Nothing signals the holidays quite like the Salvation Army bell and bucket at the front of every retail establishment. Behind the jingle and the smile stands a reality which is far from festive. Unfortunately, many of our friends will spend the holiday season on the streets and in crowded shelters.
Although seasonal giving is good it is not good enough. So here is an idea to think about while you are infused with the spirit of generosity. By all means give your money to support organizations which provide support for the homeless. However, institutions alone are not enough. Each homeless person is an individual with a life history. Because of this it takes personal friendship to really make a difference. So step out of your comfort zone and make personal contact with a homeless person this Christmas. You can do it. Yes you can.
I have done this and it has transformed my life for the better. Such cross class friendships have touched me deeply and opened my life in ways I never imagined. I hope that you will follow this blog and open yourself up to the 'theory' of cross class friendship. Beyond this I hope you will take a step out of your social comfort zone and actually connect with someone on the other side of the economic line. Whether it happens at Christmas or not isn't really important. Not when it happens but that it happens is the important thing.
In the movie Aladdin, the Genie character voiced by Robin Williams says to Aladdin, "You ain't never had a friend like me." He was right. Go ahead, reach out to a homeless person. I think you will find that you have never had such a friend.
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