(image via flickr user marius.haugen)
We just got an email from SuperForester Mathew who tells a tale of generosity and compassion on a cold Winter’s night.
“Team SuperForest,
After reading SuperForest for nearly a month and half I find myself at home. A place to share humanity and all of the hope it shares. Living in a world littered by media stories about death, destruction, cheating, and other negatively infused stories, I find myself often at odds with the person I want to be, and the world I live in. Even at a school that brags of liberalism, and openness, and acceptance there is far too much negativity and stress endusers. Our arts department, for example, is currently fighting censorship on the works it produces. This leaves the arts bone dry in creativity and colour. One of our directer’s will tell you the world we live in demands perfection in mathematics, science, sports, and test scores. But it fails to call for, and yearn for, creativity and openness to all things (this is another story all together, something else we are trying to share with the community around us as we work to truly allow for openness and allowance of full thought. And if you are interested I’d be willing to share with you all).
I find myself being a person who demands for more creativity, and I find SuperForest as a beautiful medium for exploring the unexplored, and sharing hope and creativity. I believe what I am saying, and the reason I am going to share the following story, is that far too often we fail to celebrate humanity to its fullest. The art of friendship and love, I feel, is being left behind. I know there is a desire for these things, and SuperForest, I believe, is a large part of this desire, especially for its followers. The following story has to do with two of my very close and great friends and myself. The actions we took had no benefit to us except feeling good about who we are as people and knowing we made a difference. For me what we did stemmed from the beliefs I discovered from a man named Bryan Nurnberger. He is the founder and CEO of Simply Smiles, a non-profit org. He works in Oaxaca, Mexico and his story and actions are truly inspirational. I highly recommend contacting him. His beliefs on community service is to only do it if you have created a friendship and a bond with the people you are to help. It isn’t about helping people just because we can, its because we are there for them because they are friends and fellow human beings. So for me this story is very much a story of humanity, something we need more of on a day to day basis. So finally…
Yesterday two of my close friends went into New Haven, CT. We set out with the plan to enjoy ourself, and get a break for school. And in doing so we ended up helping three human beings. We were looking for a place for dinner, and it was freezing cold. We saw this man asking for change and we said no, as giving away money is often far too risky a business. But my friends and I decided we’d buy him something from the restaurant we ate at. We got pizza for him, but he had left, so we wandered around looking for him or anyone else. We stumbled upon a man who was asking for food! He asked us, and we walked up and he said again, “Could you give me some food please?” I held up the box of pizza and he says, “Please, I haven’t eaten all day, and the soup kitchens are closed.” I look down at the pizza then up at him and he said “No! Really??” I say, “Of course.” He gets this huge smile and God blesses us. He opened the box up and his face just lit up even more. He turned and hugged each of us saying, “Thank you, thank you!” We then saw another man asking for change on the same street, so we decided to at the very least to get another pizza. We get a cookie and margarita pizza, but alas that man had left too! So, we wandered about looking again. We found one man and he said, “You’ll laugh, but I’m allergic to tomato sauces.” So my friend says “How about cookies?” He informs us he is a diabetic, but will take it nonetheless. We find one man and offer our pizza, and he happily takes it. But keeps asking for change telling us that what he would love more than anything is a hot coffee to keep him warm, and be able to sit in a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts until they close. We offer to walk him there, just to make sure where the money goes. He is very excited, and I ask why he is limping and he tells us he broke his foot falling down the stairs. Helping him into the Starbucks we have him sit down while we order two coffees. We also get two Starbucks gift cards. He initially didn’t know what they were for. When I explained, and told him how much money was on it, he exclaimed, “I don’t need that much!” I told him it could last him for at least a month, and probably longer if he is careful. I have utmost faith he will use them wisely.
I do apologise for any typos and for the length. But alas words never seem to satisfy me. I would love to share this story as widely as I can, and that is why I am asking for help. Is there anyway you can insert in to one of the daily posts? Any amount of it would make me highly grateful. Keep up the amazing work and I look forward to seeing more!
Peace, love, life,
Mathew Harreld”
Thank you, Mathew! Thank you for caring for your fellow man and truly making yourself the environment. You are an inspiration. Here’s to hoping that your exemplary behavior catches on.
Much love to you,
Jackson & Team SuperForest
p.s. SuperForesters! Are you out in the world doing great things and looking out for one another? We want to hear about it! Email SuperForest!
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