Would you like a positive message?

Small cards with messages such as: “Your Ambition is Inspiring!” “Your Smile Warms My Heart!”, and “You are LOVED!” custom printed and in hand, I entered Lincoln Park with the goal of bringing some well-deserved smiles to the homeless. Aware this can be a dangerous area I decide not to over think my tactic on approaching the homeless, and instead trust my good intentions will be met with positive energy in return. Over thirty homeless received an intuitive message, as we shared smiles and hugs.
Some in groups, others sitting or lying alone, I asked them all if they would like a positive message as I approached, being respectful of entering someone’s space and choice to ignore me and my hot pink hair. Asking each person to close their eyes, I fanned out the cards and gently brushed their hands with them, with the simply instruction of, “let your fingers pick the message that belongs to you”.
 A volatile group of seven hung out on a grassy area, where one sat on a blanket, a couple sat on the stone wall, a baby of about a year old ran about, and three arguing men stood in the middle. One heavier set black woman, probably barley 21, pulled the “You are Beautiful” card, I repeated the message out loud to her, and she told me, “It’s been a very long time since I heard that”. As I gave her a big hug I told her, “it had been too long”, and she began to pick her low sunken head up, and she straightened her posture.
Just a minute later this woman was rallying to build up a young man in the group. This short thin, also baby faced man, didn’t think he was deserving of taking a message. He decided to have faith in that moment, and he pulled the message “Love is All Around You!” His chin hit his collarbone and he commented that everyone got that same message, and initially didn’t believe this was a special card just for him. Each of the others standing nearby yelled their own messages, all chiming in how everyone did indeed love him! Wow that was an immediate success! Within seconds of receiving his, “Love is All Around You!” message, the homeless man was smiling, and acknowledging all the caring eyes and warm smiles literally all around him. The arguments in the group had ceased. The energy now shifted, the space all around improved.
Armed with just over thirty small cards, I brought smiles and gave a healing hug to each recipient. All messages had the Prayer of St. Francis on the reverse side, and one woman told me it was her favorite prayer. “In giving we receive”, I told her, as we exchanged gratitude for each other’s presence and a big hug.