Crossing the Line.

I may be a little biased writing this, but I feel that people should really open themselves just a little. True, I am a nursing student. But I am also a citizen of this world. And so is each and every other human being in this world. So doesn’t everyone deserve the same respect and dignity?

Okay, I will probably get a thousand questions asked for that last sentence I wrote; questioning me about the criminals. Do criminals deserve the same respect and dignity as others? I say, if they were in their conscious mind when they committed the crime, then NO, they don't deserve the same dignity and respect as others. But I am not talking about criminals here. I am talking about the poor, the homeless.

We often ignore the people on the streets. We notice the pretty colours on the stores’ windows; we notice the nice poster for the up-coming movies; BUT we never take the time to notice these people living in the street. This is because we cave into the stigma associated with the people on the streets. We see ONE homeless person being rude, loud, using vulgar language, and being violent; and we automatically apply this image to ALL other homeless on the streets. Is it fair for the rest of them to have to walk around with this label caused by one homeless person? I guess its human nature to do this as we do it so often.

People are scared to go near a homeless person. WHY? They have nothing on them. No roof over their heads, no food to eat, no change of clothes. So why are you scared of them? They can’t harm you.

I am so thankful, that I decided to apply for this placement for my school. Because I have learned so much, beyond what my school expected me to learn. I have to be completely honest here. I guess, before I took this placement I had caved into the stigma too. But now my eyes are opened. I have been exposed to their lifestyle, and it saddens me to see how some people react when they come across a homeless person.

The last time I was doing the homeless out reach, I was noticing the expressions of the people who passed by. I, along with a colleague and a staff of this organization (not mentioned for privacy reasons), were talking to this one homeless person on the streets. And no lie, EVERY single person who passed by us gave us a look. A look that portrayed “what are you doing talking to that homeless guy”. It was a look that said “oh no, you have crossed the line”.

WHAT LINE? How can you create a line there? Are they not a person? Are they not human being? Are they not a citizen of this world? Sure, they do not have roof over their heads. Sure, they don’t have food to eat. Sure, instead of worrying about what to wear, they worry about whether or not it’s going to rain during the night. But does that change the fact that they are still a human being that needs to breathe and eat to survive?

People usually create an imaginary line in their everyday life; usually to stop themselves from doing something they will regret. The truth is we all do it. We all draw lines in our lives to prevent ourselves from doing something wrong. And that is perfectly understandable. But, doesn’t it sound ridiculous that it is okay to smile at those walking by in the streets, but not okay to even look at those living in the streets? Smiling at a homeless person and saying hello is not something that you will regret. Smiling and saying hello to these people is not a mistake. In fact, next time you walk by a homeless person, say hello. Ask them how their day is going. If they are panhandling, ask them how their business is going. It is perfectly legal to panhandle in Canada. I am not asking you to give them money if they are panhandling. Because I don't believe that the money they get from panhandling goes to food. Most homeless people do have addiction problems. And although you should respect and let them do what they want to do with the money, I suggest you don't give money because it is most likely going to their addiction problem and not to food. BUT just talk to them, make their day. They don’t have anyone else to talk with. And if someone says hello to them I’m sure they will appreciate it.

Don’t draw a line where the line is not needed. Because it is not a mistake to put a smile on a homeless person’s face. And if you have already drawn that line, then go ahead CROSS THE LINE. You'll see this won't be something you'll regret.

Mixed emotions.

LIVE YOUR LIFE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST! CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS FOR YOU!! ------------->(picture taken from google image)


Near Death Experience!

Well I guess you can't call it a near death experience, since I was not really lying on the floor bleeding to death (unless someone intervened) or anything like that. But it was close (in my opinion lol).

The feeling that you get, the mixed emotions you get, the puzzle-confused state of mind you are in, all comes off very strong when you think that you are about to die. And all these combined hit you so hard that it’s hard to breath.

You start rewinding your life. You start realizing there is so much more you want to do. For that split second you start hating yourself for not listening to your friend who had told you to live your life. You feel guilty for not letting your family know that you love them, before you headed out. You feel guilty for the last time you lied about something to someone. You start feeling bad for not going to that last party you were invited to. Because you think that this it, this is the end.

If you hadn't till this point, you realize how much you love your family, mom dad brothers sisters, uncles aunts, grandparents. You start remembering that one friend of yours that you have known for the longest time, and has been with you through thick and thin. You remember your other close friends, whether they live in near or far. You start remembering everything and everyone you care about.

Now you are all going to think, "Wow this girl is talking like she’s in the hospital bed surviving from some serious life threatening trauma." I am not trying to mock those who are because I'm sure my emotions that I felt when I went through this incident is nothing compared to what some people are going through daily (i.e. those on a limited time waiting for a donor heart, or those with terminally ill disease and many others)

Now to get to the incident part of this story: I was driving back home from plaza last weekend. I was just turning right. The light was red. But if I could have stopped I could have made a right and gone as there were no cars there. BUT my brake didn't work! I couldn't stop, or slow down for that matter, I was at a 70km/h. Thank goodness there was no cars on the lane I was in, and the lights had turned green, because there was no stopping. I passed the intersection and I push on the brakes again! Doesn't work! That's when I thought "okay brake failed, I am going to die today" I don't know when you are in that situation, you forget that there is emergency brakes. But few seconds into rewinding my life and getting a perspective on life, I realized there is a hand brake I could try. But before I tried the hand brake I tried the foot brake again, and it worked! I made right into the next intersection. Side parked the car. Turned of the engine, looked back at the road and started laughing, not knowing what to feel. Anyways, I started the car, and came home.

I guess there was a good thing that came out of this terrifying incident. Some aspects of life did come into a clearer perspective for me. I realized who I truly care about!