Now, I know this post is going to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but really, I don't normally like to discuss such things. It goes against the spirit of altruism, after all. But is anything really, truly altruistic if you derive pleasure from doing it?
Anyway, I'm posting it because I couldn't think of something else!
What works for me, mentally and emotionally, is to give of myself where I can. We all do this in some degree, in "normal" places, I would hope. Like, if someone drops a bag of groceries in the parking lot, we may run over and scramble to pick things up before they get squashed. Stuff like that, we all do, right?
That's giving of yourself. And it makes you feel good. Other things I do that make me feel good, are:
- I run my charity, CARE Package, Inc. My husband and I devote our resources, and I donate many hours of my time and also my skills, to making layettes for these sweet little angel babies.
- I give blood as often as I can. It doesn't cost me a cent and only takes about an hour of my time every other month. And honestly, it really doesn't hurt. Plus there are the free cookies.
- Twice now, I have grown out and donated my hair to Locks of Love, and I'm on the verge of deciding to grow it out a third time. Again, it costs nothing and is completely painless. Why not give of yourself in this way?
I had a mental list of about five items total, but of course now the other two escape me since I didn't write them down. Rats! But please, if you can think of other easy, painless and low-cost or free ways to give of yourself, post them in the comments!
It really, truly does make me feel better, and that works for me.
Fin.
Lovely post! Alturism is the best cure for what ails you.
Posted by: Brenda | 23 July 2008 at 09:14
i very much admire you and anyone who donates blood and hair to locks of love. i wish i could. to be honest i would love to tell you i don't weigh enough to give blood, but i don't want my pants to catch fire for telling a flib.
i've donated blood twice - once in honor of my new bf (now Mr. Right) with hemophillia (found out later that week that he has never taken real blood before, he opts for synthetic) and once at a church drive to pay back a transfusion that a church member with cancer needed. both time I got ill. my father is very good about donating every time he is eligable.
and regarding locks of love, i wish i had a better excuse, but long hair gets on my nerves. i lack the fruit of patiences to deal with it. but I do thank God for people like you who participate in such great cause!
Posted by: Brooke | 23 July 2008 at 09:52
I donated my hair to Locks of Love this past fall and my daughter just did it at the beginning of the summer. It was so remarkable to hear her tell the lady at the salon what she was doing and to go ahead and cut her hair - because it would grow back...and that there were people who could use her hair.
Very inspiring.
Posted by: Slacker Mom | 23 July 2008 at 10:07
I definitely agree as I feel better after doing things for others. I gave my hair for Locks of Love just a few months ago. I also love to bake and take things to the neighbors, friends, etc.
Posted by: Sherry | 23 July 2008 at 12:13
My daughter donated her hair several yrs. back. Dh honks the horn as he passes some one. He said it makes some ones day. I do the same. It's like smiling.
Yes I do help w/grocery spills if they come around. Thank goodness not many have.
Posted by: BarbaraLee | 23 July 2008 at 12:59
What a great thing to do! :)
Posted by: Muthering Heights | 23 July 2008 at 15:48
Something to consider in the future. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Tonya | 24 July 2008 at 22:36
I'm so glad you posted this! I know it's hard sometimes to write about our charity work, but it is important to let others know what we are doing.
I am now inspired to make a donation to CARE, but would have never known about it if you hadn't written today. We work with the Red Cross, and several of our readers have made donations because of our blogging about it.
So, consider your post a way to support your cause rather than "blowing your horn." I know we readers appreciate it!
Posted by: Louise | 03 August 2008 at 09:49
Oh, and thanks for taking PayPal. So much easier than sending a check :-)
Posted by: Louise | 03 August 2008 at 09:51
RRx17e Armchair sightseeing, with links to many famous places and landmarks
Posted by: 1246151183 | 27 June 2009 at 21:06