What are you thinking?

Have you ever walked past someone who looks homeless and thought negative thoughts? I have. (Clean yourself up! Get a job! You must be lazy! etc.) Have you ever walked past a stray cat or dog and felt compassion? Have you ever walked past a wilted plant and given it some water?

You can make a difference by changing your thought pattern or even smiling at someone.

The following excerpt comes from the CharityVillage newsletter for March 8, 2011.

A report recently released by The Salvation Army finds that many Canadians have a troubling attitude toward poverty and the poor. The study is being released in conjunction with the launch of The Dignity Project, a campaign designed to educate and inform the public about the challenges facing society’s most vulnerable people. Key findings include:

• nearly 50% of Canadians feel that a family of four could get by on $10,000 - $30,000 per year or less;
• nearly half of all Canadians feel that if poor people really want to work, they can always find a job; and
• nearly 40% believe people who live in poverty in Canada “still have it pretty good”.

Raising the Roof is also initiating a national ad campaign on Homeless Youth Have Nothing...But Potential.

For more information, visit: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2011/03/01/salvation-army-launches-the-dignity-project-to-inspire-educate-and-activate-public-support/ and http://www.raisingtheroof.org/