It's not the Destination it's the Journey that matters the most....

Two nights ago, Ben, my 10 year old son said he wanted a pair of sweat pants. "Sweat Pants? It's almost summer. Why do you need Sweat pants?" I asked. "Because I want them.' he replied.
Well, I can't argue with that. So off to Walmart we went.

After leaving the store unsuccessfully in finding sweat pants, I saw a young woman standing on the corner of the parking lot, holding a cardboard sign that read 'Have one small child and no job, need help.'

I studied her for a while. She was in her mid 20's, dressed decent, jeans, sweater, sneakers and had a little Walmart bag laying next to her on the ground. I re-read her sign over and over.
"Unbelievable!"- I said. Eric, my boyfriend, who was driving the car asked, "what?"
"Look at her! I have seen so many 'Help Wanted' signs and yet she chooses to stand on a corner to ask for a hand out!", I stated. "Who are you to judge her? You shouldn't judge her. You don't know her situation", Eric said. He was right, I didn't know her particular situation, however, I have been in difficult situations where I had to choose, do I pay the light bill, or do I make sure my kids have food in their bellies? It's never easy.

I told Eric, "There are plenty of jobs out there. They might not be glamorous, but it's a job and its better than standing on a corner begging for money. Who's watching her one small child now while she is standing here? I'm not giving her one dime of my money! I would rather donate to a homeless shelter, give money to a food bank and donate to an organization that helps women."

<Crickets>


I believe in helping the poor and helping the needy. I do not believe in free handouts. If you need help there are programs out there to help you. Standing on the corner is not the answer.

I myself have worked jobs that I felt were 'beneath me', but I did what I had to do to. I took action. Working a job that is 'beneath you' should only be a temporary situation. Use it as a stepping stone and move up in the world. Whatever that upward climb my be.

I posted something similar around Thanksgiving time, when I saw a man, seemingly in good health holding a sign- '3 kids no presents for X-mas'.

I had the same feeling then as I did seeing this young woman. Maybe a little more irate because he couldn't even take the time to spell out C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!

I'm not perfect, I'm human. I know it's not my place to judge, that's GOD'S  job.
But, I ask myself... how do people expect to get ahead in life by standing on a street corner begging for money? What are they teaching their kids? What ever happened to working hard for a living?

We've all heard the saying "It's not the Destination it's the Journey that matters the most"
Maybe, just maybe... by taking a job that less glamorous, a person discovers things about themselves they would have never discovered before. Maybe realized a Dream/Destiny/Person Legend.

I would be a chef. I could be a seamstress. I would be a writer. I could be a hairdresser. I could be a teacher. I could be ___XYZ__!!!!
You will never BE anything standing on a street corner!

It's not the Destination it's the Journey that matters the most... but you have to actually take the action and start the Journey if you're ever to reach that Destination!