blessing for others. That is what aliveness feels like. To make a difference in someone’s life is what life is about. To give hope emerges from honesty, oneness, peace and enjoyment. That is my model of the world.