Im not sure about other areas, but the homeless scene in DC is pretty huge.. if calling it a “scene” is even appropriate. Being well traveled in the area, you are absolutely bound to see at least 3 homeless people a day. Some begging for money, others wallowing in an abyss of hopelessness and empty presence. A few days ago I stopped at a bakery to catch up on some work  and grab a cupcake when I noticed a “homeless” man who had a bunch of technological gadgets such as cameras, calculators, remotes, opened with the wires etc. exposed.. He also had abt 3 carts. At first I honestly couldnt tell if he was homeless or not. I stared at him out the window trying to figure him out briefly (im not a creeper, I was just really curious 🙂 ) He appeared to be ‘working’ on this camera.. He had a short Frederick Douglas’ fro, was sitting on a chemistry book, and had a series of keys hanging from his pants (like a janitor.) He also wore a wool sweater and had to be about 90 degrees that day.. #eek

I watched as curious people walked by eyeing him, confused, curious, with wonder, and just that quick, they went on about their day. Who was this man I wondered? Was he a science teacher that fell down on his luck, engineer, future nobel prize winner living a dream deferred? Or was he just another man whose life didn’t go the way he’d plan..

Then it dawned on me.. What makes him different than me? I could be there.. and him looking at me. Life has a way of nudging you at those very moments when you need it. To me, You dont have to be physically homeless to be “homeless.”  You can be mentally homeless. Never reaching your true potential, caught in a tornado of stagnation, seemingly living a pathless, guide free life in some aspect. I can’t be that person.. I can’t be that person I stared at out that window. So many lessons came to me and I was very thankful. Although what he was doing seemed to be going nowhere, he was totally immersed, out of touch w/the world momentarily, driven by a childlike wonder and not giving a crap about onlookers and what they thought. Dont be so quick to judge others or their path. At the same time, focus inward, directing your energy towards guided endeavors. I had never seen that man before, and perhaps will never see him again but he was more than a homeless man. He was a reflection of God. i saw the God in him that day. a mirror. i saw the me in him & the aspects of him which I could use in myself. the total disregard for others. i saw a human being. Perhaps he was an angel?!!My angel.. If so.. to that angel I say Thank You.