Thoughts: More and More on Homelessness

I would not wish homelessness upon anyone. Indeed, most of you will never experience homelessness in the narrowest sense of the word. Certainly not for a year, probably not even for a few weeks, out of your entire life.
Homelessness: The state of having zero Capital (economic, social, emotional). Without possession or choice of possessing money, living accommodations, and/or food. Bereft of purpose, means, equitable peers, beyond any help but charity.

As one of my pen-pals pointed out: "You are the only homeless person I've ever really known." I'd never thought about it quite that way before (since I know tons of homeless people), but I'm sure she is not the only person I know like that.

By experience the Homeless largely cluster together for comfort, like herd animals, herded together by prices they can't afford, "No Loitering" signs, "Bathrooms are for Customers Only", and Police. Yes, I am homeless. And what's more I've spent many years of my life this way. It's a part of me that can't be taken away, even with money, a house, or a car.

When you are chronically homeless as I am you get yo observe people in all sorts of different social situations that would rarely have come up otherwise. If you ever wonder who your true friends are, just tell everyone you know that you're now broke and homeless. Watch those that scurry away, see them who try to control you, adore those that offer genuine help, loathe then that vilify you.

The sad truth of my life's experience so far is that, as Dostoevsky pointed out, the poor do have a deeper and more meaningful camaraderie than the wealthy. The poor do share more readily with each other than the wealthy. And possibly, just maybe, the poor actually feel more than the wealthy. As the constant threat at a biological level of Hunger and unfulfilled primitive needs keeps the poor person more alive, more aware, and thus, more appreciative, of all of life's gifts.

I have seen money change people, I've seen relationships change people, I've seen jobs change people, I've seen religions change people. When you are broke, you have nothing to hide. How much more honest can you be?