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I agree it’s best to give to various organizations/trusted charities; that said, I’d never knock (the intention/compassion of) someone who gave a few bucks directly to a homeless person. It seems an odd thing to be critical about relative to the thread/a philosophy forum.
You live in San Francisco, so you do you, but you are out of step with us in flyover country.
You live in San Francisco, so you do you, but you are out of step with us in flyover country.
I don’t give money directly to the homeless; I donate to several charities/organizations. However, I have purchased a burger or sandwich for several (‘regulars’) over the years to/from work; and I know of many who have dropped a few bucks into a pail now and then (or often).
That said, I think you still miss (what I believe to be) the essential point relative to the thread i.e. compassion/empathy. It really isn’t about who you help, how many, or in what way; in fact, for many, it doesn’t involve money at all. It’s that one has the desire/compassion/empathy to help those who are less fortunate, as a whole.
I don’t give money directly to the homeless; I donate to several charities/organizations. However, I have purchased a burger or sandwich for several (‘regulars’) over the years to/from work; and I know of many who have dropped a few bucks into a pail now and then (or often).
That said, I think you still miss (what I believe to be) the essential point relative to the thread i.e. compassion/empathy. It really isn’t about who you help, how many, or in what way; in fact, for many, it doesn’t involve money at all. It’s that one has the desire/compassion/empathy to help those who are less fortunate, as a whole.
Motives are for people who don't do anything. Actions count, regardless of motive.
I agree; to take it a step further, I don’t know why anyone would care/attempt to judge such. It’s our own motivation/action that matters (and we’re the only ones who know/guide it).
Sometimes I have grandiose ideas that I must "do my best" to try to "do something useful for mankind"...
But then I start to wonder if that's just a naive vanity, and if in fact no single individual among billions of people can do anything "useful for mankind"... And if it's not better to just care about my individual happiness and forget about those grandiose ideas...
I wonder if you are referring to the ideal often expressed as "Make a Difference in the World". Lots of people make a difference, are useful, but don't even realize it. Everything you do, any kind of energy (kindness, compassion, rage, etc) you put out, creates a shift in all of existence. Kindness is something as simple as holding a door open for someone coming up behind you; helping some one lift a heavy box; making dinner for friends; calling someone up to wish them a happy birthday. These actions have a ripple effect. Those people you helped tend pay it forward because they carry the effect of your kind actions with them subconsciously for all time. The ripple carries on into infinity. This is how you can make a difference in the world.
Being self-centered is not wrong. You spread more vibrant energy when you are solid with yourself and grounded. Strive to be the best that you can be and be thoughtful and kind.
I don’t give money directly to the homeless; I donate to several charities/organizations. However, I have purchased a burger or sandwich for several (‘regulars’) over the years to/from work; and I know of many who have dropped a few bucks into a pail now and then (or often).
That said, I think you still miss (what I believe to be) the essential point relative to the thread i.e. compassion/empathy. It really isn’t about who you help, how many, or in what way; in fact, for many, it doesn’t involve money at all. It’s that one has the desire/compassion/empathy to help those who are less fortunate, as a whole.
I agree about helping the less fortunate, but I’d rather do it through an organization, like a food bank, or the Salvation Army, etc. rather than fund a guy’s next bottle of cheap vodka.
I’m critical of the method, not the intention. It is best to give your money to something that has proven to actually do good, not to an individual just to make yourself feel better.
For example, the BLM movement was supposed to promote awareness of a perceived unfairness between police and black people. Yet, the organizers used their own people to line their own pockets.
So ask them what they want and go to the store and get it for them...
I've done that before.
One homeless guy hangs around the Popeyes where I live and he said he prefers KFC, so I met him over at KFC and bought him that.
I will also mention, no matter what they do with the money, you are better off than they are, and that's WHY you are giving them the money.
As a practical example, there's things you can do in terms of just 'taking it easier' in terms of the things you already do.
Do you know how ecstatic your tenants would be if you did NOT raise the rent as much as you possibly could ... so they have to move?
Or if you took it easier on your employees?
What if you knew they were in a difficult situation.
Or, in the extreme... maybe you give a job to somebody who REALLY wants that job and not just somebody who has 5 years of experience with 5 different companies.
Might change their life.
Etc, etc.
I mean yea I get. It's a tooth and nail fight for money and resources to provide for YOUR family, but...
So ask them what they want and go to the store and get it for them...
I've done that before.
One homeless guy hangs around the Popeyes where I live and he said he prefers KFC, so I met him over at KFC and bought him that.
I will also mention, no matter what they do with the money, you are better off than they are, and that's WHY you are giving them the money.
I don’t believe in using my hard earned money to help someone kill themself faster. If I had the opportunity to provide food for someone who was hungry, I would gladly do that.
I agree about helping the less fortunate, but I’d rather do it through an organization, like a food bank, or the Salvation Army, etc. rather than fund a guy’s next bottle of cheap vodka.
Yep, we do agree; point being, I don’t concern myself with what others do i.e. if someone wants to drop a few bucks into a pail, have at it. As stated previously, at least they’re trying vs. those who are cold-hearted to the plight of the homeless, as a whole.
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