Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence
Mankind has always loved myths and fairytales. The characters in those stories are idealized and represent ideas common to us. Little red riding hood is the epitome of moral goodness, the wicked witch in Hansel and Gretel represents pure evil. We need those characters since in reality people have always two sides to their personality. However, sometimes a person, who seems to come out of a different world, comes along to influence our lives forever.
Two years ago I volunteered at the "Bahnhofsmission", an organization at the railway station that took care of everybody who was in need of help. While my first two days of work had been calm, at the end of my third day I was devastated. A man whose marriage proposal was rejected came in and insinuated under tears that he was about to kill himself. A heroin addict had thrown his syringes at us, shouting "I hope you all get aids". The atmosphere had calmed down, but I was deeply shocked. However, then something happened religiously inclined people would call a wonder.
Equipped with torn clothes, a wild beard and crutches a homeless man came in who seemed as though he had slept a week under a bridge. In fact, he had. "After sleeping a week under a bridge you just need a coffee", he said laughingly and sat down. While I was providing him with coffee my co-volunteer whispered to me that the man reeked of alcohol. Obviously endowed with a good sense of hearing, the man said smilingly:
"You know, this is exactly what some cops told me when I was driving with an electronic wheelchair down the road. "You smell very much like alcohol, sir". Then I:"I am an alcoholic. I always smell like alcohol". The cops:"Are you drunk right now?" "Again I am an alcoholic. I am always drunk".
"But you cannot drive like this on the road!" "What are you gonna do? Take away my wheelchair?"
"OK, but be cautious." "Of course I am cautious you idiots, these are my bones."
This person was the epitome of peace. He instilled in me fascination with the power of mind, which made him perfectly happy despite disability and homelessness and which afterwards enabled me to not let asthma and skin disease affect my mental happiness. More importantly, this man fascinated by being simply himself which showed me that inside of every person is something uniquely beautiful worth searching for. This revelation sparked my interest in psychology and acting which both let me explore the wonderful depths of a personality.
If he read those lines he would likely say laughingly "I am not the epitome of anything. I am just a bum." He would probably have a point. However, mankind needs inspiring stories to carry it through times of doubt and uncertainty. Just as children are read every night the fairy tale they love, every time I have doubts in humanity I remember this man and realize that life is ultimately beautiful.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated
Mankind has always loved myths and fairytales. The characters in those stories are idealized and represent ideas common to us. Little red riding hood is the epitome of moral goodness, the wicked witch in Hansel and Gretel represents pure evil. We need those characters since in reality people have always two sides to their personality. However, sometimes a person, who seems to come out of a different world, comes along to influence our lives forever.
Two years ago I volunteered at the "Bahnhofsmission", an organization at the railway station that took care of everybody who was in need of help. While my first two days of work had been calm, at the end of my third day I was devastated. A man whose marriage proposal was rejected came in and insinuated under tears that he was about to kill himself. A heroin addict had thrown his syringes at us, shouting "I hope you all get aids". The atmosphere had calmed down, but I was deeply shocked. However, then something happened religiously inclined people would call a wonder.
Equipped with torn clothes, a wild beard and crutches a homeless man came in who seemed as though he had slept a week under a bridge. In fact, he had. "After sleeping a week under a bridge you just need a coffee", he said laughingly and sat down. While I was providing him with coffee my co-volunteer whispered to me that the man reeked of alcohol. Obviously endowed with a good sense of hearing, the man said smilingly:
"You know, this is exactly what some cops told me when I was driving with an electronic wheelchair down the road. "You smell very much like alcohol, sir". Then I:"I am an alcoholic. I always smell like alcohol". The cops:"Are you drunk right now?" "Again I am an alcoholic. I am always drunk".
"But you cannot drive like this on the road!" "What are you gonna do? Take away my wheelchair?"
"OK, but be cautious." "Of course I am cautious you idiots, these are my bones."
This person was the epitome of peace. He instilled in me fascination with the power of mind, which made him perfectly happy despite disability and homelessness and which afterwards enabled me to not let asthma and skin disease affect my mental happiness. More importantly, this man fascinated by being simply himself which showed me that inside of every person is something uniquely beautiful worth searching for. This revelation sparked my interest in psychology and acting which both let me explore the wonderful depths of a personality.
If he read those lines he would likely say laughingly "I am not the epitome of anything. I am just a bum." He would probably have a point. However, mankind needs inspiring stories to carry it through times of doubt and uncertainty. Just as children are read every night the fairy tale they love, every time I have doubts in humanity I remember this man and realize that life is ultimately beautiful.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated
