Vendor Writing
Haikus
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What is empathy?
It is your pain in my heart
How do you show it?
The Contributor (https://thecontributor.org/category/vendor-writing/page/3/)
If someone doesn’t take the paper when I’m selling it and just try to give me money, it can feel like panhandling. Even if someone comes up and says, “I only have one dollar,” I’ll say, “ok no problem here’s a paper anyway.” You know, just for the fun of it. Then they take the paper anyway because I think it’s that important that they should read it. I don’t want to throw them away if they don’t sell. If I have any old papers, I’ll also keep them around for people who may have missed an issue and want to still read it.
When we reached our final destination, and he went to detach the apparatus from my chair, he was unable to get it off.
As a custom of existing around individuals between the ages of 8 to 88 I realize the way they live is all that they ever known. So, how does one turn off that awful mode? Realistically, survival is the mainstream of living in this dog eat dog world, and it seems like there isn’t any hidden switch. From the highest trusted person to the lowest scum of the earth we all are ran by that switch. There isn’t a person that can’t say that they haven’t been used and or haven’t used someone.
This is my story. My name is Julie B. and I am homeless and have cancer in my brain. I have PTSD and a disability and it is not easy for me. I struggle every day trying to stay alive. My body can not take it for much longer.
I’m sitting here wishing things could be better. My luck here lately has not been good with selling papers. I think my injury might have a lot to do with it. I’m not able to get out there like I used to. I’m so, so sad because I have bills to pay and if I have to have surgery again I don’t know what we’re gonna do.
In my attempt to try new and different things to explore the world around me, I attended the inaugural “Sounds of Nature” event held in the Spring of this year at the Warner Park Nature Center. They hope to host this type of event quarterly — one per season. The next event is scheduled for July 27 from 7:30-9 p.m., It is free to the public, and all you have to do is register to attend online. Rachael Carter who referred to herself as a “naturalist” meaning she “celebrates species of all sorts,” began the session by asking, “How often do we take the time to listen to nature?” Speaking for myself, if I’m honest, I’d have to say almost NEVER! She continued with some relaxation/meditation techniques including a breathing exercise.
In John, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Now that’s what many churches should preach because many have a serious problem understanding how they should love their neighbor. Many times I think churches should stop for some months and every Sunday they should preach love. How important love is as a Christian. In Proverbs 10:12 it says hatred stirs up conflict but love covers all offenses, and verse 15 says, “The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, the poverty of the poor is their destruction.” Many times when I’m on my corner that’s how I feel. Simply because that’s the way people act toward the poor.
Being able to empathize with each individual I encountered and relate my personal experiences as “been there done that” angle has helped break down barriers between myself and the folks I encounter.
The Lord said to me first, “William, I am not ready for you yet, but I have some family members who want to say some things to you.”