After graduation, my first job was in downtown Los Angeles (4th & Hill). With no car, I took buses, and had to transfer buses a few times (in and through WATS). Any idea how much time I spent just getting to and from work? I was taking buses when WATS had the big riots! Young, tender, and stupid ... oh, what an experience!
This morning I saw this headline: "Woman Set on Fire in LA as She Sleeps on Bench." ... this just made me sick. Here's the link about her story: http://news.yahoo.com/woman-set-fire-la-she-sleeps-bench-173532304.html
Video: http://news.yahoo.com/video/woman-critically-burned-being-set-152000685.html
I used to try and help the homeless, when I could - coins, conversation, or maybe even something as seemingly insignificant as a smile. I have been homeless, I know what it's like. I guess you really do have to walk in someone else's shoes (and they are lucky if they even have shoes, in some cases)!
I remember one time my ex-husband and I put a GALLON of cheap wine next to a curb downtown L.A. I will tell you, the vagrant who found it thought he had struck GOLD. I will never forget it.
It's so easy for people who have never been without a home, or food, or clothing, or had bad luck, hard knocks, or just plain tough times ... so easy for them to be judgemental. Just because someone is homeless, unemployed, unkept (because of no bathroom facilities) does not mean that they are not 'worthy', or that they are 'stupid'. I guess some people just get their 'kicks' by kicking someone when they're down ... what a false sense of security, power, and control. I feel sad for those who have to make life miserable, at everyone else's expense.
I want to apologize to anyone in my life who has been unintentionally hurt, by me. One thing I do know about myself is, with exception of the young and stupid years of youth, nothing I have done in my life has been done with ill intent. That's just not who I am, internally. I've been hurt too much in my life, to hurt others. Admittedly, I do display somewhat of a gruff exterior, but always have good intentions, in my heart.
As for being hurt by others, it took me many years to realize and admit that if "I" am hurt by something, or someone ... I can't blame the situation, or that person. If I am hurt, over anything in life, it is because I LET IT HAPPEN, period.