Showing compassion and affection doesn’t always come so easy in certain situations. You don’t want to seem unaware when someone is in need; but especially when you have problems of your own, it’s hard not to appear cold to others. Considering that nobody’s life is perfectly seamless, there should be no excuse for not helping those who are in need. This is where Charity comes in, and it is up to you to do something good - within your own means, of course. It is all about how much you want to invest - be it time, money, or goodwill.

Common Courtesy

I consider myself friendly to most strangers. I love little old ladies, and flirting with old gentlemen. Making them smile makes me feel so good.

When you do something to help someone without thinking about anything, that is caring and compassionate.

A simple token of appreciation to a co-worker as small as a roll of Lifesavers says a lot after he/she has helped you with a task.

Chivalry is not dead

A while back I shared an incident Thumper had with Dawne over at The Incurable Romantic. She was so taken by his effort to help an older woman struggling with a walker, she mentioned it in her next article.

I have to say the reason I shared the story with her was because I thought it was along the lines with her heartfelt article. I am proud of the display of Thumper’s compassion with coming to the aid of an elderly woman.

This happened at the bank. Now if you have read any of my articles about how Thumper is - you will remember that he doesn’t like wasting time.

One of our common traits is hating lines. He was next in line at the bank when this little elderly woman with a walker was struggling with the door. He left his place in line to assist her.

He told me she was so thankful for his assistance. The look on her face warmed his heart. Then he thought how could anyone else not see her?

Of course, he lost his place in line. He wasn’t happy about that but he felt good inside that he was the one that had helped this little lady. A small price to pay with a simple gesture of courtesy.

Public Affection

I love to hold hands in public or have each others hands in the others back pocket when we are walking down the street. Then, in some restaurants, it is encouraged to feed each other with your fingers. This is the case with certain exotic foods; for example, it is an Ethiopian tradition.

I think when your significant other holds your hand in public, it is a display of him wanting to let the world know you are his. It means so much.

Kissing

I may be old fashioned, but I’d rather have a peck on the cheek. Save the deep throat passion until we are home. Call me a hypocrite, but I still am the same way in front of my parents.

Business dinners can become taboo if you are too kissy face. You really need to control yourself at these events.

Volunteering

A few years back, I volunteered at a nursing home with a buddy of mine. I met some of the most beautiful people.

Elderly people in homes seem to be forgotten by their families. I don’t know the reasons for this. While I lived in the community I went to visit a couple of people because they touched my heart. There was this one woman who had dementia. She is a piece of work, let me tell you. She was 78 at the time we met, and she acted like a teenager most of the time. I would write letters to her family. Then she asked me to bring in nail polish. She wanted to have her nails painted and shaped so much.

This was such a pleasure for me. You could see that she had been a very beautiful woman in her days. So I went out to buy nail polish in the colors I thought she would like. I ended up speaking to the beautician donating the nail polish and remover to her. She was so happy when I showed up with them!

Hospital Guild Volunteers

The most endearing experience was spending an Easter in a pediatrics ward. I spent the night before making Easter baskets with my girlfriend, who is a doctor. She used to spend her breaks reading and singing to the children.

We also would both volunteer to work at churches on holidays. Helping serve people or cook for the ones that would not have a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner was an experience I treasure.

Holiday Volunteering at Soup Kitchens and Church

The holidays are approaching and you may consider being a server or help cook at a homeless shelter or at your church. If you are willing to do something, this is a good idea. Take some time from your own holiday to help make other people who are less fortunate than you enjoy theirs.

Many people are alone during this season. If you can’t donate your time, then perhaps money for the food.

Donations

Donating doesn’t necessarily mean money. Books you have read, clothes, cars and computers can be donated to charities. I have friends that donated cars to cancer societies (e.g. ACS, the American Cancer Society) and Brain Trauma Services (e.g. BTF, the Brain Trauma Foundation). These are institutions that send people out to patient’s homes.

There are also several agencies that take clothing you want to get rid of. Old bridesmaids dresses can be donated for prom use, for example.

A trusted place to go to for domestic violence, for example, is Catholic Charities. This is a charity organization that focuses on women and the ones with children. These women have ran for their lives from being battered. Many have had their lives threatened, or the lives of their child, with only their clothes on their back. They come from all walks of life.

There is no discrimination when it comes to domestic violence. A female friend of mine who is a college professor had to endure an alcoholic husband who had beaten her for years. One day he threatened her life with a gun. She fled to New York after contacting Catholic Charity’s domestic violence office, and they provided money, shelter and clothes for her.

Toys for Tots

There are families who can not afford toys for their children. This a problem with being practical; I like to donate educational toys rather than Matchbox cars. Leap Frog and Baby Einstein, for example. There are also places you can go to if you have clothes to donate, or if you want to buy a tot some winter appeal. You can donate such little things as a jacket and pants set.

I know kids have more fun playing with simple things like wooden spoons and pots. This is an age old toy. I would rather give them the basics, but parents seen to feel the more expensive the toy, the more they love their children. I, on the other hand, think kids are pretty easy to amuse. Pair that with you wanting to raise them properly, and you will find there are so many possible gifts that are not necessariy expensive. Children need to learn creativity and to use their imagination, especially when they are little. This will expand their horizon more than a huge plastic racing track.

Animal Shelters

And finally, we can look at other life forms than humans. Do you know that at many animal shelters, you can donate food? Shelters often offer free food to citizens with pets. You can also donate money for spaying and nurturing animals.

This may seem misplaced considering poverty and suffering among ourselves, but it is also very important because many older folks have pets and are on limited income. Pets give them companionship, and provide a feeling of being needed. Remember the truth in our society: elderly people are often tossed away by their relatives. Walking their dog is often the only motivation to exercise, and taking care of an animal who stands by them no matter what is often the only motivation to keep on living.

If you are happy and thankful for your life, this is the time to give something to the people who aren’t as fortunate as you. Take a look at the charity organizations around your location. It doesn’t have to be much, and you will feel so much more than just happiness in your love if you do it.

Have you helped others in the past? Have you donated to charity before? Let us know your experiences.