I have always considered myself a kind person, who is willing to help others. It has always lingered in the back of my mind to do something like joining the peace corps and to make THE big gesture but this was prevented by everyday life and why not admit it: Some fear.
Although we all like to see ourselves as adventurers the truth is, that it is pretty scary to leave all we know and care about behind and to head to South America with merely a backpack on our shoulders.
Although we all like to see ourselves as adventurers the truth is, that it is pretty scary to leave all we know and care about behind and to head to South America with merely a backpack on our shoulders.
But over the course of time I slowly realised that while the big gesture might change the world, a small gesture might change the world for a person. In the wake of Christmas I have there decided to put together some things on how we could help others in our every day life.
It can be some simple thing like talking to the old lady in the supermarket who often goes to get groceries to see other people or helping someone out with spare change when they are at the cashier and realised they have miscalculated.
It can be some simple thing like talking to the old lady in the supermarket who often goes to get groceries to see other people or helping someone out with spare change when they are at the cashier and realised they have miscalculated.
It is really quite simple if you start thinking about it. For instance how many of you have ever donated blood? Donating blood is really easy and except a small pinch painless and without any negative impact on our life. So why are so many of us still reluctant to do it? Shouldn't it be something as normal to us as paying our bills or going to the dentist? Think about it, we rigorously pay our bills but we don't make a small effort for something that could save lifes?
The same goes for organ donation. I know that a lot of people who are afraid that if the time comes doctors might be too eager to remove the organs before they are really dead. It takes only a little research to realise that this would never happen since the regulations are quite severe in most countries e.g. there has to be lack a brain activity for 72 h etc.
The same goes for organ donation. I know that a lot of people who are afraid that if the time comes doctors might be too eager to remove the organs before they are really dead. It takes only a little research to realise that this would never happen since the regulations are quite severe in most countries e.g. there has to be lack a brain activity for 72 h etc.
So what else can we do to help others? How about donating ones old clothes? A lot of us tend to throw out perfectly good stuff just because it is no longer stylish. Instead of that just check for the closest place for donation. There are dozens of places, including cloth-containers, where you literally can donate 24 h 7 days a week. But be careful since there are some cloth-containers from companies who use them for their own benefit. If you inspect the containers closely however you will see the difference.
In many nursing homes they are constantly looking for people to help "entertain" the elderly residents. This may sound very trivial but for elderly people remaining active is essential and such things as playing board games or doing manuals can ensure that they maintain their agility. So why not going there twice a month to teach them how to knit or to play with them a game of Cluedo?
Of course there are a lot of other possibilities to help other people, but these might be a good start and our reward will be to go to bed each night with the feeling to have done something to improve the world or at least improve one person's life and don't forget the Talmud quote that was engraved in the ring Oskar Schindler received from the Jews he saved:
In many nursing homes they are constantly looking for people to help "entertain" the elderly residents. This may sound very trivial but for elderly people remaining active is essential and such things as playing board games or doing manuals can ensure that they maintain their agility. So why not going there twice a month to teach them how to knit or to play with them a game of Cluedo?
Of course there are a lot of other possibilities to help other people, but these might be a good start and our reward will be to go to bed each night with the feeling to have done something to improve the world or at least improve one person's life and don't forget the Talmud quote that was engraved in the ring Oskar Schindler received from the Jews he saved:
"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire."
