When we are given a chance to help, do we extend our hands and reach out? If not, what could be stopping us? What is preventing us from helping those in need?
There are good people in the world. Contrary to what we see on social media and news that the world is filled with bad personas doing evil things, most of the good that happens goes unnoticed. This is because a lot of these good people would rather stay anonymous. They never want for people to know they are giving.
However, there are good people in the world, given a chance to help, that declines. When given a chance, it is a choice between ignoring and giving. Why would good people ignore and not help? Why would they not reach out their hands and give help as much as they can?
As much as they can. That is the phrase. That is worth noting. What they can. If they can not, they won’t. If they do not have anything, how can they? What can they give, even if there is opportunity to do so, if they have nothing?
They said that even if you do not have anything, you must help. Helping does not start when you have a lot. True helping starts even if you have nothing to give. Nothing to offer. Real helping and real people who help starts when they can not.
Nice words. Value oriented. Great! But, how realistic is that? These are good people but have nothing to offer. Maybe the only thing they can offer is to get out of the way and let other people do their thing.
In the book Give And Take by Adam Grant, he mentioned the word Otherish. These are people who help others not to the extent that it will drain them. Not to the extent that there won’t be anything left for them. Well, that is logical. How could someone continue giving if there is nothing left? Like a battery. It won’t be able to give out power if it has been drained.
My wife and I used to be in a place where we always worry about our finances. In turn, we turn away any opportunity to help, even a small amount to beggars. Well, maybe a few coins, but that is just it. We have never been able to help anyone that could really have some lasting impact.
But now that we have our finances straight and can provide the needs of our families, we are in a better position to help others. We welcome opportunities that give us a chance to give back. We give time, effort, and money to make things happen. It is the least that we could do.
And helping others is a good thing. It creates a good feeling. It builds and strengthens relationships. It teaches us a lot of things. It helps us to be compassionate. It makes us a better person.
So, if you are not able to help anyone due to your circumstances, that is fine. Do not feel guilty about it. However, if you have the means, lend out a hand. Reach out. Make the world a little better for everyone. It is said that if you do so, it will come back to you more. Well, if that is so, and it is true, the more you give the more you get.
Help as much as you can.