is anyone there who cares?
The other night I was driving back from a series of music gigs with the Australian rock band, Dragon, when in the wee hours of the morning I stopped at the red lights. I looked accross the road and saw a guy, around 30-40 years old, crying and putting his head in his hands then watched him start sobbing. I became curious to see if he was ok. I yelled out, "You OK mate". He didn't look up so I drove on. I haven't been able to get the images of him sobbing in the gutter of the road at Cronulla, out of my mind all week. I have thought often about what had caused him to feel that way, how his life was or is, and then what could he have needed, what could I have done. I was reminded of Phil Collins' song Another Day in Paradise,and wondered if it is easier to walk by and not look back, easier to pretend that we didn't notice in the foolish notion that if I ignore them everything in my world will be OK.
I submit however that we need to be reminded about just how good a life we, for the most part in the west generally lead. Even today, I was sitting in a park having lunch in the hectic hustle and rush Sydney city is at present and could not help but feel that there are many people who need us, they may come disguised as hobos or down and outers but the fact remains that the distance between us and them is very small. I am trying to find a way to reach out this Christmas without insulting or doing anything that would cause offence. I just want to find a way to help someone, even if only one person can feel that there are people who care it can make a difference. If I gathered a pipe dream together and added generous helpings of Christmas spirit, and believed each of us was able to reach out to one person, what a world this could become.! Powerful stuff. I start with me.
I submit however that we need to be reminded about just how good a life we, for the most part in the west generally lead. Even today, I was sitting in a park having lunch in the hectic hustle and rush Sydney city is at present and could not help but feel that there are many people who need us, they may come disguised as hobos or down and outers but the fact remains that the distance between us and them is very small. I am trying to find a way to reach out this Christmas without insulting or doing anything that would cause offence. I just want to find a way to help someone, even if only one person can feel that there are people who care it can make a difference. If I gathered a pipe dream together and added generous helpings of Christmas spirit, and believed each of us was able to reach out to one person, what a world this could become.! Powerful stuff. I start with me.
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