11/10/25
I pulled up to the traffic light, knowing that someone was going to be standing out there holding a sign.
I’ve taken this exit multiple times, and in most cases, I don’t roll down the window.
I usually don’t have cash on me, or if I do, I only have large bills.
If I’m being honest, at times I just avoid the discomfort and hope the person doesn’t come up to my car.
This is in Newark, NJ, about 15 minutes from where I live, and unfortunately, there are a lot of homeless people in the area.
Lately, I’ve been feeling horrible about not giving something to a homeless person in need, so I’ve been carrying around some cash in the event I have such an interaction.
As I was waiting for the light to turn red, a gentleman walked by my car holding a sign, and I rolled down the window.
I handed him a $5 bill, and his reaction brought tears to my eyes.
He looked up to the sky, as if to say he was rescued by the money I handed him.
He thanked me so passionately, and his gratitude shook me to my core.
I wished him all the best, then the light turned green, and I drove off.
I thought about how $5…just $5…meant so much to this person in need.
I reflected on every time I’ve withheld from giving, and the guilt made my heart sink to my stomach.
I’m so fortunate that giving away $5 doesn’t make that much of a difference in my ability to live comfortably and provide for my family.
But for him, that $5 is the difference between eating a meal and going to sleep on an empty stomach.
Since this experience, I’ve decided that I will never again turn away from someone who is in need and asking for help.
Even in scenarios where I don’t have cash on me, I will offer kind words and a smile.
When I do have cash on me, I will always give.
While the lesson here can be to give to the homeless whenever we can…
It’s also a lesson about giving in general.
Oftentimes, the reason we don’t give is due to the discomfort we feel, avoidance of interactions with strangers, or resistance to sharing something that we deem is ours.
But if we all lived this way…
The world would be a pretty scary place, wouldn’t it?
I want to live in a world where we help one another, we share with one another, and we give to one another.
Don’t you?
If we wish to create such a world, then each of us needs to adopt a mindset of giving.
The world we hope for won’t appear on its own.
We build it every time we choose to give, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to give just a bit more)