The less you have the more you can give

I've tried to write a few times this past week and found that the direction it was taking wasn't the way I wanted to see what I put out.  

So I just dove into life, living it, watching and listening.  Over the past few weeks, I've seen some amazing things happen, yesterday though taught me a lesson.

At the end of the day, I had a large coffee carafe to carry from work to my car.  Although it wasn't too heavy, it was large enough to be a wee bit difficult.  Being the capable woman I am, I choose to carry it on my own for that block.  

Standing on the corner, waiting for the light to change two young, healthy men stood beside me.  Minding their own business.  The light changed and I proceeded to walk with this large item, stumbling but not dropping it, another man to my far right started to yell at me.  I turned my head while walking to see what was going on.  

"LADY, LET ME HELP YOU"

I giggled.. he was a bit shorter than me and was kind enough to offer.  I declined and thanked him politely.  The other two healthy young men, walked on their way not looking back.  I didn't think anything further.  

This coffee carafe had to be delivered back to the shop that provided it.  After loading it in my car, I proceeded to the store.  Parking a bit closer to the door than I would usually, I went to the back where I stored it and grabbed it out from my car with a hefty thrust.  No problem I thought.. almost done.  

As I approached the door, a man who was asking people for change to buy food, stepped in front of me.  He reached over .. and offered a hand.  As my hands were full, my heart was fuller with gratitude.  I thanked him and he followed me inside.  We chatted while in line.  He told me a bit about his life and he looked at me, smiled and said, "Thank you for saying thanks and .. thanks for listening to me".  I was taken back.  Here, this man had not a thing to offer but a hand.  

This just clarifies to me that those who have nothing are willing to give what they can and those who have everything cannot see past the clutter in their own lives to reach out to do the same.  

I go daily with gratitude.  With love.  

Some say I live with rose colored glasses, too naive to be safe, so daft that anyone could take advantage and it will be my downfall.  

I say, if it is then I've lived a good life.  I'm a pretty smart woman.  I see things for what they are good or bad and I accept it.  I hope you can too.