You don’t have to change the world, just change the day of one person in it!
In this week’s article, I wanted to touch on a subject close to my heart – helping others. Whether that be with money, time, ideas or energy, giving also connects us to others – creating stronger communities and helping to build a happier society for everyone. Helping others is not only good for them and a good thing to do, it also makes us happier and healthier too!
I hear people moan about their lives, without really realising how incredibly fortunate they are. If you have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, change in your pocket and food security, then you are better off than 75% of the population! Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives and drama we forget to be grateful for what we already have (myself included at times!). Though I have one client who gives a good perspective on things if he hasn’t had a great day at work “at least no one died!” – Nick Creswell
What makes me angry, is seeing people who are clearly well off, either ignoring someone who is down and out or treating them with disdain. Sometimes shit happens, creating circumstances where anyone of us could end up in that position… Does it take much to treat someone with kindness? I don’t think so, reaching into our pockets and offering to get a homeless person some food or better yet, buying some food and surprising them with it, goes some way to restoring their faith in humanity. Have you ever been really hungry and not had the means to eat? There is a saying that we are only three hot meals away from revolution….
What can you do?
• Like ripples from a stone dropped in a lake, random acts of kindness in (what seems to be) an increasingly cruel world, will usually have a knock-on effect and get paid forward, win-win!
• See a homeless person? Acknowledge them and offer/get some food for them, for the cost of a Starbucks coffee you could make someone’s day!
• Buy a Big Issue, every week, and become friends with your vendor. Not only does this magazine give a homeless person means to make money with “a hand up, not a handout” philosophy, but it is full of great articles that gives a more balanced perspective of what’s going on in the world – especially compared to most magazines and newspapers!
• Volunteer, I know we all have our own busy lives to live, but even once a week or month makes a difference to a charity.
• Donate to charities that resonate with you – even it is only £5 a month, every little bit helps!
• Buy Fairtrade products, as Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Before you finish eating your breakfast, you’ve depended on more than half the world”. Yet there are times of the year when many people who grow the food we eat for breakfast can’t feed their own families, shocking isn’t it??
• Ethical investments, why not take a step to help producers access fair finance by opening an ethical investment account? I know nothing about investing but if this interests you, then this is worth a look at: www.shared-interest.com/invest
Inspired? I would love to hear about you helping others, send me your stories and I’ll happily share them!
I am passionate about educating and empowering my clients to stay healthy, well-balanced people. Contact me “here” to start reaping the benefits today, you’ll be glad you did!
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