Comments on: A Five Minute Car Ride Apart http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/ MUSIC NEWS COMMENTARY DESIGN ACTIVISM Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:46:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: zitadawn http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-35091 zitadawn Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:39:19 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-35091 Updating my earlier story. It's 10:25 pm and black and cold outside. And my dogs lit afire barking at a knock at my door 5 minutes ago, even the one who rarely barks. I looked outside, peeping anxiously with my brother on the phone, and saw a familiar face. The man from about a week ago was back, along with a thick blanket of snow. He was asking for food for his kids again in exchange for shoveling my walkway. I myself am anxiously waiting on payday, drowning little by little by home insurance and mortgage and heating and water and bills and bills and bills. The food in my cupboards is all I have for another week. But it is more than enough, far far more than enough when there is a 4 year old and a 6 year old hungry just a few houses down. I loaded up a big bag with half of what I have. And yet it feels insufficient. I feel like breaking down a little, I feel it coming, the tightness within my chest is gathering. Fuck I need to share this, so I don't crack. I shook his hand, I told him to come back whenever he needs to. His name is Jeff and he does whatever he needs to for his kids. It sounds funny, but they may be some of the luckiest kids in the world. Updating my earlier story.

It’s 10:25 pm and black and cold outside. And my dogs lit afire barking at a knock at my door 5 minutes ago, even the one who rarely barks. I looked outside, peeping anxiously with my brother on the phone, and saw a familiar face.

The man from about a week ago was back, along with a thick blanket of snow. He was asking for food for his kids again in exchange for shoveling my walkway.

I myself am anxiously waiting on payday, drowning little by little by home insurance and mortgage and heating and water and bills and bills and bills. The food in my cupboards is all I have for another week.

But it is more than enough, far far more than enough when there is a 4 year old and a 6 year old hungry just a few houses down.

I loaded up a big bag with half of what I have. And yet it feels insufficient.

I feel like breaking down a little, I feel it coming, the tightness within my chest is gathering.

Fuck I need to share this, so I don’t crack.

I shook his hand, I told him to come back whenever he needs to.

His name is Jeff and he does whatever he needs to for his kids.

It sounds funny, but they may be some of the luckiest kids in the world.

]]> By: CC http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34744 CC Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:33:55 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34744 I don't think people are oblivious to any sort of social plight. They make themselves immune to it as a measure of self preservation, because we all have our crosses to bear. I don’t think people are oblivious to any sort of social plight. They make themselves immune to it as a measure of self preservation, because we all have our crosses to bear.

]]> By: margo_0 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34729 margo_0 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:44:22 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34729 for those who were wondering i live in toronto. and thank you for the advice and help you've offered. it actually brought a tear to my eye. complete strangers who've never even met me or spoke to me before took interest in what i had to say and tried to help me. a month ago i told a few friends and they didnt seem to take it very seriously at all, which definately didnt make me feel any better. im still not sure about what im going to do about my situation.. but thank you for taking the time to read what i wrote and speak to me about it. it did make me feel a bit better. for those who were wondering i live in toronto. and thank you for the advice and help you’ve offered. it actually brought a tear to my eye. complete strangers who’ve never even met me or spoke to me before took interest in what i had to say and tried to help me. a month ago i told a few friends and they didnt seem to take it very seriously at all, which definately didnt make me feel any better. im still not sure about what im going to do about my situation.. but thank you for taking the time to read what i wrote and speak to me about it. it did make me feel a bit better.

]]> By: Moonlight Graham http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34657 Moonlight Graham Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:37:26 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34657 I don't know what to say after reading Matt's wonderful piece. My compassion for people who suffer has become enormous in the past few years. Maybe its because i've gotten older, or maybe its because i've gone through a great deal myself. Often seeing/reading about suffering in the news, be it war, poverty, or otherwise, just overwhelms me with sadness that i have to leave what i'm doing & lay down or just go do something else more cheery like watch Seinfeld or something to take my mind of these horrible things. I was raised Catholic. I'm not hugely religious, but i believe in God. I have often question my faith, as most do. Until recenly i often wondered that if God really existed, how can he allow all of this suffering to occur (like global poverty, atrocities in Nazi Germany, Rwanda, Darfur etc.)? Some 'wise' people's answer to this is that in order to know happiness, we must also know suffering. But this answer didn't fly with me. One can know happiness without starving to near-death or watch their parents be mutilated. Recently i did figure out the answer on my own though. God lets suffering in the world to occur & doesn't stop it on his own because we, humankind, have the means to stop it ourselves. I wish more people, especially those well-off, would do more to stop all the preventable suffering that occurs in this world. But i have to say that my opinion & hope for mankind isn't very high right now, given the way we have acted the past several centuries & beyond. These would be one of those moments where i have to go watch Seinfeld, no joke. I don’t know what to say after reading Matt’s wonderful piece. My compassion for people who suffer has become enormous in the past few years. Maybe its because i’ve gotten older, or maybe its because i’ve gone through a great deal myself. Often seeing/reading about suffering in the news, be it war, poverty, or otherwise, just overwhelms me with sadness that i have to leave what i’m doing & lay down or just go do something else more cheery like watch Seinfeld or something to take my mind of these horrible things.

I was raised Catholic. I’m not hugely religious, but i believe in God. I have often question my faith, as most do. Until recenly i often wondered that if God really existed, how can he allow all of this suffering to occur (like global poverty, atrocities in Nazi Germany, Rwanda, Darfur etc.)? Some ‘wise’ people’s answer to this is that in order to know happiness, we must also know suffering. But this answer didn’t fly with me. One can know happiness without starving to near-death or watch their parents be mutilated.

Recently i did figure out the answer on my own though. God lets suffering in the world to occur & doesn’t stop it on his own because we, humankind, have the means to stop it ourselves.

I wish more people, especially those well-off, would do more to stop all the preventable suffering that occurs in this world. But i have to say that my opinion & hope for mankind isn’t very high right now, given the way we have acted the past several centuries & beyond. These would be one of those moments where i have to go watch Seinfeld, no joke.

]]> By: jnifer http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34585 jnifer Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:34:22 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34585 I work for Victorias Front Line Services for the homeless. I know it is not as bad as Eastside, but bad enough. Everyday my heart hurts for these people, no one wanted to go grow up and say, "i wanna starve, have no where to sleep, be cold, sell my body for drugs, money or a place to stay, and be looked down upon". Every single person I have come across with in my line of work has touched me in someway. Whether its a simple "Hi Sweetie,", Can I walk you to your car after shift, or, thanks Jen for that extra sandwich, you made my day. Its amazing how I can make someones day by handing out an extra ham and cheese sandwich. I think what we will tend to ignore is that we could be one of "them". Many people from the the streets I have come to realize were once happily married, stable, a devoted parent and had some normality in there lives. Then came divorce, a child passes away, bankruptcy etc. Or, some of these people havent had a chance in hell from the start. Lots with FAS, (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), and drug addicted parents. Should our system have stepped in then, maybe it could of saved someones life. I work for Victorias Front Line Services for the homeless. I know it is not as bad as Eastside, but bad enough. Everyday my heart hurts for these people, no one wanted to go grow up and say, “i wanna starve, have no where to sleep, be cold, sell my body for drugs, money or a place to stay, and be looked down upon”. Every single person I have come across with in my line of work has touched me in someway. Whether its a simple “Hi Sweetie,”, Can I walk you to your car after shift, or, thanks Jen for that extra sandwich, you made my day. Its amazing how I can make someones day by handing out an extra ham and cheese sandwich. I think what we will tend to ignore is that we could be one of “them”. Many people from the the streets I have come to realize were once happily married, stable, a devoted parent and had some normality in there lives. Then came divorce, a child passes away, bankruptcy etc. Or, some of these people havent had a chance in hell from the start. Lots with FAS, (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), and drug addicted parents. Should our system have stepped in then, maybe it could of saved someones life.

]]> By: Kirsten12 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34584 Kirsten12 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:16:53 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34584 In the city I live in this is a big problem. It angers me everytime I see less fortunate people begging for money on the street, or witnessing their metal illness. Someone needs to step in. Nobody should suffer this way. I don't see how ignoring the problem is the answer. Our governments have put their focuses on the wrong areas. They speak of homeland security.... But our "homeland" is often forgotten.... In the city I live in this is a big problem. It angers me everytime I see less fortunate people begging for money on the street, or witnessing their metal illness. Someone needs to step in. Nobody should suffer this way. I don’t see how ignoring the problem is the answer. Our governments have put their focuses on the wrong areas. They speak of homeland security…. But our “homeland” is often forgotten….

]]> By: Cabbage http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34581 Cabbage Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:35:08 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34581 Thanks for contributing to Street Corner Matt. The newsletter is an amazing concept, I only have utmost respect for three of my friends who are actively involved with the creation of the magazine every month. I believe your contribution will appear in the December newsletter. Thanks for contributing to Street Corner Matt. The newsletter is an amazing concept, I only have utmost respect for three of my friends who are actively involved with the creation of the magazine every month. I believe your contribution will appear in the December newsletter.

]]> By: marypoppins http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34576 marypoppins Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:29:35 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34576 [quote comment="34564"][quote comment="34516"]My daughter has autism and I as a mother, do everything I can do to get her the help she needs. Occupational therapy, behavior therapy, art therapy, music therapy, dance, doctors like you wouldn't believe... we are in Children's Hospital once a month. Trying to get this under control... to give her anything I can so that she will have the skills to be accepted socially, and able to live independently when she becomes an adult. If this problem isn't addressed with youth now - the rate of street people will increase with the increase of mental illnesses and disabilities of families that can not afford the support and intervention that is needed now.[/quote] your daughter is lucky to have you. i find myself stuck in a rut.. i suffer from severe anxiety, possibly agoraphobia, but the guilt it would cause me to ask my parents for help is unbearable. i know we dont have the money, we definately dont have the money.. so i sit there waiting alone for things to fix themselves (which they obviously wont) and slowly slip deeper and deeper into depression. i guess everyone was wrong, money does buy you happiness... i just wish i could skip ahead 20 years. when your 16, you cant do all that much to help yourself..[/quote] If you live in Vancouver, there is an anxiety disorders clinic at UBC hospital that provide efficacious treatment for anxiety related disorders. All you need is a doctors referral and the the treatment provide is covered by MSP. Quoting margo_0:

Quoting k@r@:

My daughter has autism and I as a mother, do everything I can do to get her the help she needs. Occupational therapy, behavior therapy, art therapy, music therapy, dance, doctors like you wouldn’t believe… we are in Children’s Hospital once a month. Trying to get this under control… to give her anything I can so that she will have the skills to be accepted socially, and able to live independently when she becomes an adult. If this problem isn’t addressed with youth now - the rate of street people will increase with the increase of mental illnesses and disabilities of families that can not afford the support and intervention that is needed now.

your daughter is lucky to have you. i find myself stuck in a rut.. i suffer from severe anxiety, possibly agoraphobia, but the guilt it would cause me to ask my parents for help is unbearable. i know we dont have the money, we definately dont have the money.. so i sit there waiting alone for things to fix themselves (which they obviously wont) and slowly slip deeper and deeper into depression. i guess everyone was wrong, money does buy you happiness…

i just wish i could skip ahead 20 years. when your 16, you cant do all that much to help yourself..

If you live in Vancouver, there is an anxiety disorders clinic at UBC hospital that provide efficacious treatment for anxiety related disorders. All you need is a doctors referral and the the treatment provide is covered by MSP.

]]> By: deb http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34570 deb Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:17:11 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34570 margo.... not only that, sometimes the schools can have some pull when it comes to having assessments done and getting an action plan. My daughter suffers from anxiety disorder and depression and her school connected her to a youth worker at the Children's Ministry. She receives counselling and has also been referred to a psychiatrist and it was all through the school system. They do have provisions for youth, as Phaedra stated, it's just not always that obvious. If you have a counsellor at school that you trust, approach them with this and see if they can help you. Good luck. No kid your age should have to suffer or worry that they can't "afford" help. ;) margo….

not only that, sometimes the schools can have some pull when it comes to having assessments done and getting an action plan.

My daughter suffers from anxiety disorder and depression and her school connected her to a youth worker at the Children’s Ministry. She receives counselling and has also been referred to a psychiatrist and it was all through the school system. They do have provisions for youth, as Phaedra stated, it’s just not always that obvious.

If you have a counsellor at school that you trust, approach them with this and see if they can help you.

Good luck. No kid your age should have to suffer or worry that they can’t “afford” help.

;)

]]> By: Phaedra http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34565 Phaedra Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:56:41 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34565 margo_0, if you live in BC, and you are able go to the doctor and get a diagnosis, any psych pharmacutical is covered under 'Plan G',. This should be relatively easy for you to get, as you are a minor, and still in school....your doctor just needs to fill out a form. This also includes visits with a counselor, but I know there is a bit of a wait list for that. There are free services for those who need them, but they tend to be a bit hard to source out. Best of luck! margo_0, if you live in BC, and you are able go to the doctor and get a diagnosis, any psych pharmacutical is covered under ‘Plan G’,. This should be relatively easy for you to get, as you are a minor, and still in school….your doctor just needs to fill out a form. This also includes visits with a counselor, but I know there is a bit of a wait list for that. There are free services for those who need them, but they tend to be a bit hard to source out.

Best of luck!

]]> By: margo_0 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34564 margo_0 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:45:01 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34564 [quote comment="34516"]My daughter has autism and I as a mother, do everything I can do to get her the help she needs. Occupational therapy, behavior therapy, art therapy, music therapy, dance, doctors like you wouldn't believe... we are in Children's Hospital once a month. Trying to get this under control... to give her anything I can so that she will have the skills to be accepted socially, and able to live independently when she becomes an adult. If this problem isn't addressed with youth now - the rate of street people will increase with the increase of mental illnesses and disabilities of families that can not afford the support and intervention that is needed now.[/quote] your daughter is lucky to have you. i find myself stuck in a rut.. i suffer from severe anxiety, possibly agoraphobia, but the guilt it would cause me to ask my parents for help is unbearable. i know we dont have the money, we definately dont have the money.. so i sit there waiting alone for things to fix themselves (which they obviously wont) and slowly slip deeper and deeper into depression. i guess everyone was wrong, money does buy you happiness... i just wish i could skip ahead 20 years. when your 16, you cant do all that much to help yourself.. Quoting k@r@:

My daughter has autism and I as a mother, do everything I can do to get her the help she needs. Occupational therapy, behavior therapy, art therapy, music therapy, dance, doctors like you wouldn’t believe… we are in Children’s Hospital once a month. Trying to get this under control… to give her anything I can so that she will have the skills to be accepted socially, and able to live independently when she becomes an adult. If this problem isn’t addressed with youth now - the rate of street people will increase with the increase of mental illnesses and disabilities of families that can not afford the support and intervention that is needed now.

your daughter is lucky to have you. i find myself stuck in a rut.. i suffer from severe anxiety, possibly agoraphobia, but the guilt it would cause me to ask my parents for help is unbearable. i know we dont have the money, we definately dont have the money.. so i sit there waiting alone for things to fix themselves (which they obviously wont) and slowly slip deeper and deeper into depression. i guess everyone was wrong, money does buy you happiness…

i just wish i could skip ahead 20 years. when your 16, you cant do all that much to help yourself..

]]> By: hopeforchange http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34557 hopeforchange Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:17:17 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34557 Well as I read it before and so simply put: *you must be the change you wish to see in the world* That was from Ghandi. I have to say that I have been a long time reader.. but I had to post something. I grew up poor.. I was once one of those children who didnt get new clothes or food sometimes. It was a sad life I led..but my mother, a angel, did the best she could..We slept in cars, in a friends basement and garage. We had a crappy life for a while.. but she always had a smile to share. Now, by the grace of God, I have a small but simple apartment, a son, a job and food. And like Matthew suffer from Bi-polar disorder.. I have the more sever depression and take meds ( which I thank God that I can afford-living in Pennsylvania/Amercia-its a small miracle) it always kills me to see the less fortunate who have nothing and people just never look twice.. they were someones son, sister, daughter, brother, lover or baby at some time.. when did we stop caring about them and care more about the newest and latest tech? We have a homeless man who comes to my work ( I work at a hotel) and he never has enough money for the rate of the room.. but I give him one anyways. He cleans up, we have a nice meal sent to him.. he gets one night of warmth and a hot shower a week.. and he never complains about his life.. he smiles and says to me *Sometimes we draw the short end of the stick* . I hope to never be in his place.. but I can always say that we try at times to make someones life much more simple and beautiful. A smile goes a long way.. a ear to listen and kind word is more then enough at times. These people never really wanted this for themselves.. they had dreams and wishes when they were younger. Be that as it is.. we can talk or we can act.. some choose to act. Thank God for people like Matthew.. thank God for people who take 5 mins to just listen... Well as I read it before and so simply put:

*you must be the change you wish to see in the world*

That was from Ghandi.

I have to say that I have been a long time reader.. but I had to post something.

I grew up poor.. I was once one of those children who didnt get new clothes or food sometimes. It was a sad life I led..but my mother, a angel, did the best she could..We slept in cars, in a friends basement and garage. We had a crappy life for a while.. but she always had a smile to share. Now, by the grace of God, I have a small but simple apartment, a son, a job and food. And like Matthew suffer from Bi-polar disorder.. I have the more sever depression and take meds ( which I thank God that I can afford-living in Pennsylvania/Amercia-its a small miracle) it always kills me to see the less fortunate who have nothing and people just never look twice.. they were someones son, sister, daughter, brother, lover or baby at some time.. when did we stop caring about them and care more about the newest and latest tech?

We have a homeless man who comes to my work ( I work at a hotel) and he never has enough money for the rate of the room.. but I give him one anyways. He cleans up, we have a nice meal sent to him.. he gets one night of warmth and a hot shower a week.. and he never complains about his life.. he smiles and says to me *Sometimes we draw the short end of the stick* . I hope to never be in his place.. but I can always say that we try at times to make someones life much more simple and beautiful. A smile goes a long way.. a ear to listen and kind word is more then enough at times. These people never really wanted this for themselves.. they had dreams and wishes when they were younger. Be that as it is.. we can talk or we can act.. some choose to act. Thank God for people like Matthew.. thank God for people who take 5 mins to just listen…

]]> By: andyb http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34553 andyb Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:26:34 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34553 Different worlds indeed. My daughter moved to Vancouver 18 months ago when she was 18.I was worried as any Dad would be but she assured me the people she was travelling with were savvy and knew all about Van. She started work in a bar on "Hastings"....(The Savoy).....I just thought it was a regular downtown street,she told me stories of the rough characters that she would serve in the bar ( at 9 am.....unheard of in Ont.) but said that basically they were all nice people that she dealt with. She called me last week,on her way to work, a girl that she had served in the bar many times before,approached her on the street....beat the crap out of her,stole her purse and ran away. Nobody stopped to help her (this was 8;45 am).......this from the girl who would help anyone out at anytime I just wonder if "normal" people have a valid point when they say they are scared to talk/look/care for some of the street people.....I know I will be extremely careful when I go to visit her Different worlds indeed.
My daughter moved to Vancouver 18 months ago when she was 18.I was worried as any Dad would be but she assured me the people she was travelling with were savvy and knew all about Van.

She started work in a bar on “Hastings”….(The Savoy)…..I just thought it was a regular downtown street,she told me stories of the rough characters that she would serve in the bar ( at 9 am…..unheard of in Ont.) but said that basically they were all nice people that she dealt with.

She called me last week,on her way to work, a girl that she had served in the bar many times before,approached her on the street….beat the crap out of her,stole her purse and ran away.

Nobody stopped to help her (this was 8;45 am)…….this from the girl who would help anyone out at anytime

I just wonder if “normal” people have a valid point when they say they are scared to talk/look/care for some of the street people…..I know I will be extremely careful when I go to visit her

]]> By: Phaedra http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34547 Phaedra Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:30:16 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34547 a couple of times during the winter months, I set out on foot with sandwiches, baked potatoes and coffee for the folks in the DTES...I could use a hand(and the company) as my cohort from last year is unavailable. If anyone would like to join me, feel free to send me off an email and we can set up a time, etc. a couple of times during the winter months, I set out on foot with sandwiches, baked potatoes and coffee for the folks in the DTES…I could use a hand(and the company) as my cohort from last year is unavailable. If anyone would like to join me, feel free to send me off an email and we can set up a time, etc.

]]> By: BB http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34544 BB Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:47:08 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34544 I do not understand this Means - Ends World where Beings are turned into " Objects " because of their " Outsides "... their Circumstances....or their Beliefs.... Is it not true that... The Moment we judge another Being we reduce it into an Object and clearly define our Separateness and Domination In turn we rob them of their Freedom.... and make them feel....as though they are not good enough to be Part of us....the Universal Family .....The Human Race.... Are we not most authentically Human when we appreciate our Connectedness with Everyone else... when we embrace Others as Subjects NOT Objects.... The harsh Reality is... that each of us can at any Time become objectified leaving us very vulnerable and alienated.... Ps: There's always Something we can do for those around us... Always Something we can give... Always Something we can share... I do not understand this Means - Ends World
where Beings are turned into ” Objects ”
because of their ” Outsides “…
their Circumstances….or their Beliefs….

Is it not true that…
The Moment we judge another Being
we reduce it into an Object and clearly
define our Separateness and Domination
In turn we rob them of their Freedom….
and make them feel….as though
they are not good enough
to be Part of us….the Universal Family
…..The Human Race….

Are we not most authentically Human
when we appreciate our Connectedness
with Everyone else…
when we embrace Others as Subjects
NOT Objects….

The harsh Reality is…
that each of us can at any Time become objectified
leaving us very vulnerable and alienated….

Ps: There’s always Something we can do
for those around us…
Always Something we can give…
Always Something we can share…

]]> By: Witchy Woman http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34543 Witchy Woman Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:31:53 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34543 Last weekend we had a benefit for the homeless shelters in my hometown and it went over so well they are doing it again very soon. The money earned went to a great cause and things like this should be done all the time. Everyone had a blast but never for a moment did I forget that there were still people out there who needed a warm place to sleep and food and health care. Here I was, having a good time and they are wondering where they will be tomorrow. Geesh, in my need to want to help I feel so guilty now. Last weekend we had a benefit for the homeless shelters in my hometown and it went over so well they are doing it again very soon. The money earned went to a great cause and things like this should be done all the time. Everyone had a blast but never for a moment did I forget that there were still people out there who needed a warm place to sleep and food and health care. Here I was, having a good time and they are wondering where they will be tomorrow. Geesh, in my need to want to help I feel so guilty now.

]]> By: yakerav http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34541 yakerav Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:42:16 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34541 :) i also think we should help those who wish get out of the cities. for health and happiness one must have basics.fresh air and such.i dont see how anyone can remain 'sane' in cement.one needs beauty.as is a turtle.not pertty.as are the rich. odd how easy it seems in my head.maybe its cause im not in the system.but if the system is hurting you why not make a new one? :)
i also think we should help those who wish get out of the cities.
for health and happiness one must have basics.fresh air and such.i dont see how anyone can remain ’sane’ in cement.one needs beauty.as is a turtle.not pertty.as are the rich.
odd how easy it seems in my head.maybe its cause im not in the system.but if the system is hurting you why not make a new one?

]]> By: zitadawn http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34539 zitadawn Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:25:25 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34539 I tossed and turned in my warm bed with my full tummy reflecting on this. And I woke up to further snow on my steps and all over Winnipeg. I won't even leave my dogs outside in this weather we're having. I have to say, the sentence "It takes a blow to understand the ramifications of one." is circling my brain. So true. And so I'll add. "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; if I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain, or help one fainting Robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain." Courtesy Emily Dickinson as well as "I am myself, and what is around me. And if I can not save it, it can not save me." I can't remember who wrote that, but it illustrates to me at least, how the written and spoken word is definitely mightier than the sword. Only kindness can assist those less fortunate. Brutality and persecution only encourage the tangible alienation between people these days. I tossed and turned in my warm bed with my full tummy reflecting on this.

And I woke up to further snow on my steps and all over Winnipeg. I won’t even leave my dogs outside in this weather we’re having.

I have to say, the sentence “It takes a blow to understand the ramifications of one.” is circling my brain.

So true.

And so I’ll add.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; if I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain, or help one fainting Robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”

Courtesy Emily Dickinson

as well as

“I am myself, and what is around me. And if I can not save it, it can not save me.”

I can’t remember who wrote that, but it illustrates to me at least, how the written and spoken word is definitely mightier than the sword. Only kindness can assist those less fortunate. Brutality and persecution only encourage the tangible alienation between people these days.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34538 Kevin Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:08:40 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34538 "'There but for the grace of God, I go " John Bradford “‘There but for the grace of God, I go ”

John Bradford

]]> By: yakerav http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34536 yakerav Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:09:06 +0000 http://www.matthewgood.org/2007/11/a-five-minute-car-ride-apart/#comment-34536 when i was in quebec city after matthew's show i walked back to my 20$ room and there was this man between walls,sitting on the ground.he reached for my hand so i grabbed it. we talked a bit and it was freezing.so i asked;what are you going to do this winter? holding the 2$ i just gave him he awnsered;well now im going to by a burger. cause what else would you think of when youre starving and cold.seemed like a nice man. i cant make a plan either.i go with what presents itself.so luck keeps a roof on my head.for now.at least ive 'got' land which i can take refuge in if my roof ever goes. in quebec i spent the day walking around trying to follow clues.thought id get in old buildings,lovely reminders of mistakes,and we dont learn,do we..most were locked. how can you have huge empty buildings locked with people sleeping outside of them? how cruel do you get?spare 1 of them?ask neighbors to go there and leave suff they dont need for others to use?seeds for a garden maybe?is that such a strech? you never know when you might need someones hand. why cant we make room for the odd ones?call it sickness if you must. i beleive doing so scares people away. our brains,hearts and bodies work in similar and different ways.we must learn to use this.appreciate it.what would this world be witouth the wierd?ugly and boring, if you ask me. on your deathbed will you be thinking about the stuff you couldve bought?or about the people you couldve helped smile a bit?i mean,whats greater than a smile,right? all these brilliant people im sure we can work something out. when i was in quebec city after matthew’s show i walked back to my 20$ room and there was this man between walls,sitting on the ground.he reached for my hand so i grabbed it.
we talked a bit and it was freezing.so i asked;what are you going to do this winter?
holding the 2$ i just gave him he awnsered;well now im going to by a burger.
cause what else would you think of when youre starving and cold.seemed like a nice man.
i cant make a plan either.i go with what presents itself.so luck keeps a roof on my head.for now.at least ive ‘got’ land which i can take refuge in if my roof ever goes.

in quebec i spent the day walking around trying to follow clues.thought id get in old buildings,lovely reminders of mistakes,and we dont learn,do we..most were locked.
how can you have huge empty buildings locked with people sleeping outside of them?
how cruel do you get?spare 1 of them?ask neighbors to go there and leave suff they dont need for others to use?seeds for a garden maybe?is that such a strech?
you never know when you might need someones hand.
why cant we make room for the odd ones?call it sickness if you must.
i beleive doing so scares people away.
our brains,hearts and bodies work in similar and different ways.we must learn to use this.appreciate it.what would this world be witouth the wierd?ugly and boring, if you ask me.
on your deathbed will you be thinking about the stuff you couldve bought?or about the people you couldve helped smile a bit?i mean,whats greater than a smile,right?
all these brilliant people im sure we can work something out.

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