My humility was stripped to the quick on a cold November day when I panhandled $140 in about 4 hours.But the experience renewed my faith in humanity. People are really very generous and happy to help those that are sincere.

I had a 30 year career in sales and advertising under my belt and suddenly I found myself in a situation during the 'Great Recession' that literally gave me another perspective on life. I had been getting daily pressure (to the point of verbal abuse) from my landlord / roommate. How in the world am I supposed to get this guy off of my back? My life had become miserable. He wanted cash and he was going to stomp and yell and scream at me until he got it! 

Finally I bit the bullet and stopped at the very first corner I came to. Amazingly people seemed more than happy to help. Stripped my pride down to the quick and dove in. Talk about getting into the flow of life; my first donation was $2 paper clipped to a printed card that read Smile, God loves you! After I broke the ice everybody gives a bill or two and the occasional fiver. Roofers are great. People were very nice, very generous. My last donation on Sunday afternoon was $100. A lady pulled to the side and stopped. She said that God had sent her to me. What an Angel of a lady. I will remember her for sure. Direct Selling - where the rubber meets the road.