81 responses to “Being busy caring”

1. We get it so wrong in so many ways, don’t we? The erection of skyscrapers with their shiny interiors, our patronage to the businesses they house, and our bustling about to SHOW we care. It’s all an insult to humanity and to ourselves if we gloss over the true test.

   • I think we need a bit of both. But we do have to care.

2. All too easy to overlook the vast suffering in the huge shadow of global capitalism.

   • I think still capitalism can bring us the best, but we need to care.

3. Dear Björn

   And do the frivolous gifts really demonstrate true caring? Thought provoking piece.

   Shalom,

   Rochelle

   • Well we do… still we continue don’t we. Homemade jam is more appreciated anyway.

4. It is easy to forget those who don’t have someone or somewhere to go. Nicely written.

   • It’s so easy to look the other way.

5. A thoughtful take.

   • Well usually I never look behind the dumpster

6. Applauds

   • Bows

7. It’s so interesting how there is a big push to donate to Food Banks this time of year, as if people don’t get hungry in any other season.

   • I think we are all thinking of Tiny Tom…

     • I’m sorry, who?

     • From a Christmas Carol

     • Oh, Tiny Tim: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiny_Tim_(A_Christmas_Carol)

8. This is the sweetest thing. I want to bring that little boy home with me. 🙂

   I love the way you twisted the expectation as I read.

   • In Flashfiction the key is always the twist… love it that it worked on you.

9. A lonely lost voice in the big city. Nicely done.

   • There are many such voices.

10. This is sad on a couple levels. First feeling the expectation of having to show you care by buying gifts. It kinda kills the joy of giving.

    The other is that there is so much need in this world. Hopefully we do what we can.

    • Yes… the joy of giving has deteriorated to an expectation that no longer makes sense.

11. You have a point.

    • I hoped I would

12. The sudden change of direction towards the end was not what I expected.A thought-provoking piece indeed.

    Click to read my FriFic!

    • I’m not saying we should give to every beggar, but we should think about it

13. Very true, Bjorn. While many of us are lucky enough to have money to buy at least some level of luxury, there are many who don’t even have a bed for the night. Beautifully told

    • I fear that it’s often worse than we think… and the pressure to give things people don’t need is a bad one.

      • The whole Christmas thing is totally out of hand. I’ve tried to have an agreement with my family that we don’t need to buy each other presents but they won’t agree to it. We all have everything we need, so what’s the point? My sister in law is going on a retreat for Christmas – there’s part of me that doesn’t blame her at all

14. Is it easy sometimes to forget about others in need. Well done.

    • And so sad that we have to buy to show we care….

15. One of the reasons I refuse to join the frenzy of Black Friday is this very thing.

    • Sometimes I would see if I need something myself and take an opportunity for a good bargain. This is not the same thing as being part of the sharklike feeding frenzy.

16. If only we could channelise a part of our energy we spend in proving another wrong into compassionate giving, the world would be a much happier place.
    Beautifully written

    • Great comment, Moon!

    • I think we should prove how we care in more ways than just giving…. a well thought gift is never wrong though,

17. “I’m not the stench you sense.” Excellent line! Your words ring true. I do think that the spending in the stores at Christmas gives the stores hope for a New Year. I always wait until the last minute – but then I only get one gift for each grandchild and then the boys & girls (their beautiful wives) something too. Nicely done!

    • Too often we look don’t look through the surface to show how much we care.

18. Brilliant poem which shows the stark contrast between those that have and those that don’t. Unfortunately it has been shown that people rarely care. Perhaps poems like yours will bring a greater awareness.

    • Caring is not just giving, it’s seeing humans despite the borders.

19. Profoundly good. Well done.

    • Thank you

20. What a good poem! You make us feel the ambiguity of the obligatory ‘caring’ for those close to us – a good thing in many ways, but how often do we achieve the right spirit amid the hassle of expectation? And then you turn our gaze onto those who have essentially nothing and no-one, and ask “So what about these people?”
    In the UK, the charity “Crisis” does great work for the homeless, and has a special Christmas appeal. If we can’t look behind the dumpster, perhaps we could consider sending Crisis a donation? It will make a difference.

    • Sorry, Bjorn, can I edit that comment, please? The penultimate sentence should read “If we can’t look behind the dumpster, perhaps we could consider sending Crisis a donation?”
      Many apologies for my careless phrasing.

      • Done.

    • Thank you.. yes we can give away some of the money… and maybe also try to see the people suffering.

21. Some of the money spent on Christmas could indeed be put to better uses.

    • I think it would be better for everyone…

22. Well written, Bjorn. We are currently fostering two pups. They were 4 weeks old when we got them and we being given away from a farm. I think 10 pups were taken into care all needing bottle feeding, when they needed their Mum. I don’t think we’ve done a good turn, despite all the mess we’ve cleaned up because they’ve given us so much and it’s just been so natural to love them. they were smaller than an adult guinea pig when they came. It has crossed my mind that I’ve opened my home and my heart to homeless dogs instead of people. I do feel I can trust and connect with the dogs more. I have in-laws who foster kids and babies. Yet, at the same time, I know I’m doing what I can especially within the bounds of my health restraints.
    Anyway, you have a beautiful heart and keep letting the light shine.
    xx Rowena

    • I am not doing what I’m saying… but I think it gnaws me (as it should)

      • I know that feeling, Bjorn. It’s that feeling which, I believe, will ultimately convert into some kind of action or way of contributing or making a difference.

23. This brought tears to my eyes. Beautifully penned and oh so true.

    • Thank you… I wonder how we can change it…

24. Excellent, thought provoking poem with a killer final line.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    • Thank you… caring is hard beyond the border of our walls.

25. Apt title, and a thought provoking piece of writing.

    • Thank you… yes a title is a good thing to use.

26. Ouch! In a good way. Thanks for reminding us how some people “care.” Tis the season to revise that. Very nicely done, Bjorn.

    • We should do that… but it’s hard to do.

27. We tend to wear blinders when it comes to those behind the dumpster. To show we care, requires small acts of random kindness throughout the year, not just around the holidays. Excellent post, Bjorn.

    • Indeed… it’s a year around activity, but the contrast flares at Christmas.

28. We so have gotten lost on the “showing we care with gifts”, haven’t we? This was wonderfully written and grabbed my heartstrings.

    • I think we need to go deeper in thinking what care means.

      • Totally agree

29. Great post we have to take care of the people around us. Help the hurting! flightministries.com

    • Thank you… yes it does require acts every day…

30. “They have to show they care.” A deep sensitive post.

    • Exactly… do we pose of taking care we just do it for ourselves don’t we?

31. Well done, Björn!! We do seem to glaze over even when homeless persons are in plain view, rushing passed. I remember when my son came with me to Montreal shopping for rare comis when he was young. There was a homeless person who sat at the same spot on rue Sainte Catherine with is dog. Later when he was older and went to college he said he always gave to this man. I understand what he meant. There are so many in our Métros as well and I know I cannot give to each one but I too have a few when I recognize I give when I can. I remember seeing that same man I usually give to calling his friend sitting across from him to share his dinner with him.
    Thank you for sharing this and reminding us to open our eyes and show we care.

    • I do not think we can give to everyone either (and maybe it’s not even a good thing to do)… but we should find ways of caring.

      • There are so many on my way to work and back late at night in the Métro especially now that it is getting cold. The panhandlers may not stay as long but the homeless persons do… There’ss a lovely older man who gives you the nicest smile no matter if you give him anything or just wish him a good night. I hope he lives through this winter.

32. A piece that gives us pause. Sooo …. many in need and yet never seen.
    Isadora 😎

    • So many, yet most of us have a good life.

33. A story and a view well told!

    • Thank you… it’s a story that repeats itself… is there a real difference since Dickens wrote his stories?

34. This stopped me in my tracks. Heartbreaking. Everyone should read this.

    • And still … how should we solve it?

      • Educate & lead by example is a small start. If your post makes even one person stop and think and make a change it’s a step in the right direction.

35. A really strong story, the images coming in small and recognisable bursts, and the contrast between the haves and have-nots stark.

36. Terrific post! This is an idea that I am trying to spread this holiday season.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hidlnk1NC10&t=5s If you like it, I hope you will share it. Thanks, Rita

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