"My answer for the longest time was to be lonely. "

Last night I was reminded of my question that I pose to all my students “what is the worst way of being, that you could be in your life?”

My answer for the longest time was to be lonely.

Why? If you were hungry and someone shares a piece of bread with you, the hunger subsides with their company. If you're cold and someone shares their space with you in an embrace, the cold sting goes away. If you are sad and someone tries to make you laugh, your mood changes. But if you are alone none of this can happen.

Last night I shared the story of my encounter with this girl sitting on the street on a winter night. As I passed by I heard her whisper “I’m so cold…”

I stopped as I know what it is like to feel cold and I do not believe anyone needs to feel the sting of Old Man Winter’s touch. So I told her I choose not to give her money, but I can get her something to eat, soup to warm her up or something hot to drink.

She replied “Thank you but I don't need any of that. I appreciate that you stopped though.”

At that moment I was at a loss for words as I became aware that even in her current situation there is something worse that she could be.

And that was invisible.

I've been lonely, and cold, hungry but when I imagine that I was invisible, the people just ignored me as if I didn't exist I felt my stomach twist into a knot.

We are all human, we all desire connection and community. So what happened to the world in terms of compassion and empathy?

I'm not a saint, I have failed by ignoring a street person. But now when I see them, I take a moment and I ask myself "what would I want if I was in their place?"

Would it be money?

Food?

Or just an acknowledgement that I actually exist?

#chasingbutterflies