Judging people by their appearance is so easy to do and we all do it as we observe people for first impressions. I have been fortunate to meet so many people from many walks of life. I have come across homeless people, thugs, millionaires, drug dealers and professional athletes. The perception we have of certain types of people builds a negative wall that can prevent you from experiencing something really profound. I have made it a point to approach people I do not know or would not associate myself with and start a conversation for the reason to learn or experience something new. I am happy for the results. Many fear change because of the unknown, but if you do not venture into the unknown, then you must be content with where you are in life. Everyone deserves growth and fortune in their lives. Getting to know someone or communicating with someone you do not know can potentially give you that growth and fortune.
I attended a Catholic institution until eighth grade. Everyday on my way home, there was this homeless man named Clarence who would be on the corner just hoping to catch a break, catch a meal, catch a hope. My dad, sister and I always loved to stop and give him some snacks and a Pepsi. Clarence was always grateful and we always had a little conversation with him to lift his spirits. Many look down upon the homeless, but do not know their story. Clarence taught me at a young age that even though things are not going as planned, there can be something to look forward to. He greeted us with a smile because he knew that we were coming to him with positive intentions, conversation and food.
If my dad had taught me that homeless people are all dirty and worthless, then I would not have learned such a valuable lesson. My dad instead taught me that no matter their appearance, everyone deserves to be talked to and with that open mind comes potential rewards. Randomly, Clarence was not on the corner anymore. We have no idea where he went, but he made for a great learning experience for me. I was fortunate to be raised to be open-minded and have a giving heart. It is my choice to carry on the goodness. The significance of this lesson is that you can benefit from stepping out of your comfort zone and learn something new from people who look like they can be harmful or weird to your standards. The outside may not look attractive at first glance, but life is not about looks.