New rainy day rule

After the ridiculously long week that was, I have come up with a new rule:

COMPASSION OR BUST.

People who do not fall into the former category should go the latter, har har. No, seriously.

My friend was working on a broadcast project this past week that required him to go downtown to Skid Row and shoot footage of the homeless individuals dotting the streets, huddled under awnings and pushing carts covered with stained tarps. I tagged along not just because I was helping with interviews, but because I was genuinely curious about the types of conditions that still exist in this taboo community, even in the face of gentrification.

Though it might seem like the rain made the situation all the more dramatic, the truth of the matter is that, rain or shine, conditions don't really get much "better" depending on the weather for homeless individuals. It's just that it becomes all the more obvious just how much need these souls have for shelter from - pardon the expression - the rain.

I met a man named Bill at Midnight Missions, the homelessness rehabilitation center, who had been volunteering at the center for the past three years. He had had a severe alcohol problem, he told me, prior to seeking help at the shelter, and he told me that the organization completely changed his life for the better. He now volunteers at the center at least three times a week and helps other homeless individuals find their way back into functional societal lives.

It really put my life into perspective, talking to Bill. The money, time and energy I spend on trivial matters means zilch if I don't remember the bigger picture - success is a relative term, and, in my opinion, doesn't mean a thing if it doesn't positively impact or benefit others.

This week really has me thinking about that term.

Success.

And I can only conclude that true success stems from compassion, because without the understanding that success is not a selfish thing (you can WIN something for yourself, but SUCCESS implies that more parties are affected), I really can't consider something an accomplishment.

Bill, in my opinion, is more of a success story than the next celebrity, designer, media mogul, who has established a name for himself or herself but has done little else to further contribute to society. In working on this behind-the-scenes story on Kollaboration, I just can't get over the amount of passion and dedication that has gone into the project to solidify its - yes - success.

Kollaboration is about "empowerment through entertainment," and I think the message is such an amazing one. Knowing that such a show exists gives me hope that any pipe dreams that I, or anyone of our generation, might have, is completely viable.

Rainy days make me think, and I love them all the more for it.