Do For Others As You Do For Yourself?

Do you do for others as you do for yourself? That question stops us in our tracks. People need us, but do we need them? Sometimes we help them. Sometimes we give them something to eat. We want to help…but do we? Remember those times we took the time to help someone who needed it, when we gave someone what, if it came down to it, you would rather have kept.

I think most of my readers would say that they want to help others more often than they do. Does it cost you? “Well, no.” We just don’t do it, or even think about doing it. So I think we should wake ourselves up. I mean, really and truly wake ourselves up. That would take some doing and a little thinking. But we can do it, and we can think about how to do it.

Let’s think about it.

First we need to have a plan. Let’s decide: Who? What? Where? There are a few groups that furnish the tools for making a meal for those who need it. Select one of them and then check what they do. You can start to help them. Get involved in whatever way you can. You can do all sorts of things like gathering clothes for the homeless or people in need. You can help with setting things out on the shelves, if you want. You can assist wherever and whenever. Expand your horizon. Try something new. Get a grip on.

After you have a plan, it helps if you determine what action you will take. Make sure you look clean and neat. You need to make a good impression, that is, if you want others to take you as serious. So, look nice, wear clean and neat clothes. Smell good! Be helpful. Put your best foot forward. Then go to some places, two or three, and ask if they could use some help. Even places like a library can use your help.

Try something new this week

Then you should take some time to plan a fresh face approach. Think positive thoughts. Be willing to learn. Do your best. Be kind. Help others. Be considerate. Ask your boss what he or she would like you to do…and then do it. Be courteous. Don’t waste time and don’t use improper language. You want this to be fun, but you want to make the day go better because you are there. I mean this, really and truly mean this.

Let’s talk some about your attitude. You can make the day go better since you are there, or you can make the day um worse because you are there. You can do it, yes you can. You may not even be working with the customer, but your presence makes a difference. If you are determined to be a good help, you most likely will be. It’s the way you look at things. Have a positive attitude and your day will go better than, say, having a poor attitude (even though your world isn’t perfect). People like to be around positive people.

People know you care . . .

I have been talking about volunteers. However, these same principles work where ever you go. a positive attitude always is pleasing. Even for a teacher, it pays to be positive. It may be small or even big things. Compliment the way they look or something they brought to work with them. Laugh at people’s jokes (clean jokes, I mean). Bring treats, now and then. Watch your language, you’ll be glad you did. Be busy…all the time, not just when it suits you. Good manners help. Say please, thank you, no problem and that sort of thing.

. . . when you show you care.

Now. unfortunately, it’s taken me a l-o-n-g time to get myself in gear regarding these practical tools for social engagement. I used to be a negative thinker and doer, although I wasn’t too bad. Part of it was because my life was a bit hard, but that is no excuse. I could’ve. should’ve, but didn’t. I remember my Aunt Louise saying that as a teacher she should’ve spent more time with her peers. That was true of me, too. People know you care when you show you care. In fact, that is true where ever you go.

So, if I see you in the market, please say hi. If you’re at the park and a ball comes rolling your way, don’t ignore it, throw it back with a smile on your face. If you mess up, say you’re sorry. It is all the little things that matter. People are drawn to people who make them feel good. Remember that. During the Covid upset and people were staying home because they had no choice. some of the public skills drained away. It’s time to bring them back. I don’t know about you, but I particularly like it when the store personnel is pleasant to me. They make me glad I’ve come. Some of us older folks know these things. Put your smile on…and thank YOU!

Push, Relax, Contemplate, Rejoice

i just finished rereading The Horse and His Boy., by C. S. Lewis, one of the books in The Chronicles of Narnia series. I’ve read it before but it had been a long time. Shasta, a poor fisherman’s boy, knows little besides work. After awhile he learns that he isn’t the fisherman’s son. He leaves the fisherman and goes off on his own adventure. Through circumstances he meets with Aravis, a female runaway. The plot thickens. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so I’ll leave it there. I don’t know about you, but I can relate to Shasta.

Much in life I slightly understand but not in full. Like many of you, I am reaching forward, but I am unsure of what exactly I am reaching for. I want to grow as a Christian but I’m not always sure if I am going in the right direction. I keep on, though. I become more discerning as I grow older. The more I learn, the more I grow and the more I share the love of God. The more I share the love of God, the more like Him I become. There comes a point where you desire to rest in Jesus, really rest.You are entering the deeper walk with God, then. It is a wonderful joy-filled walk when your vision is focused on God, and nothing else.

There comes a point when your vision alters. We can do so much, but really, God is bringing us along until we want Him more than anything else. We desire Him. We want Him. He means the world to us. It’s hard to know why, but He gives and gives and doesn’t stop giving. The cool thing is that He gives us more than we had before. But we weren’t ready to receive more like we are now. There are times when the pace slows and we seek little by little. We aren’t really doing anything but God still seeks us. Then we leap ahead taking giant steps. God is in it all. He teaches us as we go. He knows where He is taking us.

There are some periods when our life seems out of sorts. We keep trying but the path get gnarled. We try to make it come out all right but it becomes more troublesome or the problems multiply. We keep striving but the way seems invisible. What can you do then? Remain faithful. Don’t become bitter. Help where ever you can. Read God’s word. Meditate. Think about what God is saying to you. You might get some counsel from a Christian counselor. Some things are beyond your ability. Accept that. Keep moving forward even if no one else can tell you are. It is helpful to thank the Lord for the many good things in your life. Even the grass we walk on is worth praising God for. Even that we have food to eat is worth giving praise and thanks to God.

If someone, a Christian, perhaps. keeps taking the conversation down a negative path, if you can’t stop them and you really tried, then limit your time with them. Be with people that build toward a better future. They put into our lives and we need that. Encourage others. Change the subject when necessary. You’ll be glad you did. We can be too negative. That kills the inner spirit. God makes the day beautiful. Look at the clouds, the sun, moon, and stars. Thank God for them. He has blessed us with so much.

So, kick back today. Look around you. Thank God for something you see. Thank Him for your best friend. Help someone. Praise God. Enjoy Him. Seek Him. Help someone. Call someone you haven’t talked to in awhile. Fill you soul with eternal blessings. Look in your house, then thank Him for a few of the things that have come your way. Look at something beautiful. Let its beauty fill you up to overflowing. God cares about you. God wants to help you. Let Him.