The Good and the...Not So Good

Every Thursday any student that wants to, has the opportunity to go down to the local park and bring a meal to the homeless and sit and talk with them. This semester I have been going pretty consistently, which has been amazing. I attended a few times last year, but that really isn't the same experience. It has been such a blessing getting to know some of the people and beginning forming relationships with them.
I make a point to talk to one guy, Seann, at least for a few minutes each week. He always greets me with a huge smile and a hug and then begins telling me about and showing me all the photographs he took during the week. He has a passion for photography as well as singing and the Lord. He always ends up teaching me some type of lesson, intentional or not. This Thursday's lesson included knowing how to take a compliment when it is given to you. In his words, "It is great to be humble and all that, but people really just need to learn to say 'Thank you and you also'. This week he also asked me two questions I am still pondering: "What is your greatest fear?" and "What is your vision for how the world will be in 2012?". Gotta think about those ones for a while.
In addition to talking to Seann, I also have had the privilege of getting to know a guy named Taylor, who is 21 (the youngest homeless person I have ever met) and trying to make it on the radio. He is currently working an internship at a radio station and loves it. He is such an inspiration to show what following your dreams means, despite financial or family situations. He has this incredible drive that you can just see from the minute you begin talking with him.
Two other people I have been blessed to get to know are Cynthia and Don. Don is probably in his 50's and Cynthia is his mother. Every week Cynthia sits in a chair as people gather around her to hear all the great stories she has to tell about her life. Don has this amazing capacity for kindness and love and truly has an interest in wanting to know you if he is speaking to you. He asked me about my hobbies, my background and what my plans are for my future with such a genuine spirit; you don't' find that everyday.
Anyway, these are just some of the new friends I have made through the start of this year, but it truly has been an eye opening experience. I hate to sound cliche, but really I am just blown away by how much I have learned from these people and also how much I am learning about who I want to become and what it means to live my life the way I want to. It's hard to explain, but I definitely know that changes are in progress in my life...good changes.
Along with these great feeling I get from going to this every week, it has made me really dislike other parts of me. Many times I feel like a total hypocrite for being so on board to show love to these people that may live a little on the outskirts of society, yet some people on my campus I am not willing to do the same for. Why is it that I can so easily desire to care for outcasts from society, but outcasts from the social circle of college, I so willing want to shake off because it presents too much stress or it isn't genuine from my end? I've still got some figuring of things out to do. But, that is what life is about: learning. It isn't always easy, but it has to be done, and usually it pays off in the long run. I just hope that I do the right thing.