I want to speak to those who are wondering around looking for a place to sleep tonight. I hope that you realize searching for a place to rest, when you have little money, can be a hard job, especially when you have to compete with others who have no money,no job or resources. Just pretend that this is the turn of the century in American and you've just been let loose from your position as an indentured servant ( a person who binds himself by indentures to work for another for a specific time, in return for payment of his travel expenses and maintenance). The thing you need most is courage to believe in yourself and pray for favor from a kind stranger. Now, begin walking in the direction of where your feet take you. Usually, it is where you see people, ask "Where are they giving beds for the night?" Now,go there and stand in line, but don't look at the other people's faces really hard, just long enough to see which ones actually talk to themselves or to some unseen other person. Stay away from those with invisible friends and take note that you don't talk outloud yourself. Next, walk up and give the intake person the data they need to register you, hopefully, all you need say is --your name and where you slept last night...usually "I slept on the streets." is all you need to say. Next, take the rough gray blanket, and go inside and find a cot near the wall away from the main traffic, not near the showers or the bathroom/toilets/kitchen etc. Also try not to rest underneath the main bright lights or the television, usually these will keep you up if they run them during the late night. Now, place your belongings close to you, don't leave anything unattended! Sit until you can compose yourself to get in line for your meal ticket. Be patient and don't think negative thoughts...be glad you made it thus far, the night is still young and so are you. The best advise is don't be too friendly, keep to yourself and watch. Most of what you need to know someone will be talking about and if you are doing the talking you will never learn what you need for the next day of searching. You really don't want to come back to this, so think about tomorrow right now. Tomorrow is a new day, bright and filled with new adventures. Be refreshed with this night sleep. Remember sleeping while broke is an art you must master. Don't be hard on yourself --be happy you have the skills to survive and the courage and fight to stay alive. Be glad you have been given the
opportunity to forge your own way in this world. This is how your ancestors lived in the new America. Smile and be encouraged -- your DNA is from good stock! You are the new America!!