It’s time to allow our minds the latitude and longitude to journey into the realm of perception or reality. What one perceives is their reality, but things are not always what they appear to be, so therefore, is your perception actually reality, or are they both in fact diverse? I would venture to say perception can be both. It can be perception, or your perception can actually be reality. Reality, however, is always reality. It is what it is. Life. It is what it is.
What do you see? For instance, when you see a homeless person, which unfortunately describes a great number of the United States military forces, what do you see? Perception or reality? Let me help you. It is reality, babe!!!
What do you do? Do you run, walk fast, look the other way, pretend you don’t see or hear them? How do you approach and/or speak to them, or if you don’t, why not? What about that veteran who, whether a volunteer or someone who was drafted, sacrificed for you, and now unexpectedly has found himself entrenched among a forgotten and often ignored society of people? Imagine that. Perception or reality? The operative word here is “people.” You asked us veterans for help and we answered your call. No excuses for the freedom and security you are now afforded. Yet you walk by on a rainy day or cold night and do you have the common courtesy, the decency, to acknowledge another human being? It saddens my heart to see such a vast number of homeless veterans ignored and rejected–not helpless, but getting less help. How can this be, especially in our nation’s capital, and how long must or will it continue?
You know, it is OK to help someone. We veterans stopped our lives to help. Why won’t someone stop to help us? I believe what we receive is directly proportionate to what we give: we are blessed to be a blessing.
