He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (followed by Teach A Man To Fish)

Lumina's picture
Posted February 25th, 2008 by Lumina
in

A couple of years ago in my online group, someone started a conversation about what was going on in New Orleans after Katrina. It was getting close to the one year mark and the horror was still screaming at us almost daily on every channel.

The conversation (in post form, not live chat) went on for a few days and at one point we were discussing what truly helps those less fortunate. Some of the points of view hurt my heart. I was surprised to hear some feel we shouldn't help those less fortunate because they will then become dependent and will lack motivation. Someone even had the audacity (I use that word only when shocked) to say something like "Most of those people over there were on welfare, legal assistance, and doing nothing for themselves anyway. I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for them." Those weren't the exact words since memory fades, but it's just not verbatim.

I, and others in the conversation were talking about how we DO help whenever we can be it a homeless person asking for money, or a single mother who to some may look like she expects others to pay her way. At this point, someone else expressed she didn't have much sympathy for those splattered all over the news, because "they were warned but wouldn't leave." (yes, many reminded her that not everyone had an SUV to jump into, family and/or a summer home to escape to) She then gave us the ever familiar, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

For the first time, I guess since it was used in this conversation, I didn't like that phrase at all. It no longer felt empowering to me. To be honest it felt selfish; kind of like "If I give you this dollar, you won't be motivated to get off this curb with your shopping cart filled with everything you own. No. If I give you a dollar today, you will still be here tomorrow, next week, and next year. I love you too much for that. Hey! There's a sale at Bloomingdale's!" No matter how much I tried to remember that phrase really did represent empowerment, I just couldn't feel it.

Later that day, as I sat quietly "minding my own business" I felt a Message knocking at my "third ear." Ever since it came through, I no longer feel bad for not being a big fan of the older version of Teach A Man To Fish. It is a new day, and a new way. *****************************************************************************************************************

Teach A Man To Fish

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

But what if you yourself are not a “fisherman?” What if you have never had to "fish" for your survival? Let that not stop you from sharing what you have. Let no one tell you what you have to share is not enough to sustain another.

Give a man one fish and you save him for one day. Give a man one day and you show him someone cares. Show a man someone cares and you have given him hope. Give a man hope and he learns to trust. With trust he is able to recognize and allow the teacher/"fisherman" in when he appears as you have taught him he is worthy. Give a man one fish and you can feed him for a lifetime.

 Do not hold back because you feel what you have to give will not save a life. Do not hold back because you feel you have nothing valuable to share. All that you have is of value. All that you share with each other is of great value.

A smile can save a life. A warm touch can bring one back. I kind word can fill a book. An open heart can heal one that aches. Lighting up when one walks into a room can heal despair. You have so much to give. So you cannot “teach a man to fish.” So what. Teach him he is loved.

~April 17, 2006