martind43:

A little can go a long way

I love this message, and I commend what Wordbird says to all who read it. I don't volunteer at the moment but it has been on my mind recently. Donate to a Homeless shelter (as Wordbird alluded to many are Mentally ill or suffering an addiction), sponsor a child in a poorer part of the world, who may not even have the oppurtunity of an education, you could give them that chance.

I'm grateful to live in a relatively prosperous country, but even here we still have inequalities. Individually, we may not be able to change a country , but a little can go a long way in an individual's life.

I admit I have declined begging people in the past, especially when they reek of alchohol.

And someone who had asked for money for food, swore at me, when I gave him a spare burger I had just bought (2 for ythe price of 1-greedy me), he wanted the money but he took the burger anyhow.

I guess the lesson is not to judge, just do what is in your heart. Be grateful for what you have, and give just a little to those who have little or nothing at all.

martind43

I agree!

Wordsmith:

Right On, Wordbird!

Giving is part of belonging in a community.  To help others helps us to feel less alone in this world.  It's in human nature to share. 

This is how we survived in primitive times, still survive in primitive societies of today, and survive in rural cooperative societies like the one I was raised in. 

I believe that within our genes we are imbued with this spirit of cooperation and collaboration, of working together to support each other for the greater good.

Oh, and there's that karma thing.  What you do really does come back to you...   and it doesn't wait for another life either.  I know this from experience.

Here's a wonderful thing that happened a few years ago on a Downtown Kingston street.

As I was walking along the sidewalk with my three children - then ranging from four to nine years of age - a somewhat raggedy man approached me and asked for any spare change.  I didn't  have any change on me, so I had to turn him down

Before I could stop him, this man shoved a Loonie and some smaller change into my hand, saying "Maybe you can use this."  And he went on his way without looking back. 

I've always been struck by the image of this man, clearly down-and-out,offering some of his own money to a single parent who had been unable to give him some. 

Wonderful!  And humbling.

Wordbird:

Let go, be happy

Thanks for giving me these wonderful words. And fun stories. 

Sometimes...we go to "help" people and we expect them to...behave a certain way. But hungry, lost, ill or resentful people, or people who feel upset and tromped on...don't always rush up to hug us with appreciation. Another words, maybe we can't expect someone who is in need, or in trouble, to also be "nice."  Or even grateful. Some will be. Some not.

Think of yourself after a day without food, or up all night, or upset about say someone almost ran you over or you were just robbed. Most of us are already at that point not all that pleasant.

But yes, also be careful when you offer help. Some wounded animals, and people, will bite. And there is the occasional con man who is out there charming in the help when he doesn't need it.

I'm saying how someone reacts to our help isn't the point. If I hand out $5.00 once a week to different homeless people, odds are good a few of them will use it in ways that are bad for them, and one or two will be conning me. But about forty of them will be better off. Meanwhile I am a happier person. It's like...letting go of the outcome of our giving. Just give...what you can...something other than money if you like...and be happier.

manderwrites:

Yep - that's it.

Hey there - you have hit on one of my "secrets to a better life" - no matter how poor I am, I try to give what I can.  As a matter of fact, when I am completely broke (which happens not infrequently) that is when I usually sit down and donate 15-25 bucks to ACLU, Amnesty International, Obama's campaign, PetSave, or another really positive charity or cause that I really believe in. 

It always helps me to a) feel better; b) realize that no matter how little I have, there is someone else who has less and would benefit from my help; c) start the energy flowing with the 'money movement' - when you give a little, you open the door to receive as well - energy creates energy - good brings good - like minds attract - etc etc etc. 

As for worrying about WHAT people do with what I give - well, that really is inconsequential once I decide to give.  I mean, it really isn't my place to decide where that guy on street spends my 5 bucks, I chose to help him by giving him a little - maybe at that moment, buying a bottle of alcohol is the only "help" that he is aware of... it may not be healthy, but it is out of my hands....

When I give, I choose what or whom I give to based on my personal assessment.  If I decide it's going out - then that is the end of my part of it.   I feel good and I did a good thing for myself.  I am not responsible for how another person chooses to use/abuse his windfall.... although there are definitely times when I have, rather than giving money, just bought some good food at a market and given that instead.....