Ooh, catchy!
***
Near one of the traffic lights, on my way to work, I noticed a man giving spare change to one beggar. I'm not sure if the man's a beggar because I didn't see him begging, but the other man gave him some spare change anyway. I got an advice years ago not to give spare change to beggars. Because somehow, here in the Philippines, you can't trust anyone asking you for alms. They could be hoodlums in greasy, torn clothings. They say they could be professionals, part of the Beggars Who Are Not Really Beggars, Inc. "Save your peso, don't give it to Them." Give them food, instead. Give them bread. For a while I heeded their calls. For a while I believed them.
But what if they have lots of bread already? What if they don't like the bread that you like? Sure, they're beggars they are not supposed to choose. But that's beside the point. Different people like different types of bread, beggars or not.
So for today, starting today, I'm saying if you want to give, give money. Otherwise, keep your bread. If you're not 100% comfortable with giving away your money, then don't give them away. But don't give them your leftover food. Give them money, and let them choose however they want to spend it. I'm not being self-righteous here. I don't regularly give to beggars or to charity. I probably do it once a year only. But it's strange that some people regularly give out alms with pre-conditions. Nobody is forcing you to part with your money. But when you do part from them, you do it completely. Not worrying whether the beggar is really a beggar. Not worrying whether the beggar will buy food or alcohol. Once they're out of your hands, keep it that way or not at all.
The same thing can be said of love. When you give it away, don't worry what will happen next, don't worry how Charisse would respond.
