In the hustle and bustle of the modern world, it's easy to end up with a single-minded focus on our own goals and challenges and become blinded to the needs of those around us. Sometimes, it can be the smallest things that have a profound impact on others and the choices we make means this could go in one of two ways. A little consideration can mean a lot - and so can the lack thereof.
An Act of Kindness
Doing a good deed can be very simple, and satisfying for both the deedee and the deeder (if you'll pardon the making up of words). Sometimes it's as easy as giving way in traffic, holding the door open for someone, or telling a girl in the club toilets that she's trailing half a roll of toilet paper along on her shoe.
Other times it just takes a bit of routine awareness. Acquainting ourselves with elderly neighbours and keeping an eye on them (not in the spying-in-the-bushes way but in the friendly-and-helpful-neighbour way) can bring a lot of peace of mind to people who are quite vulnerable in our community.
Spending a bit of free time good-deeding every now and then instead of whiling away leisure time in front of the TV can be very fulfilling. Putting together old clothes, linens, books and games and taking the trouble to donate them to a charity shop run by organisations such as
The Salvation Army or
Lifeline may take a little more time than throwing them in the bin, but knowing the items or the proceeds of the items are going to a good cause is very rewarding, and ensuring these goods are recycled is great news for the environment. For large items such as furniture, the Salvos can also arrange collection which saves you from tying the old lounge suite onto the roof of your car.
For those looking to do something more, many organisations welcome casual volunteers in a variety of roles. For those who have an affinity with animals, the
RSPCA runs with the assistance of volunteers who donate their time to help with feeding and socialising the animals at their shelters, as well as lending a hand with cleaning and administration.
For those who love kids,
The Smith Family is always looking for support from volunteers to assist as mentors for teens or as literacy coaches for disadvantaged children.
Volunteering Australia provides further information about the responsibilities of volunteers and is regularly updated with volunteering opportunities. And opportunities they are - not just to help others, but to gain experience in a field of interest or even to build a basis from which to apply to help mankind overseas.
We don't all need to be
Mother Theresa, or give
Bob Geldof a run for his charity money, but a little good-deeding goes a long way - and after all, we never know when we might need a good deed ourselves.
