There are few phrases as simple yet impactful as "I'm proud of you." When spoken genuinely, it lifts others in ways we might not fully appreciate until we hear them ourselves.
As we navigate through life, striving and working hard, we often doubt ourselves. We chase after goals, endure setbacks, and sometimes get lost in the grind. Amidst all this, it's easy to forget to pause and recognize our achievements, let alone hear someone else do it…
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It would be unbelievable for someone, anyone to tell me that they’ve never heard “The Approach” … “Hey, do you have any spare change?” usually followed up with a long story about how or why they are requesting a hand out.
Just show me the baby, I don’t need the labor pains
Labor Pains
I work in uptown Charlotte, live in East Charlotte and I’ve been exposed to every part of this city through one medium or another; bars & night clubs, restaurants, hotels, shopping, volunteering, entertainment & events. “No matter how hard you try you can’t stop us now” should be the motto ‘cause it doesn’t matter where you live or where you’re from, it’s truly where you’re at … no one is prone from “The approach”
::True story::
Over the course of a few days, time spent conversating conversing with “she” after work I happened to be in different parts of the city where “she” witnessed first hand the approach …
Uptown leaving work while talking to “she”
Dude - “Say brother, I’m starving, can you help me out so I can get something to eat?”
Mr.TramueL – “I’m sorry, I don’t have any cash.”
Dude – “What about that water?”
Mr.TramueL – Blank Stare. Blink. Blink. “You want my water? You’re welcome to have it, but I’ve opened it.”
Dude – Takes water.
Rivergate {South Charlotte} talking to “she” in line at a drive thru. Keep in mind it’s around 12:30 a.m., windows down, dude approaching. Mr.TramueL is a lover not a fighter, but I’m also a fighter so don’t get any ideas.
Dude – “Yo, I’m trying to catch a bus do you have any extra change?”
Mr.TramueL – Grabs change out of ashtray.
“She” – “Is the city full of homeless people?! Lol! You’re like a bum magnet.”
Mr.TramueL - “This is all I have, you’re welcome to have it.”
Dude – Counts change. “You don’t have another {Insert whateva’ amount he was short} ?” “It cost {Insert whateva’ amount it cost for CATS}”
Mr.TramueL – Blank Stare. Blink. Blink.
::Side Note::
It’s amazing how much a part of my spirit “she” is. There is not one day that passes without a thought or a reminder of her. That’s all I’ll say about that. The End.
The Baby
I often joke about how I should respond to folk on the street requesting a handout … “Man, I was bout to ask you for a few dollars … I’m trying to pay my child support.” In the five plus years I’ve told that story, not once have I ever done it. I usually without thought reach into my pocket and whatever spare change I have, I give graciously to the requestor. Well, that is until yesterday when I thought let’s have a little fun, dude was hype & I wanted to match his intensity. Judge me.
Dude – “Hey! Which one of these stores you going into?
Mr.TramueL – “What’s up dude! ‘bout to grab a sandwich from Subway.”
Dude – “I’m out here on these streets, been out here for ‘bout five years man, I was in the {insert long ass story about love, job loss, glory years & pain}
Mr.TramueL – About ten minutes later “Dude? show me the baby, I’ont need the labor pains.”
Dude – “Huh?”
Mr.TramueL – Blank Stare. Blink. Blink.
Dude – “Whatever you got to help a brotha’ out would be appreciated.”
Mr.TramueL – While reaching into my pocket to grab the two singles I have … “Man, I was just about to ask you the same!, It’s the end of the month & folk want child support, rent is due & gas prices are ridiculous.” “One hand in the air if you’ont really care”
Dude – Blank Stare. Smirk. Frown.
This exchange was over heard by someone going into Subway & when I get inside another exchange ensues. I’m going to sum it up for you though … It was thought that I was encouraging dude by giving him the money. It was thought that he would drink his food. Followed by a bunch of scriptures & their interpretation of said scriptures.
:: Blank Stare. Blink. Blink ::
“My old nature vs Experiencing God” = “Arrogant vs Thankful of ALL of His Gifts in Me”
The moral of the story folks …
Live truth instead of professing it, GOD sends no one away except those who are full of themselves.
Harm None,
Mr. ”Spare Change” TramueL
