Allow me to set the scene- I'm running across the mall trying to get a few last minute presents and gifts when all of a sudden, I drop my drink. It's the end of the world and all joy and light seem to disappear from the universe. I can't believe this tragedy has happened..this scenario has probably all happened to us, but the dramatic flair of ending the world is honestly too much. I recently had a reality check when I was leaving a super market. As I was leaving a few workers at the store began to rush out yelling "Sir" and "Excuse me sir stop!" as I turned around I became confused. In his arms was a blanket.This man had no money and had attempted to take a blanket because it's now freezing both during the day and night. He was not hurting anyone, just trying to survive- the mortality rate of people exposed to the elements such as cold wasn't an issue anyone was able to see when yelling at him to return the blanket. The problem is that it's hard to view people and their needs when rules or beliefs that we value are challenged.
Sometimes we get so set in our ways and our daily interactions with people that we react automatically because it is easier than thinking outside of the box. Each interaction is different. In the situation at the supermarket; even though people upheld the value of not stealing- they put the retail value of a mass produced blanket over the betterment of another person. It's not because they were mean, but because even though what they did was right from a passive standpoint- it was wrong when valuing another person. It's one of those situations where no one really wins until someone panics and finds a weird middle option such as offering to pay for the blanket. Paying for the blanket and giving it to the man is one way to justify the same system that wanted to deny him the blanket. This choice still goes along the same line of thinking that is autopilot for most people, but in the direction of helping others and not following already set beliefs and rules. What is easy is not always comfortable and the same goes for actions that are right.
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Following the rules can sometimes provide a scrooge mentality where people seem more different than they really are, but I urge you to look at the larger picture and think of the reasons and motives behind people's actions this holiday season. Putting people's needs before the rules- can make interesting, but it definitely feels better to be able to say you really helped someone. I'm not saying screw the rules, I'm saying value people in a way that makes it hard to nearly impossible to dehumanize each other.
To give back or be the better person that you want to be- the price tag shouldn't be the first thing you look at. Helping someone and really wanting to make a positive impact should be instinctual to the point where the accidental Scrooge outlook disappears.
