Please do not judge people by their exterior.

Yesterday I walked by a homeless man near the Ohio River. He asked if I was a monk, starting an amazing conversation. I often have wonderful conversations with homeless people. Pushing his chest-length dreadlocks behind his ears, he told me he had lost his job 18 months ago, and with a felony record cannot find a job. His mother cares for his 20-month old daughter. Then we talked philosophy, religion, politics, culture, and you name it. He was sharp and at times more knowledgeable than me! Such gems of people are out there “under cover” that we rarely recognize. So, please, please, please do not judge people by their exterior.