Just because I’m not going to write the next great American novel doesn’t mean I’m not going to blog more this month. National Blog Posting Month gave me an idea last year for some really interesting posts, so this year, I am branching out again.
I started this day off by helping others in my neighborhood. It was a small gesture at first, but I hope they enjoyed it. A surprise treat on two porches. Next, a neighbor called and asked for help with writing an obituary. I can honestly say that I haven’t had to look into that before, but I was quite surprised at the price. She had her draft ready to go, but had a hard time navigating the internet. I think it’s cute when the older generation doesn’t really understand as I’m sure I’ll be like that one day. Anyway, it took me a few seconds and I was done, but since her computer was slow and a bit old as well, I couldn’t get the photo to upload properly. It also was estimated to cost her over $450. She was shocked. We took the photo part off after much debate, changing it to black/white, and cutting some lines. By the time we were done it was still $300.
The sad thing is, I realize newspapers are becoming a thing of the past, but everything seems price driven right now. As I walked away with a jar of homemade fig preserves, I thought about the barter system. Why can’t we do more things like this right now? We are all hurting for money. Or better yet, start doing more without expecting anything in return. I see people all the time trying to sell their belongings. When it doesn’t sell, I hope you donate. I am going to be posting more about giving back to the community this month and I am going to be looking into ways we can change things for each other.
This is the page of a dear friend, and I encourage you to browse it as you ponder what we really can do to help the “re-Birth of Humanity“. If you take a peek at the top, Glynne has a blog link as well. She also has a tribute to some modern-day humanitarians. The definition of such is an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended to all human beings. And this brings me to my challenge for November. Kindness. Paying it forward. Compassion. These are just a few of the things I am going to be highlighting over on my FB page. I am going to make an effort to help others this month in any small way I can, and I don’t mean monetary right now. We need to get out of the mindset where we feel that if we don’t have anything to give, we simply don’t try. You would be surprised at what others admire about you and it could be a small thing like computer skills. It could be photography used to help others. Donating old toys to local shelters. Your time at a soup kitchen. Secretly sweeping the leaves from an elderly neighbors drive. Mowing the lawn of a single mother. Looking directly in the eye of the cashier and saying “Thank you.”
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~Anne Frank
