What I Learned about Giving Up from Interacting with a Homeless Person
I always thought that giving up was a sign of weakness. I was wrong. The day I stopped to talk with a homeless person and learned about their life, my outlook on life changed forever. It's not easy being in such a vulnerable place, but it is possible to get back on your feet - if you let go of the negative thoughts telling you otherwise!
"You can't give up!" I said to the homeless person who seemed to be resigned to his life on the street. "This is America! You have a voice and you are capable of making changes." He looked at me in the eye for what felt like an eternity before responding, "If only it were that easy."
There are many people who don't think giving up is an option when they're going through something difficult in life. This is understandable because your identity becomes wrapped up in the idea that you can get out of anything if you just keep trying hard enough.
But what does it say about someone when they give up? I learned a lot about this topic from interacting with a homeless person that I met on my commute to work one day. The first time I saw a homeless person, I felt pity. The second time, anger. The third time, sadness.
Confusion and awe at how to help this situation that is getting worse every day. This blog post will talk about what I learned from interacting with a homeless person on the streets of Stafford, Virginia for three months straight -- especially during one cold November night when the temperature was below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
There's something to be said about the power of giving up. I've learned that it is not an option for me, but for some people, it is what they choose. When you give up on a dream or goal, you are telling yourself that there are things in your life more important than accomplishing those goals and dreams.
Giving up can lead to feeling unworthy and less confident in who you are as a person. But sometimes we need to take time away from our goals so we can come back with more energy and passion for them later on down the road when the timing feels right.
Everyone has their own personal struggles. We all have something in our lives that we are struggling to deal with. It may be a struggle at work or school, it may be an addiction, or maybe you feel like giving up on life altogether. I once had the opportunity to interact with a homeless person while volunteering for a Washington DC shelter and what I learned from him about dealing with difficult times was eye-opening.
Many people will tell you that giving up is not an option, but what if you are a person who has nothing to give? It's easy for me to say that I would never give up because I am privileged enough to have so much. But there was one night when I spent time with a homeless person that made me realize just how important it is not to give up. Throughout the course of our talk, we discussed the importance of faith and why giving up isn't an option.
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I couldn't think of anything worse than being homeless. I imagine that if living on the streets or even in a car was to be my fate, giving up would be my choice rather than battling to get through each day.
However, as long as I have a roof over my head giving up would not occur to me.
Only one chance at this life on earth so making the most of it has to be my No.1 choice.
Valerie.
Thank you so much Valerie, talking to them changed my views on life. Homeless are great people, and we have to help as much as we can.
Eugene,
Thanks for sharing with us your experience,
Same thing when i was battling my health issue, when a person does not want to give up it means there's a solution no matter what.
It's a fight that it's not over until to the last of my breath, usually you win cuz of your determine to do so.
I came out the winner for i take back my health:)
You move me Eugene,
joce
👏👏👏👏👏Gracias por tu historia, tu tomaste una decision y venciste el problema. Te felicito Jocelyn.
Tambien feliz Eugene porque es dificil, pero estoy libre de cancer de mama desde have quatro anos!
Besos y abrazos
Diosa
There are different levels of giving up. I remember hearing the story of a wealthy man that left everything behind to deliberately become homeless.
On a personally level, I came very close to giving up when I believed the doctors who told me I would most likely never walk again.
Many of us live from pay day to pay day. How easy would it be to give up if our 'Pay' stopped for some reason.
Thank you Eugene for your thought provoking blog
All the best. Jim
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Excellent Post & Share Eugene showing what the homeless people are exposed to Mentally & Physically. Many former military beings are proof of this diaster when returning from the battlefield. They offer many things such as Education, health care etc. but can only be used if they already have a place to live and eat etc. That is were the divide occurs for homelessness a place to live and eat & a center close enough for them to get in a reasonable environment. We do everything to recruit them but do not do everthing to reward them. If we stop having wars, maybe things will change for those who give the most for our country.
As a former veteran, I agree with your statement. Thanks Ed for your feedback, I greatly appreciate.