"I found a successful new pickup line."

They sit alone on the sidewalk. You walk past. They lay in filth. You walk past. They are ragged and scarred.  You walk past. Cigarette butts gather nearby. You walk past. They are infested with germs and disease. You walk past. They are worthless. You walk past.

The penny laying on the sidewalk. In the gutter. How many times have you looked right at it, considered its filth, its minimal value and decided to ignore it? To walk past? Given all we hear about swine flu, bird flu and the cornucopia of flu flus (plus the disintegrating value of our money) it would make sense to avoid them at all costs. True? Sure (if you're like me) there are those times when they appear in good condition (still have some luster), especially if it's a nickel, dime or quarter; then it's easier to risk touching it, picking it up and putting it harmlessly into your pocket (to say nothing about risking the humiliation of being seen picking it up). 

There's a rabbi I know who decided to exchange the stylish Armani robes worn where they gathered, for the tattered and dusty cloth, worn where they gathered. He and his band of brothers actually sought all the ones that were ignored by those who avoided picking up any filth, scars, germs, diseases or stigmas. 

Beggars. Vagrants. Bums. Degernates. Outcasts. Worhtless.

I wonder: if you added up all the single dirty pennies that this maverick, his dirty dozen and the countless followers since have picked up along the way...what do you think that their lives, if added up, would be worth? Maybe more than just a coined response. Maybe more than just a little change. Maybe more than we gave them credit for.

That's my two cents. 

A penny for your thoughts? 

Finally. If you want to see, hear and know the power of stopping and picking up a moment you might otherwise ignore watch this. It is one of the best 5:27 minutes you will ever "spend." If you do not smile and feel your heart leap you are likely already on life support. Go here right now: http://gizmodo.com/5231112/best-video-ive-seen-today-will-make-you-smile

For emphasis - (b)