Silver Lining Behind the Dark Cloud

Someone once told me that it was life's trials and tribulations that builds ones character.
I used to secretly scoff at this tired cliché, cause if it was true, I'd be filled to the brim and over flowing with character to the point where there wouldn't be any room for anything else.

But, low and behold there I was having it proven to me once again that those tired clichés find themselves over used with good reason. My Litter Guy adventures of late had an aura of disappointment, which left me wondering about their worth whileness.
Well today, much to my joy, I got an answer of sorts.

What happened was that I ran into a lady who I had seen a few times before, and she proceeded to tell me that shortly after the 1^st or 2^nd time she saw me, she was so inspired by my efforts that she decided whenever she could while walking her dog, she would get her young daughter and husband to come with her. And as a family they'd fill up two bags of garbage each time out, so as to show her daughter the importance of a cleaner tomorrow, while turning it into a family activity.
I was so blown away when I heard this, it was just the "pick me up" I needed to hear, as no matter what the future may bring, I know that my efforts, brought forth a positive change (albeit a minor one) for this woman and her family.

I guess it's time to stop scoffing at another tired cliché, as it is apparently true that one person can make a difference.

A Really Bad Day

Something unexpected happened today.

You see, my efforts as the Litter Guy have been able to be broken into two parts. One part survival, and one part giving something back to the world, all the while trying to set up something that worked for me, so that someone else can benefit by it.
Now don't get me wrong, I realize people differ like the colours in a kaleidoscope so I probably should have realized that backlash could very well come from those that my intentions are meant to benefit the most. But still it was a shock.

Today along my route down Queen St. West when my path crossed this short bearded guy, about 25 years old, panhandling. Nothing new there, in fact I've picked up litter in front of this same face in this same spot before, but unfortunately today that's where the similarity stopped.
Now let me say I've been given donations in front people panhandling many times before, and what ensued had never even come close to happening before. In fact, it's something I've tried to be aware of so as not to build up any animosity.
Most panhandlers realize that I'll be shortly on my way once the litter is gone and that there's no "cutting of the grass" involved as a lot of those that pay me would not pay them anyways. There is all this and the fact that if said panhandler wasn't some jerk I would've given them half of the donation I received in front of them, 'cause that's just the way I am. So to put it bluntly, what happened next...SUCKED.

I try to treat all my interactions on a one-on-one individual basis, and my prior interactions with said individual have been him asking to borrow 2 bucks from me and me turning him down. Just like most people if I can, I'll help out with a bit of change or a smoke, heck I even get change from panhandlers having a good day. It's just one of those "I know what it's like" things, you don't even have to ask.

That's why when this guy got up all of a sudden and started accusing me of being rich, and making all kinds of money picking up litter on the streets, and that I was somehow hindering his abilities to make money.
I'd be lying if I said this didn't irk me, especially due to the fact that I had spent the last 6 and a half hours picking up filth off the streets in miserable weather only to have made about $25 and all I had to eat that day was 2 Taco Bell Tacos a panhandler gave me.
So being the type of person who hates to be accused of something he didn't do, this really bothered me. I was able to keep my composure and respond with the question, "If I was making so much money doing what I do, don't you think I wouldn't be the only one day in and day out doing what I do?" I continued, "If I'm so rich, why don't you get some bags and gloves and pick up litter?"

I don't know if what I said to him flew right over his head or what, but it was answered with swearing and him showing me a syringe in his hand and saying something about sticking me. One thing that I've learned from the hostile life of the streets is that if you show fear it will make things much worse and you'll be victimized even more.
So as soon as I called him a gutless so-and-so and pushed him backwards, he scampered off and for some reason bragged about how he was off to the alley to shoot up and didn't give a fuck about me anyway.
I'll be the first to admit I have a tendency to view things differently than most but I started to get mad, not at the fact this schmuck threatened me but because he was the one accusing me of having all kinds of money when he had more dollars worth of drugs dragging him into the ally than what I'd made all day. This doofus could afford to shoot up and I was eating gifted panhandler Tacos.

Unfortunately though as all the hoopla subsided, it was me who was slapped in the face by reality.

I've given my body, mind and soul to my efforts as the Litter Guy, in the hopes to take what worked for me, and combine it with the interest that the public has told me about having others do as I have. And this could create another option to what we currently have in place, and help those who most need it.

I'm being honest with you when I say I've been left disillusioned by this, the wind has been taken from my sails, I just hope the doldrums don't last too long.