give to those in need
Happy Monday! Prior to last week’s video recap, I wrote two posts called “be silly” and “show up for others,” focusing on having fun and supporting those in need, respectively. I had a fantastic weekend and attended a black tie charity event on Saturday night that got me thinking about doing more, which lead to this week's post, piggybacking off of showing up for others: giving to those in need.
Do you find that helping others makes you feel fulfilled in some way? When you’ve finally gotten the chance and made the choice to show up for others, it can feel really great. But there are often times when some sort of barrier makes it impossible to physically show up. This past weekend, I attended an event that benefited Heifer International, a foundation that works to provide impoverished families with an animal in order to help them build a sustainable life. Their foundation states, “Giving an animal is like giving someone a small business, providing wool, milk, eggs and more. Animal donations can provide families a hand up, increasing access to medicine, school, food and a sustainable livelihood.”*
We all need a hand up sometimes, though it can be hard to ask for help. Giving and receiving love freely is one of the most beautiful reasons we exist, which is why it’s so important to give that love in different ways. When you’re unable to show up physically, it’s important to show up in other ways. You can reach out verbally, emotionally, or financially. With the creation of the internet we have an entire world at our fingertips, so it’s important to use that access for good.
Has there ever been a time where you’ve wished you could ask for help or needed a hand up in some way? Have you ever noticed someone close to you feeling out of sorts? In either situation, when the person who was down on his luck received support or acknowledgment, didn’t she feel better? Providing support doesn’t equal total and immediate relief, but it’s good to lighten someone’s burden if even for only a few minutes. A seemingly small sacrifice may not mean much to us, but it could mean a whole sustainable life to someone else! Small things lead to big things!
I’ve written before that hurt people hurt people. We’ve all been on the gradient of victim and villain in that sense at one point or another, which is why it’s important to try and work hard to help those in need. There’s a common thread of good that connects people together, and it’s when we’re at our most vulnerable that true human connection can occur. And now for a Disney reference! Just like in the movie “Inside Out,” sharing our most vulnerable, human moments and emotions can provide us with the opportunity to heal with others.
Create that space to help others and to heal. Give support to people who need it, whether physically, verbally, or emotionally. And find a way to lighten someone’s load. We’re all in this crazy thing called life together!
Thank you so much for reading, and, as always, if you have any pressing questions or if you want to discuss something further with me, please subscribe below, follow me on Instagram or Twitter, or reach out to me on the “contact” page. I’m so grateful you're here and that I’ve been getting a lot of really challenging questions and even better feedback from a community all over the world. I couldn’t do this without you! So THANK YOU! I’m here for you, and I love hearing from you, too! You’re the best, and you have everything you need inside of you! Please believe it! Starve your ego, feed your soul - and follow your heart!