A Wake Up Call in San Francisco

Recently, I was at the 24th Street BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) buying a ticket to Walnut Creek. A middle-aged woman came up to me at the machine and tried to get my attention several times. I did not register what she was saying to me because I was focusing on buying my ticket, and I was also trying to ignore someone who I thought was trying to hit me up for money. She eventually stood closer to me and just stared at me as I finished my transaction. I told her, "staring at me is not going to change the fact that I have no money to give you." She then said, "I just need help. I have the money." It was at that point that I realized she came from a different country and didn't understand how to work the machine. As you can imagine, I felt a deep sense of shame. At that moment she got a little upset with me, and I deserved it. She went on for a while in broken English asking me over and over again why I thought she was a vagrant. I calmed her down, helped her buy her ticket, and showed her the train she needed to board. It wasn't so much a "good deed" as the least I could do considering my previous behavior.

I spent my commute on the train that day trying to figure out why I was so callous towards her. It is true that I get hit up a lot in San Francisco by people looking for money or change. Actually, I also get hit up by people who are walking down the street and offering drugs to everyone that goes by. When someone approaches me, my reaction is to not make eye contact and move quickly down the street.

Why do I behave in this way? Fear! Yep, Fear! One of the things I don't want to do is open my wallet on the street and show someone my cash. I also don't want to be targeted as a person who has cash on them and is willing to give it out. In addition, I don't want to get too close to some of the people who approach me on the street for safety reasons. For example, there was a recent case of a guy who was stabbing people on the MUNI bus system.

What is the solution? I used to carry granola bars on me and give those out when I was approached, and I may go back to doing that. Just because I don't want to be targeted as a person with cash on me doesn't mean I can't have some food that I give out. Many people, me included, will take comfort in the fact that people without choices can get a hot meal and maybe a place to stay at a homeless shelter. But how many of us, me included, actually write a check or donate to these shelters on a regular basis?

This happened about a week ago, and it still bothers me a little. Partly because I didn't initially listen to a person who needed help, and partly because of how callous I have become towards homeless individuals. I think it was a wake up call for me. Now, do I do something with it or just wait for the guilt to subside? Do I do something or just go back to my previous behavior and justify it with fear?

San Francisco Zoo

I recently visited the San Francisco Zoo. The selection of animals is incredible, and the access to them is fantastic. I could tell that a lot of thought was put into the different plantings, and they make the zoo very warm and inviting. Since it is less than 1/4 mile from the beach, I definitely felt that great ocean breeze. Some of my pictures are posted below:


Sleepy Koala Bear












Stork


It's January, and there were little bees flying around this flower.

New Year's Resolutions

As I say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010, I begin to think about the things that I want to change in my life. Yes, I am one of those people who always makes goals when it comes to the new year. Do I always keep them? Well, we won't go there. I do start each year with the intention of achieving my new goals. This year, my goals are as follows:

• Attend Bikram Yoga on Monday nights.

• Eat sweets only on Sunday.

• Spend more time on hobbies like reading and less time in front of the television.

My theme word for the year will be "appreciate." Hopefully, it will inspire me to appreciate each day, appreciate the ones that I love, and also appreciate the small things in life that make for enjoyable moments.

Happy New Year!