Living in a new community

Living in a new community
Bob had lived on the streets for several years. He’d long ago adapted to a wary existence, sleeping during the safety of the daytime, wherever he could find a corner. He would spend nights looking for stuff that could be recycled for a few cents, or perhaps huddle with several friends, safer in numbers, a close small community.

He knew that being inside now and in his own place was a good thing, something he was grateful for. But somehow he just couldn’t sleep at night, especially on that soft mattress. When he slept, he usually ended up on the floor. At night he sometimes hit the streets out of habit, missing friends, even the bad ones.

People who have slept rough for years, who have adapted to sleeping patterns that have kept them safe must spend some time adjusting to life in warmth and safety.

Learning how to survive life on the streets hadn’t happened overnight, just as relearning how to fully live in community was taking some time, was work -- developing trust, forming new habits, making new friends… learning, making different choices, healthy choices that also equal loneliness as former friends are forsaken.

What’s the incentive to change, to abandon familiar people, familiar activities? Caring people that encourage healthy choices, who are there ready to build relationship and offer friendship. Change happens within, and for, relationship.