I have been honored and blessed to have the opportunity to meet people
from all across the world (mostly Europe) while in London the last year. However,
I don’t think you always need to go that far to be inspired – the people you
might learn the most from might be right at your door stoop, literally. The two
people I believe to have influenced me the most (or at least a great deal)
while on this journey have been Bingo and Joanne, two of my friends in London (who
just happen to be homeless).
In Texas, it seems that we just roll up our windows at the intersection
where people are begging for money. We do not get that personal, human-to-human,
interaction that you do in a walking city (a London, NYC, etc). Which can
really be quite a shame - because these two individuals have given me a
slightly new perspective on life that I will take with me forever. I would like
to share five of the lessons:
(1) A warm smile and a fist pump go a long way.
People living in London are not exactly known to be the most open and
friendly people (but then again, isn’t that most big cities?). I can go my entire
commute without a look, let alone a smile. I am merely something in the way
from other people who are “oh so important” who are trying to get from point A
to point B. Once I befriended Bingo, I had someone who always greeted me with a
genuine smile and a fist pump – even on my worst day. That small gesture
sometimes made me feel just a little bit better when the rain and cold were
getting the best of me.
(2) Bad things happen to good people. I was
lucky enough to hear Joanne’s story. Her story could have happened to me, you,
or anyone. Be grateful for what you have because you might not have it one day –
And don’t pass any judgment, because tomorrow? You might find yourself in the
same situation. Joana has the kindest of hearts and has almost been a Mom-away-from
home for me in many aspects. She never asks me for a cigarette or an alcoholic beverage
– when I beg her to let me buy her something? Yea, she asks for a prawn salad. Because
it’s hard to get healthy food on a budget. Take the time and listen.
(3) It is all about how you look at things. Actually, in this case, literally. I could not
get contacts to the UK for awhile (damn customs, etc). I had to wear my glasses
(kill my ego now). Bingo patiently listened to my update every day on the
contacts-saga. One day, when he asked about my day, I complained to him about
how “frustrating the optometrist reception was” and “how customs stinks” and I’m
wearing GLASSES again. I asked Bingo how he was and he said “I am blessed”.
Well damn. Here I am complaining about glasses to a homeless man when I am
about to walk into my warm hotel room on a rainy day, and he is the one who is
blessed? Hm.
(4) Give back. Joanne volunteers with a
passion. She volunteers at her church and she sang in a Christmas Choir group.
She has every right to say “life threw me lemons” and not want to help people
when others don’t always help her. But not Jo. She GIVES to those less
fortunate. There is always going to be someone better off than you – and always
someone less fortunate. If my friend Jo can give back, there is no reason the
rest of us can’t.
(5) Friendship is really just a listening ear. Both
Joanne and Bingo have been a listening ear and a warm consistent friend. They
take the time to ask me daily about life/work/relationships/etc. It isn’t
always about who you go to the bars with – it is about who is there for you
when you just want to chat. Real friendship is that genuine interest in someone
else’s life – which I can only hope that I bring to my other friendships and
make my friends feel as special as they make me feel daily.
