Week #49 12/2/12-12/9/12

The capital of New Jersey is Trenton.

Trenton was the sight of George Washington's first military victory in the American Revolution.  Today it is the tenth largest city in New Jersey.

Physical: 25 push ups

Personal: Give a homeless person some money.

Result:  This was an interesting card to draw during the season of giving.  It turned out to be a little different then I envisioned.  When I drew the card, my first thoughts were where would I find a homeless person?  Friends weighed in and suggested I give the money to an organization that helps the homeless.  They thought simply giving a homeless person money might lead the person to continue a viscous cycle of drug or alcohol abuse.  Another friend of mine suggested simply talking to a homeless person.  She said that in her experience simply taking the time to talk to someone who is down our their luck does wonders.

Conflicted as I was, I got a Christmas card and enclosed a $20 dollar bill.  I headed to downtown Wilmington.  Didn't have any particular goal other than to find a homeless person and give them the card.  But as I drove through the downtown area, I didn't see a plethora of homeless people.  I saw a couple of people who might of been, but there was no way to know.  It was at that point that I realized maybe this challenge was elitist.  I mean who was I?  Some rich person who was going to rectify the wrongs of the world with a card and some money?  More importantly, did I think I was better than someone else?  If anything, this challenge made me think a lot about things that are wrong with the world.  Realizing, that it probably wasn't fair to bring some unsuspecting person into my challenge, I decided to open the card and give the money to one of the Salvation Army money collectors.  I didn't go up smacking the $20 dollar bill trying to get a hero's welcome either.  I discreetly placed the bill in the pot.  The attendee thanked me for my contribution (he didn't know if it was $20 or 20 cents) and wished me a Merry Christmas.

Regardless of the philosophical debate I had in my own mind, it felt good to give.  I pray that everyone on this Earth finds peace and solitude.  I hope those who have are thankful for having.  I hope those who don't have as much are content with what they have.  I hope for those that have little or nothing at all, at least have peace.  Happy Holidays to all.