Give generously, but wisely

Recently, as I approached the red light at the intersection of Bluebonnet and I-10, I spotted a guy in the median walking towards my car. He was sunburned, with a grizzled face, and he held up a cardboard sign with scrawled, hard-to-read words. He was asking for money.

Although I felt uncomfortable, I was compelled to make eye contact. I had given to some people like him before, and my heart was sad for whatever trials and tribulations he had gone through, but I did not give him anything.

Being asked for money while in my car makes me feel besieged and uneasy. Like many people, I give at the office, at church, at school and in the store. I pay taxes to help fund city, parish, state and federal programs. I give to nonprofits at golf tournaments, luncheons, telethons and dinners. I buy raffle tickets and candy bars. I sponsor runs, walks and ministries, all to help those in need.

I believe we are blessed to be a blessing.

The huge needs of the poor, the mentally ill and the addicted are helped greatly by societal giving. But I no longer believe that handing a dollar bill to someone staring at me in traffic is useful. What’s more, it’s dangerous to encourage people to balance atop a thin median while traffic roars by. Often, they will have compatriots waiting behind nearby bushes, smoking cigarettes or quaffing Big Gulps until enough money is raised. But for what? Their next smoke, toke, meal, bottle, box of baby diapers or prescription? There is no way to know.

That’s why I prefer to give to accredited programs, either nonprofits or churches, rather than to people endangering themselves in traffic. I think the practice should be disallowed and an ordinance against it passed.

Fortunately, opportunities to give in order to help others are everywhere. If we just look around us, someone somewhere could use a kind word today. Someone needs to know they are loved. Someone may be struggling financially or simply need a hug. Someone may want to be heard, and he or she may just need a little time and attention.

The following story is a great illustration of the value of giving, loving, sharing and doing now, not later.

A rich man once asked a friend, “Why am I criticized for being miserly? Everyone knows I will leave everything to charity when I die.” “Well,” said the friend, “let me tell you about the pig and the cow.”

The pig was lamenting to the cow one day about how unpopular he was. “People are always talking about your gentleness and kindness,” said the pig. “Sure you give milk and cream, but I give more. I give bacon, ham, bristles. They even pickle my feet! Still, nobody likes me. Why is this?”

The cow thought a minute then said, “Well, maybe it is because I give while I am still living.”

A few years ago, a friend challenged me and inspired me on this topic. He sent to me three questions. I hope they help and challenge you as they have me. How would you answer the following?

1. When was the last time you gave someone a gift, encouragement, your time or a compliment? How did it make you feel?

2. Would your family and friends describe you as a giver or taker? Why?

3. Could you be more giving? How? What are you waiting for?

We might have to sacrifice time or money, and giving may urge us out of our comfort zones, but the rewards of giving are priceless. When we give, we reap the joy of seeing a bright smile and tears of joy, hearing laughter or words of gratitude. Giving isn’t just one of the highest forms of living, but also one of the best ways to share our love and gratitude for life.

This is the Best of 225 issue, and I’m amazed by the continued growth of this special annual edition of the magazine. Seven years ago, when we decided to hire a research firm to make sure no one stacked any ballots and to keep the process independent, we had no idea how much the issue would grow or the impact it would have. Every year I have readers from all over town tell me it’s their favorite issue and how they refer to it year-round to find new restaurants to try and places to go.

It’s always interesting when people whine about not being on the list and why they should be on it. Every year I explain that our staff had nothing to do with votes. They only receive the tallies and announce the winners. You, the readers, are selected randomly to vote. And for that we say, “Thank you.” I’m proud to say that we had the largest amount of voters ever this year. A total of 3,991 readers completed this year’s survey of 53 categories. That equals 211,523 votes! Find out who won starting on page 27 and enjoy the best of the best that the Capital City area has to offer.

There is a new way for Baton Rougeans to cool off this month. Locally owned gelateria Latte e Miele has opened its second location on Jefferson Highway near Bocage. Operated by Luca di Martino and his retired surgeon father Corrado, Latte e Miele’s new shop expands on its popular gelato filled with local ingredients and fresh sweets, to offer espresso, pastries, wines, fresh sandwiches, and more.

For 225’s story, Luca di Martino even allowed food writer Maggie Richardson to pick her ingredients and create a new gelato flavor.