Creating in Remembrance of Trayvon Martin
Yesterday morning I stopped into Camden Food Co at London’s Victoria Station to buy a piece of fruit. Yes, they had only bananas, which was what I wanted anyway. The offer was one for 60p or two for 99p. I only wanted one. So I gave her 60p and took my breakfast.
As I was standing at the entrance eating, a young man in a hoodie approached me asking if I had “a spare 50p.” I looked into his yearning eyes and said yes. I dug out the change I had kept, added 10p and handed it all to him. We held each others’ gaze for what seemed like five seconds as he said, “God bless you, Ma’am,” and I said, “You take care.” It was nothing… and everything.
I watched him walk away in search of another spare coin and thought to myself how Life had a more important purpose for that 50p beyond the extra banana I had thought to carry “just in case.” It was more important for me as well as him.
I am very fortunate. I have never yet had to ask a stranger for spare change, though once I was very close. If I ever do, I will hope for one with kindness and the awareness that it could just as easily have been her, rather than one who “fears for his safety.”
I believe we are born with the awareness of beauty in our connections, but we often forget it. Our experience of separation is learned, and we usually believe it. I share this story not to make you think better of me, but to make you think better of yourself and the person who asks you for help.
Please take a moment and share your thoughts here:
- What would you say to the young man passing?
- What do you want to create in that moment?
Want the world to be a better place? This moment is your chance to create it.
