There is a song that I love that goes like this:
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
After reading the fantastic post put up by Liz & Bill Spear, I felt the need to reflect on my actions of the day. Had I helped someone? Had I helped to fill the needs of someone that could not help themselves? Had I made life better for those around me?
It does not need to be something huge, or some grand gesture to let the world know how good and wonderful you are, that defeats the purpose. Charity and honest affection for your fellow human beings is not about who can make the biggest splash and get noticed the most by doing good deeds. It is about the quiet moments of kindness and simple, unacknowledged goodness that make a life better because it was touched by them.
It's about lifting those around you when they are too weary to take another step, be it physical or emotional. It's about taking a moment to talk to that kid at the pool that drives everyone crazy by asking a million questions. . . . probably because he's lonely. Or about smiling at the massive, scary, tattooed biker guy in the gas station aisle even though your knees turn to jelly. . . . because maybe he's having a rough day and could use a friendly smile. (Yes, big, scary biker dudes have bad days too!) Or maybe it's paying for the car behind you at the drive through at Arby's, or dropping off some school supplies at a local charity.
It's does not really matter what you do, so long as you just do it. And sorry, but this is not a "it's the thought that counts" type of deal.
Actions speak volumes louder than words. What do your actions say about you?
I help the homeless when I can by picking them up and taking them to one of the shelters. It is so small a thing in their desperate fight to survive. I cry each time that I cannot do more. A young girl stands in the cold rain with a sign for help. Taking her to a shelter seems so lacking. My son was homeless for a while and so each time I help another, I feel like I am making up for those who helped my son.
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