I was walking my dogs at 5.30 am. I saw a homeless man sleeping. He was lying on concrete with his head on his hands in a car park at ground level. I thought it was good that it was summer so he would not get too cold. It caused me to think about surviving and what we are prepared to do just to survive. On another occasion, I decided to drive my car to the car park where I previously saw him to see if he would like some breakfast. I parked on the road and walked to him; he was just getting up; I called out as I arrived so I didn’t startle him. I asked what he would like to eat, and he said he loved “McDonald’s,” and he knew exactly what he wanted.
He was grateful for the hot food; we sat and chatted for a while. He had some items in a small brown paper bag. I was curious about what he carried with him in this bag. I asked how he would spend his day; he was smiling and telling me his plans; he seemed happy and almost excited about what he would do over the next few days. I didn’t see him again for several weeks, and I found myself wondering how he was…I reflected on whether he was just surviving or not. Was it just my perspective, as he seemed by all accounts to be doing ok, and his demeanour was quite upbeat.
What does it mean just to survive?
Surviving is just having your head above water, having enough just to get by. Just doing enough to get through the day. Surviving is one step at a time with one foot in front of the other and hoping to make it to the next moment and the next moment. Or is it about perspective and how you view your circumstances internally versus externally? Internally you may be content with how your life is; you may feel you need to push yourself to go beyond your abilities and start to live your life.
Externally it may be about who you surround yourself with and what material needs are required to keep going. I have found that some people are tip-toeing through life, hoping to make it safely to death. To just survive is not enough; you have the right to demand more from yourself and others. Surviving demands more courage, more tenacity, and more strength of character.
To Survive or Thrive, is it a choice?
Have you noticed how much energy it takes just to survive? I have observed that surviving steals your energy, and thriving feeds your energy and motivation; it often gives you a spring in your step. Moving from just surviving to thriving causes us to dig deep into our soul’s depths, find purpose, and give us a reason to get out of bed every morning. Thriving, on the other hand, is flourishing; you are doing well, you feel strong and prospering, and success is within you.
Thriving is to blossom and grow in every step you take. I believe in life; we are here to thrive and grow through the art of challenge, challenging ourselves to be great. To step outside our comfort zones, to release the chains that bind us. Effectively just get out of our own way. I am reminded of the quote by Erin Hanson: “There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask “What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, What if you fly?”
Be daring, make your mark, and strive to be better today than yesterday. My gentleman sleeping on the concrete had purpose and plans for his days ahead. I believe he was forging forward and ready to challenge his very existence. He was grateful. That chance meeting was many months ago, and I am grateful for engaging with him, be it brief.
I continue to ponder my perspective on life. Having perspective gives me the opportunity to choose to thrive and flourish with a deep commitment to what is good and what is important.