One evening in December while wrapping you know what, I watched a show about a millionaire. I don’t know the name of the show. He talked about his possessions – a beautiful big house, cars, planes, property in different parts of the world, parties, friends, etc. – very nice. Now he’s going to a run-down part of a designated city where for one week he’ll masquerade as a poor and needy man. In the process, he’ll work because he’ll have only minimum money for rent and food, and he’ll volunteer and connect with those people who spend their days helping others. By the end of the show, a few of the people he meets will have a check in hand.
The manager of the dirty and dingy motel where the millionaire is staying gives him a cleaning job and helps him locate places to do volunteer work. And so he introduces himself to a woman whose home is open 24-hours a day to anyone in need, and whose pantry is stocked with food for others. Her own life was difficult; she had a child at 13, spent time in and out of prison, and now devotes her life to service. Her eyes were radiant as she spoke about what she does. It’s obvious she has a lot of love and compassion.
And the millionaire introduces himself to a woman and her assistant who have opened their hearts to young people who would be on the streets otherwise. They provide food, donated clothes, skills, computers to help them find jobs, and they provide hope. They too come from love and compassion.
And the millionaire introduces himself to a young, very confident skateboarder, and talks extensively with him. And though he’s in a wheelchair, the skateboarder’s not going to let that stop him in life. His dream is to start a business.
As time goes by the millionaire appears to be in a state of shock. He cries, he meets things in his bed he’s never met before – cockroaches – and is appalled. Finally, he has to call his brother to come lend support.
Now it’s day six and the millionaire has to decide who will receive a check from him and how much it will be. After a sleepless night, a decision is made. He reintroduces himself to the three people mentioned above, and, as it turns out, he gives each of them a check. Are they happy? Oh, yes.
Everyone needs a helping hand every so often. It’s been said that the one who gives gets also. It does seem to be that way. Perhaps the millionaire will return to his life with a grateful heart, and the people he touched will continue to touch others.
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Once a press reporter asked Amma how was it possible for her to embrace each and every one in the same loving way, even if they were diseased or unpleasant. Amma replied, “When a bee hovers over a garden of varied flowers, what it beholds is not the difference between the flowers, but the honey within them. Similarly Amma sees the same Supreme Self in each and every one.” – As Dr. Jane Goodall, while presenting Amma with the 2002 Gandhi-King Award for non-violence said, “She stands here in front of us, God’s love in a human body. www.amma.org