What Measures our Worth?

I watched a homeless man sifting through the trash bins this morning. His eyes were fixed with the promise of determination and the will of heart to carry on.

“I gotta do my shopping,” he grinned as he placed a half-eaten sandwich into his bag. “One man’s trash, another’s bounty!”

One might expect a man of ‘such little means’ to feel ashamed. Though, quite the opposite – in fact. To him, it was a source of pride to have persevered for so very long.

Several years ago, I made the mistake of offering him some cash. “I never once asked for nothing,” he crowed. “And, I don’t need nothing now.”

I was wrong to presume his poverty; to second guess the manner in which he embraced this path. To him, this life was a bold adventure not for the feint of heart. While he, a fearless explorer, enriched by the challenge ahead.

In spite of his circumstances, he was neither fearful nor clinging. Rather, he embraced the transience of a bolder unfolding; an acceptance of life, just as it is.

How foolish we are to assume a stature of being simply through presence of material things. Truth be told, he was freer than many. And his was a life of assurance through moments, the best of which spent unhurried.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

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