Things To Consider Today    By Leland Pulley

Charity And Service In Your Community

A few days ago we went to the business office of a couple we know. They’re a distributor for the major newspaper in this metropolitan area. Several people work for them, each having a separate route. This was the week before Thanksgiving, and in this office were piles and piles of advertisements and fliers that had to be organized. Eight people were in the office preparing these bundles of advertisements in advance so they could be inserted into the regular newspaper in time for Black Friday. I’ve been told this Friday after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year. A lot of paper was being used. I wondered if all these advertisements actually get looked at by shoppers. I certainly throw most of them away in my house.

In this example a couple is merely doing their job to make a living. But what they were doing that evening reveals a lot about my society. Do we Americans really have to do all the shopping we do? How many material goods and comforts and conveniences do we need? Must we have the newest or latest model of a device? Is there a better way to spend some of our shopping time and the money that is spent while shopping? I do little shopping anymore because I don’t really need anything. I was never thrilled about shopping to begin with. I would rather spend my time doing something that is more of a direct benefit to people in terms of making improvements in their lives.

The newspaper example got me thinking about another one. A neighbor of mine serves on a local volunteer board. It is a citizen advisory board that reports to the county commissioners in our county. Such boards provide free input to the commissioners and the paid staff at the county level. The citizens who serve freely gain from this experience and so do the people who receive their inputs. Ultimately the whole county benefits. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. This is service.

I have run for public office and worked on political campaigns. A lot of time and effort and money is used. There is frustration along with satisfaction. There is success and failure. The people involved always win if they volunteer to be a candidate who has the right intentions and motives. The candidate should be willing to serve his voters or constituents. Those who work on campaigns, many of whom are unpaid like I was, get benefits too. They are learning and growing and making acquaintances ,and ultimately serving the general public. Once again everyone wins if the democratic process is run right and utilized fairly.

 Today is Thanksgiving and the holiday season is here. I hope you have a good meal with family, friends or associates. Perhaps you donated money to a local charity or organization which is serving free meals to the needy today. Maybe you’re a volunteer who is serving meals to the needy. Either way represents charity in a simple and pure form. There are no strings attached or ulterior motives by people who give of their time and money in this way.

In our area there is a year round food bank, which accepts food and money to help those in need. Such people could have no jobs or merely lower incomes that are insufficient for all their family needs. This is another type of opportunity to be charitable.

Many charities and volunteer organizations begin their phone campaigns this time of year. They hope your holiday mood will bring bigger donations to them. Be willing to give, but be selective which group or organization gets your help.

Charity and service is not limited to groups and organizations. The most important actions occur in private lives between individuals. Charity and service begin at home, and they should be taught and exemplified there. These things should become part of being a good neighbor too. There can be charity, and especially service, in subtle ways at work.

The secret is to balance your own desires and concerns with having concern for others too. Don’t be too preoccupied with only you and your life. Otherwise, you won’t look for, let alone see, all the opportunities to be charitable and serve others.

Give charity and service a chance to operate more fully in your life. As this occurs, you grow to become a more spiritual and happy individual. Others benefit too. When all of us do this, the social and spiritual environment we live in daily is more edifying and uplifting. We are more optimistic, tolerant and cooperative. Life is better for everyone.

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Copyright  2007     Leland Pulley