My daughter lives in San Francisco and is very troubled by the number of homeless people that she sees on a daily basis. Though she survives paycheck to paycheck like so many Americans do and often eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, she considers herself blessed to have a loving family, a roof over her head and a job.
My daughter is doing her share to feed the homeless and I am very proud of her. As a Jew, she is performing a mitzvah (worthy deed)…As a human being, she is making a difference in the world.
My daughter is greatly disturbed by the obvious differences in lifestyles that she sees in her day to day experiences. As a professional, she caters to many wealthy people who are self indulgent. She does not judge them… she just finds it hard to fathom the vast differences between them and the poverty stricken individuals who are homeless and hungry and filled with despair.
Last night I told my daughter that one person can make a difference. It may not feel that way when you are giving food to a hungry person and hundreds more are in need. But imagine if everyone in San Francisco (and all over the world) extended generosity and love to just one other human being…sharing their loaf of bread or their warm blanket with a stranger in need….Imagine what a beautiful world it could be.
It starts with a single act of kindness…….
