Helping Others
Hi All you Wonderful WA Members
I was thinking the other day, about HELP, when is it considered helping,
Eg. most days, when I am on the road, at many intersections, I come across at least one person standing there with a placard with some catchy phrase in order to relieve you of some of your loose change.
By giving, is this actually helping that individual or just making them more dependant, knowing that tomorrow, they could do it again, because we "HELPED" by giving coin.
On one occasion I challenged an individual, who was offering his services of washing cars for compensation, by agreeing to pay him to wash my car at my residence which was a stone's throw away.
He seemed stunned, as if he did not really expect anyone to take up his challenge, thereby proving his insincerity.
I believe we should lead by example in helping others, we should talk the talk AND walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
How does one help others when you cannot help yourself, this is the point that I would like to make in this blog,
I am an Auto Mechanic, most of my life has been in the service of others, imparting hard earned knowledge to help all whom I could, sometimes without compensation, by my choosing, My website's motto is
"BY HELPING OTHERS WE PROSPER"
These traits are inherent, but it can also be taught.
I have seen people offer help with things they knew nothing of, thereby doing more harm than good, so,
How do we know if we are actually helping?
Your insights would be very much appreciated, please.
All the best
Gary
Recent Comments
15
Help can come in many forms; and some will accept it and use it, while others will not take advantage of the offer. I think it comes down to what your intent is when offering the help. If you're looking for some kind of payback, you're wasting your time.
So, what's your motive?
Thanks -
Hi Gary. For me, what counts is offering help to the other person.
If this person accepts your help but does nothing with it, then that is their problem. You have at least offered assistance and you know that your heart is in the right place.
I love your website motto. All the best!
Thank you Roy for stopping by and your insight, leading a horse to water is the message here.
Gary
I think you have to listen to your heart on these matters. Sometimes I give to these people and sometimes I don't. But when I do, they seem very grateful. I try not to judge them..
We all have our own path to follow. Debbie
I see people on the street all the time asking for money. I get asked as least twice a day while out.
A couple months ago I saw a young man sitting on the sidewalk. I thought to myself I have a son and would hate to see him like this. When he asked me for change I gave him $5.00. He was happy and I walked away.
About an hour later I was in a grocery store not far from where the guy was that I gave the money to. I saw him in the grocery store with a big smile picking up food. It made me feel good that I was able to help.
Another time I was in a popular coffee shop and 3 young teens walked in and sat down, they looked tired. One of them, a male, came to me and asked if I could spare change for the bus. I told him I don't carry change which is true, it's rare. I thought it was probably for cigarettes etc...He thanked me and walked away.
Then I remembered I had a 5 ride pass for the bus on me I didn't need. I went to their table, and asked him if he could use the 5 ride pass (seeing that he was with 2 females). He stood up and just looked at me and didn't talk. I said, I guess not... and he said No, that's exactly what we need to go home! he was so surprised as he took it. As they were leaving a couple of minutes after, all 3 of them stopped on the way out, and gratefully thanked me.
I think the true term your a seeking is "service" to others not help. Yes, we can help others and do harm but if we take the perspective of giving service to others then we are not so eager to jump in where we truly don't belong. If you feel it in your heart I feel it is right. Who is to judge what is harmful or not. If you're standing on a corner asking for your fellow brother to help you, then you are open to whatever your brother is willing and able to give. If you are standing on the corner asking specifically how your brother can better your current situation then there are no gray areas, your brother either has or do not have what he/she needs. Then make the choice accordingly. Then we all benefit.
Denise
Hello Denise
Thank you for your insights, on judging others, we all do it to a certain degree, yes it is wrong but unfortunately a human trait/weakness.
Regards
Gary
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Hi Gary, the way I see it is if what I have to offer is of value to the receiver, then I would consider it helping.
Jerome
Hi Jerome
Thanks for popping in.
Sounds right but your value and mine might differ, so who is to decide what is of value to who, catch 22, some we just cannot win, it is the old story of which came 1st the chicken or the egg.
All the best Jerme