Editorial: Try to help others in rough times

The economic malaise continues, and sometimes it feels as though it will never end. Some sink into the mire of self-pity. Some take refuge in optimism. And others take solace in lending aid.

That’s what Larry Housden of Larry’s Hair Designers in Prince William County is doing. Mondays at the Lake Ridge shop weren’t booming business-wise, so he decided to give free haircuts to the homeless and other people who couldn’t afford to get their locks chopped.

His charity is partially offset by the goodwill of his regulars, some of whom put money in a five-gallon plastic jar at the shop. Other customers donate bags containing items useful to the homeless.

Housden’s program, called “New Leaf,“ is meant to help those who have stumbled regain their footing, and is an inspiring story packaged inside the bubble wrap of economic fear.

Despite the increasing worry about our nation’s economic recovery, Housden sought to find a way to help others rather than himself. True, he hopes his freely taking customers become paying customers when times are better, but he knows there is no guarantee. It would do us all well to heed his example.

When fear settles in to the pit of the soul, the natural reaction is to hold tightly to what remains and give nothing out. This instinct adds further weight to economic burden, because in addition to a decline in security, it contributes a reduction in humanity. Giving to others cuts the load in half.

Nobody can see where this ends, and anybody who claims to only speculates. But along the way we must be careful to hold onto the good in ourselves, even as circumstances attempt to strip away everything else.

To help support the “New Leaf” program, visit newleafofhope.com.

Stafford County Sun editorials represent the opinion of the managing editor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on his page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the Stafford County Sun.