Be Kind Anyway.

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Sometime ago, I came across a woman with her kid, not sure anymore if it was one kid I saw with her or two. I thought they were resting or waiting for someone just by the road side. As I approached I saw her standing up from where she was sitting and walking towards my direction, before I realised what was going on, I saw her pointing her plate towards me, signaling with her hands to her mouth that they were hungry...

I didn't have much with me, I only had my t.fare, I was "broke" myself but as I left her there disappointed for not getting something from me, I felt bad too. I felt I could have just done something somehow but I eventually consoled myself.

But you know, my experience with beggars hasn't been a very good one, they are almost changing my personality. I'm someone who is kind to a very remarkable degree but when I see people take advantage of my kindness, I become the opposite because I feel you are taking me for a fool.

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I've had to give some persons money before thinking they were genuinely in dire need of the financial assistance only to find out a few days after that it was business for them. They walk up to you, say all manner of emotional stuff just to get you to give something.

And then few days later you find them doing the same thing to another person, this time telling them something entirely different, taking advantage of people's kind heartedness. Things like this makes me feel very bad. It's in all of these that I made a resolve, you might not be cool with it but I feel it's the way to go.

When you come to me for alms and I take a quick look at you and noticed you're an able bodied person, I would totally disregard you. Why should a person who is not physically challenged settle for such. I understand there are exceptional cases like people who are stranded and the likes but how do we even know if their story is true...

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Secondly I try to avoid kids whose parents are able bodied parents but stand by at a corner and then send their children out to beg for alms. That's the height of irresponsibility. Why would you subject your children to such degrading acts. I do not rate such a parent nor do I succumb to their emotional blackmail. They are trying to be smart not knowing they are actually not.

These two sets of individuals do not always fall into my good books when it comes to giving of some sort of financial support or alms. But am I saying people should not be helped? Nah nah! Help as much as you can but don't be the reason why people who are meant to work remain jobless because kind people like you would always drop by to give them money.

Be discerning as you render help and support to people around you especially strangers who you do not really know. And do not let the actions of the bad eggs among these vulnerable people change who you are. Still find a way to be kind especially when you're convinced in your heart about rendering some sort of help or giving alms to People.

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Regards
@lhorgic❤️