The old saying “Man is not an island” does not seem to hold sway today with the onset of technology. Too often the trend in our society today is for people to be separated from one another. Instead of visiting family and friends we SMS them by mobile; instead of meeting and having a conversation we send an email. People stay home to watch television instead of meeting friends for a coffee. Cars have taken us off the streets where we used to greet each other and stop to chat. We don’t have to leave home to shop – it can be ordered through your computer. Young people are brought up with the latest technology but they have trouble holding a conversation. The tendency is toward selfishness rather than giving, on helping ourselves rather than helping others in the community.
How many people know their neighbours today? You can live in a street of 20 to 50 people and not know what difficulties are going on behind closed doors. You can begin to know your neighbours by smiling and waving to them. Be the first to say, “Hello”. After a time the ice will melt and you can get to know one another. Be prepared to keep an eye on their home when they are away; when someone is ill, cook them a dinner. If you want to help someone, it is good to start in your own street. This is the beginning of community There is no better way to enrich your life than by enriching the lives of others. Helping others can give you a sense of purpose and reaffirm your belief in yourself. As you interact with people your purpose in life can be revealed; you have talents and abilities that you can use to help others and it can make you feel useful. When you help others you go into a situation which you can change for the better and this can give you a sense of accomplishment.
It is so easy to become involved in your own never-ending activities but when you help someone you step outside of yourself and see the world from a different perspective. When you are genuinely able to give someone else a helping hand, it will always be a fulfilling experience. Helping doesn’t mean that you have to go out of your way; it just means that when opportunities present themselves you seize them and make someone’s life easier. For example, when someone drops something as they pass you, pick it up and hand it to them. If someone asks you for directions, be prepared to stop what you are doing and help them. We all have busy lives, but if we stopped and helped others a little more often we would be much happier within ourselves and build a sense of community appreciation and gratitude.