Giving Back...

We often hear that it’s good to give back… to humanity, to your neighborhood, to a family member or friend. We’ve been hearing a lot lately about sending donations to Haiti. The devastation there was immense, but then we look around our own cities and realize that there’s also a different type of devastation within our own communities it’s a lot to take in. Where do we begin to right the abundance of wrongs? How do we, as individuals, tackle these hardships? Are the people most affected even helping themselves or do they even want our help? How do we decide which hardship warrants what little extra time, money or energy we may have available to give?

Sometimes we give out of obligation or because of a disaster, and sometimes because we’re offered an incentive or to make ourselves feel good. Life is full of trade-offs and sometimes it’s nice to do something just because. Maybe there won’t be an immediate gratification other than knowing that you’ve done something for someone else who never expected it.

We’ve all seen the folks down on their luck at intersections with signs. In fact, I’ve heard friends tell me that they help those with the cleverest wording on their signs… We’ve also heard that some of those people actually make more money than we do! What should we believe? Should we help? Another friend has limited strength to volunteer, yet donates money to feed people in his community. He believes that the food bank he contributes to is doing its best to help people. He believes in that organization. We never really know if the organization we chose to support handles their donations correctly or helps in the most efficient way. Oftentimes that thought sticks with us when we’re asked to help out, and frankly, that’s sad.

The decision of who to help, or how, has to be something you’re comfortable with. But how can we honestly sit back, do nothing for anybody and complain that the world is not getting any better? Whatever drives you to help someone, follow that inner voice.

However you feel comfortable helping another soul – human or animal, please do so. We chose to help the homeless people that do not try to intimidate us. We usually offer to feed them rather than give them money… this is how we feel comfortable. Maybe that’s too much interaction for you. That’s ok. How about buying an extra can of food at the grocery and dropping it into a food drive bin, or donating your child’s outgrown tennis shoes? There are so many small ways that we can make a big difference.

This weekend we are working for Habitat for Humanity in Maui. We’re looking forward to this adventure. It’s our way of showing our appreciation for a community that always welcomes us and provides us with creative inspiration. It’s not a lot of our time or money, but it will help a lot of people.

What other little ways can we all help people? One little action per month by 100 people will affect more than 1,000 lives each year. That’s a lot for very little.