Help a man to help himself
- April 30th, 2010
- 1 Comment »
I came across these thoughts on Philanthropy by Henry David Thoreau in his book “Walden” and I feel it would be good to share them with you.
“A man is not a good man to me because he will feed me if I should be starving, or warm me if I should be freezing, or pull me out of a ditch if I should ever fall into one… Philanthropy is not love for one’s fellow-man in the broadest sense. Howard was no doubt an exceedingly kind and worthy man in his way, and has his reward; but, comparatively speaking, what are a hundred Howards to us, if their philanthropy do not help us in our best estate, when we are most worthy to be helped?”
This brought to mind a famous quotation: “Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; teach him how to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.”
It is wonderful that we have generous people who give a good portion of their wealth to the poor and needy. At the same time, we are grateful to the ones who give selflessly of themselves to these people through their lives and voluntary works.
However, I feel its important that we help the poor and needy to re-discover their worthiness and confidence in themselves. To guide them in their journeys that they have it in them to overcome the odds and to create a life that they deserve. Not just the poor and needy, but everyone whom we meet on a daily basis – to remind one another that we are complete and everything that we desire in life, it’s all there in us!
Continue to give generously – be it cash, in kind or your service; and when you do, explore how you can help him be on his feet again. It is definitely a possibility that the person you have helped along the way, will not only be able to help himself but also to help others as well.
Make a difference in someone’s life today.
Yes – it is quite a challenge for us to Allow people to struggle, because most of the time we are only “helping” because it makes US feel good…. we call it love, compassion, helpfullness, etc. BUT it is really selfishness- IF you can get real honest with yourself and really feel the sensation in your body when even a small situation arises and you “do nothing”. Practice THIS- this allowing your body to feel uncomfortable – just breathe and stay focused within while knowing that THEY are entirely capable to handle their life – that they know what is best for them and not anybody else. Notice how uncomfortable it is to “mind your own business” – to LOVE and let LIVE!! Can you find the courage to ALLOW what is to be as it is?? It is a very unfamiliar way and so it will be uncomfortable and your mind will say “that’s crazy advice”. Just try it and you will begin to see how needy you are, how you are addicted to those “good feelings” and the the love, approval,appreciation,etc. that you receive from others!! I like to remember a quote that really spoke to me when I was beginning to practice this FOR my children and grandchildren…..”their Challenge is to see that they can get along without me – and my CHALLENGE is to let them”… Are YOU up for the challenge?? IT IS ALL UP TO YOU!!! I KNOW you can!! YOU have everything you need inside you– feed it, nourish it, wake it up. Another quote that helped me was…”Things may FEEL worse before they FEEL better, BUT they will NEVER get better unless YOU ALLOW them to get worse!!