Regardless of our status in life, we all have a responsibility to do good and make the world a better place − and it is not as difficult as it sounds either!
What is “goodness”?
Philosophers have been debating this concept for centuries and each individual usually has his or her own concept of what “goodness” entails. Former President Nelson Mandela gave us a hint when he used the term “selflessness”, the opposite of selfishness, to describe what most people perceive goodness to be. He said: “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dream of.”
The 18th of July has been declared International Mandela Day and the slogan “Take action, inspire change” has been inspiring people in South Africa and all over the world to turn away from their own concerns and lend a helping hand to others. If that does not smack of “goodness” what does?
Your do-good guide
Here are a few suggestions to help you help others.
- Love your neighbour. “Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same − with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead”, said mother Theresa, surely one of the best examples of selfless love and “goodness”.
- Have compassion. Don’t shut your eyes and heart to the needs around you. Determine to focus more on others than on yourself and not only will it make a big difference to others but it will also make you less stressed and happier.
- Be kind. “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal” (Steve Maraboli in Life, the truth, and being free). Set an example and treat everyone with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you; not because they are nice, but because you are, suggests Angel Chernoff. However, do not allow people to mistake kindness for weakness or forgiveness for acceptance of bad and evil behaviour.
- Encourage, don’t criticise. William James reminds us that “the deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated”. If you want to do good, try to bring out the best in people by encouraging and motivating them.
- Give as much as you can of your worldly goods, time, talents, etc but don’t allow yourself to be used.
- Take appropriate action to fulfil a need. Always be ready to reach out a helping hand but make sure your actions actually help and do not hinder. Immediate needs such as helping someone with a flat tyre or carrying an old lady’s groceries or giving someone something to eat or drink are easy to satisfy but visiting a lonely widow or sick person in hospital or taking a special interest in an orphan or a child with special needs takes more than good intentions. “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”, says John Bunyan. So, do it anyway!
- Become a volunteer. There are usually numerous volunteer opportunities available in your community and elsewhere. Any one of the many volunteer organisations and NGOs in South Africa will be more than willing and very thankful to receive your help. You can even involve your whole family and make it a group effort.
- Administer justice. Do not tolerate injustice of any kind when you see it or experience it at home, in the workplace or your community. As far as it is in your power to do, take action and report it or stop it.
- Be balanced. It’s easy to swing from one extreme to another in the struggle to be good. For example, you can take helping to the extreme by doing everything for someone who is capable of taking care of him or herself or by forcing your “help” on someone who does not want to be helped. The answer is to stay humble and not think you have all the answers. If in doubt ask for help from someone else.
- Heed the advice of Barack Obama, President of the USA: “Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”
Sources
How to be a good neighbour. Retrieved from: http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-answers/how-to-be-a-good-neighbor.htm
How to be good. Retrieved from: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Good
How to be helpful. Retrieved from: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Helpful
Quotes about helping others. Retrieved from: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/helping-others
Quotes by Nelson Mandela. 2010. Retrieved from: http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/mini-site/selected-quotes
Saisan, J. et.al. 2013. Volunteering and its surprising benefits. Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/life/volunteer_opportunities_benefits_volunteering.htm