Seeing ourselves as spiritual beings (however loosely
we define that) gives us the confidence to develop our capacities for
engagement & altruism, to be stimulated & provoked as we connect with
other people in their wondrous complexity, honing our spiritual resources &
values & living them out. It also
gives us the confidence to forgive life & ourselves when things do not go
to plan. The priceless view & the
confidence that comes with it need not depend on formal religious affiliation
(although it might include it); it
depends on identity, values, outlook & attitude.
Ah, a slew of my favorite words - engagement &
altruism, confidence, identity, values, outlook & attitude.
The word that most stands out in this present moment is altruism. I’ve become someone who
utterly wallows in altruism. I
absolutely love it!
For me, altruism is spectacularly liberating. It frees me to provide valuable services without cost to not only the barely-squeaking-by, but also to the flagrantly well-off who sometimes lack the tender self-awareness to see where sinking a few bucks in an unlikely place would yield significant dividends.
I think about older friends coping with the cost of services & support – it’s not unusual for what I offer to be cut back when other more basic ones become financially draining. If I have a free evening & they are by themselves for dinner, why not step up & fill what can be a very significant void?
For me, altruism is spectacularly liberating. It frees me to provide valuable services without cost to not only the barely-squeaking-by, but also to the flagrantly well-off who sometimes lack the tender self-awareness to see where sinking a few bucks in an unlikely place would yield significant dividends.
I think about older friends coping with the cost of services & support – it’s not unusual for what I offer to be cut back when other more basic ones become financially draining. If I have a free evening & they are by themselves for dinner, why not step up & fill what can be a very significant void?
That’s something I’ve never gleaned – being able to do something that would help others without doing harm to me, yet
hold back simply because no one is paying me. Since what feels like forever, there's joy to offering a helping hand, to expand someone's life experience & ideally empower their spirit.
It doesn’t make me a goody two shoes - just
my nature.
And it has its own very real rewards. When the comfortably-off friend talks about my driving her to an important appointment as a gift from me to her, it matters to me that she GETS it. When an elderly friend faces dinner alone, there’s reward beyond measure in being there to lighten the meal & evening.
And it has its own very real rewards. When the comfortably-off friend talks about my driving her to an important appointment as a gift from me to her, it matters to me that she GETS it. When an elderly friend faces dinner alone, there’s reward beyond measure in being there to lighten the meal & evening.
Pro bono publico – for the public good. It is my belief that we are all called to do
all we can for individuals as well as for the common good, that private good contributes to, supports public
good.
Few people would dispute that money is a form of energy,
helping fuel our lives & dreams.
For me, being of use is an even more essential energy source. Being
paid is nice, but when it’s not in the
cards, I don't hold its lack as reason to hold back when I can
help out. And I don't do means testing before offering my aid.
The very first thing John learned from me about
my birth faith was its strong belief in being of use. Hey, being useful – acting from a deep faith
in doing things pro bono – was taught to me from the cradle.
The question isn’t why do I go out of my way to lend the helping hand, but why is it considered almost suspect?
The question isn’t why do I go out of my way to lend the helping hand, but why is it considered almost suspect?
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