My View of Being Homeless.

[Natsu21]

Hi folks, it's me, Natsu21. I'm reporting back from my latest experiences.

 

Seeing some of the threads on this forum, I wanted to post a few of my personal experiences and opinions on homelessness in our current market.

 

When I was homeless before, I met all kinds of people. Some people looked like your average bums portrayed on skid row. Then there were those who at the time I never fathomed being homeless.

 

An aspiring lawyer whose sudden disability rendered up unable to pay the bills.

A contract worker who recently lost his job.

A real estate agent who suffered during the housing crash. A near six figure job.

There was a construction worker who ended up on the streets after his girl called the cops on him and filed a restraining order...in his house.

A PASTOR....who lost his position at the church. Dude was preaching the gospel to me with a cigarette in his hand, saying that some of the most downtrodden people can be some of the strongest Christians, nothing that the Bible is filled with flawed people.

A doctor who suffered due to budget cuts...

and finally...

 

A professor of humanitarian studies.

 

I myself was a college student who was put out due to a family betrayal, and in a latest case, chose to be homeless in order to find work, especially in this tough economy.

 

I found the stereotypes I was informed of before to be insanely inaccurate of the entire population, and being one, I felt like less of a person and more of an object, if I didn't carry a certain appearance.

 

The social stigma of people who view the homeless are that they are usually drugs addicts and thieves. While a vast amount of them are such, many of them, especially the ones unaccounted for, are a produce of incredible economic times, sickness, or just terrible circumstances.

 

There was even a schizophrenic(poor girl) whose parents kicked her out at a young age.

 

I really dislike the idea that those who are homeless are mostly at fault for the way they are. While there are those who DID throw away their lives due to addiction...a lot of people were just put in some seriously bad circumstances.

 

When you're not high on the status pole, for the most part, you won't be seen as valuable. When you have nothing materialistic, and everyday is a fight for survival...you're even lower than that. That's how many of them feel.

 

I joined a homeless shelter work program a while back in Central Florida. During my work there, I was told not to interact with the homeless people outside, being told that they were just wasting their lives wanting to be homeless. Talking to them was beneath you and could disrupt your journey on getting back on their feet.

 

Even in certain work areas....the prejudice was huge.

 

Being homeless is a battle for survival, and despite what others may think, most people these days are just one or two paychecks from being homeless.

 

And let's not get started on jobs.

 

Let's be clear. JOB MARKET IS TOUGH. Even tougher than it was back then. Anyone who feels scared about the job market(including you, Leigh 87) rest assured, you're not in this alone. Lots of people are homeless due to the job market. I am one of them. I have hadto sleep on the streets due to not having a car, and I'm currently trekking my butt up to more urban areas. It's tough, very tough. There are lots of others who are feeling the same way. It takes more than just sheer perseverance, even if perseverance is all you have right now.

 

It's about luck, connections, timing, and presentation. Sometimes, luck plays a huge role. You may hear all the time that you're not trying hard enough, or that you're lazy, and that it's your fault you were homeless.

 

We all make various decisions in your life, but understand that some things are out of your control. No one CHOOSES to be homeless as a first resort unless they are completely non-materialistic. Rest assured if you are doing your best, even if you aren't 24/7 hitting the pavement, but going around hitting up a few places here and there, you're taking steps, active steps, to better your situation.

 

As for homeless men...don't worry about women. Frankly, this is good for you. Women will come and go, dude. If you're homeless, consider this training for the kind of man you want to be. Become stronger from the experience and you'll be more at peace with you.

 

Homelessness comes with it's own prejudices...but it's also a temporary experience that comes with its own stories...you'll meet all kinds of people, do all kinds of things, and live a life you never expected.

 

It can be downright depressing at times. There were moments where I went off and cried. I felt like less of a person. Discarded. I realized though, this is what many third world countries go through daily.

 

We're Americans...and we shame poverty like it's a curse. It is not a curse. Getting materials has always been a mix of hard work AND luck...

 

You couldn't mine for gold if you stayed in Texas. A lot of rich men got rich by going to California to get that gold. Heck, that Gold Rush pushed California into state status. Location, as well as a plethora of other factors, does affect your economic status.

 

Truth is, there's too many people and not enough jobs. So periodically, some people will have to do without. It could have happened to ANYONE...so anyone who is struggling, homeless, or about to become homeless, please don't be ashamed if you aren't where you want to be. Just keep moving. Keep going forward.

 

No one knows your true personal struggle, and real friends will understand and cheer you on! It's not a shame not to have a home, a car, or any materials, because my sister had all of those things, lost em all in a flash...and then died without a dime to her name.

 

She was super materialistic. But never in my life did I see such misery in her pursuit to acquire materials.

 

My journey is going to be a hard one, and soon, as the years go by, there will be many more who are in my situation. Sure, not having any money or supplies and trying to change that is hard, and most people will think you're just a waste of space.

 

But, it was because of the kindness of people that I made it out of Florida. My pride as SHOT, as I like to do things on my own, but then I found so many people willing to help. And I need help now, but in order to get help, I have to be willing. And there's plenty who are willing.

 

Life still goes on. Don't let the cold words of those who haven't been there deter you from getting there. Keep at it...and soon you'll find that your hard work paid off.

 

The economy is tough, not impossible. Regardless, our ancestors before us were survivors...

 

So can we.

 

Don't lose faith. I love you all.

 

Sincerely,

Natsu21.

[The Like Fairy]

Good luck to you Natsu21 and hang in there. Yours was an interesting post, I enjoyed your insights, thanks for sharing.

[Stsm5934]

Thanks for sharing. There's a big homeless population where I live. I think a lot about how people ignore the homeless and are afraid to interact with them. Years ago I spent a week volunteering for the homeless and realized how inaccurate our perceptions of the homeless are the vast majority of the time. I've been thinking lately, that after i get through this last semester of school I'd like to become truly involved with volunteering and advocating for the homeless. I think a good place to start is rolling down your window or stopping on your walk to have a conversation with one of these individuals, just to remind them that not every has forgotten they are human like all the rest of us.

 

I think spending sometime with the homeless could do a lot of people a world of good in terms of gaining some perspective on the things they call "problems" in their lives. That's not to demean the pain or emotion that people might associate with those problems, but at the end of the day its good to realize there is a difference between an inconvenience and a problem (from "All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten").

[amaysngrace]

Good for you for keeping on keeping on.

 

Your attitude is admirable. Truly.

[emi]

Have you ever considerd moving to somewhere else? Finding a meet-end salary job in crowded city is really tought. Sometime we need to take a step back though

[Natsu21]

Have you ever considerd moving to somewhere else? Finding a meet-end salary job in crowded city is really tought. Sometime we need to take a step back though

 

I lived in a town of 2,000 people with currently no ID.

 

I'm practically a legal Mexican now...cept I have papers proving I was a U.S. citizen, but the NYC HR won't take it.

 

So this is what it feels like to be an illegal immigrant.

[evanescentworld]

Shoulder to shoulder with you, Natsu.

 

Many Blessings upon you.

 

With Much Metta.