If you received a tax deduction for 5 minutes of your time, what would it be worth?

[Bill Cady]

Supply the motivation

This afternoon was spent with a couple longtime friends. Without getting into the why of it, much of what we discussed was the homeless community. Albeit not at my initiation, I was deemed an “expert” of sorts on the average homeless guy. So be it. If someone wants to speak of me that way, I’m not ashamed. Hell, I’m honored. By reading these pages, over 770 blog posts by now, you all realize I learned a thing or three during the 4⅓ years I was a member. I’ll always be a homeless guy as long as there are legal Americans without a roof, a bed and food to eat.

In our conversation, we discussed a number of philosophies concerning the homeless. I’m proud to say one of mine, not all that obvious unless you’ve seen it from both sides as I have, is the way we can so easily motivate people. Unknowingly. In an unstated manner.

One of my major themes in this campaign of mine to benefit homeless people has been what you, the “homed”, can supply. The best contribution you can make. From the feedback I’ve had so far, more and more people who read these posts are beginning to grasp the idea of assisting the homeless.

Call this a collection of thoughts from prior blog posts. One of the guys I was talking with today mentioned I’ve said this before. I don’t recall it, although a similar message, in part, is in a piece I’ll run soon. This one, however, will hit the idea directly. Your contribution.

It can be big. Very big. Better yet, if you can’t afford any money, or choose not to give it for some reason, you can do it with no cash or anything else. Just your time.

Spend five minutes talking with one of us. That’s it. Nothing more. Merely five minutes of your time. By doing so, you’ll let that homeless guy know someone else sees him as a man of some value. Someone who matters to another human being. Someone of importance in some way.

By increasing his feeling of self-worth, you and a few others may be the kindling to spark a fire. What he needs to give it one more try. Maybe it will motivate the guy to recover. To get out of that corner of hell where he’s been living.

You might be that key he needs. Sure, if you get in your pocket for a few bucks, that’ll be even better. Still, the most important part of your gift will be those few minutes of your time. Recognition of a man’s value. A little human kindness.

I’m just sayin’.

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