Contribute in your own, small Way - it does make a Difference!

Contribute in your own, small Way – it does make a Difference! – 6 Oct 15

Post author:Balendu
Post published:06/10/2015
Post category:Psychology
Post comments:0 Comments

I yesterday told you about a guest at the Ashram who felt guilty that she rather wanted to relax on the beach than volunteer at a charity during her free time. People like her, those who really want to help others and have a soft heart, often have another problem: they feel very bad when they see the state of this earth.

Anybody who is the least bit sensitive can probably understand this feeling to a certain extent: you just need to take a look into current newspapers and you will read reports of humans killing each other around the world, destroying this planet, making other living beings suffer. TV and radio news will give you the feeling that the world is at the border of the apocalypse!

The wars in Syria and the Middle East where people starve, are tortured or flee their countries, creating a refugee crisis which makes right-wing extremists stronger. Religions all over the world fighting each other, people getting killed in temples or by the bombs of terrorists. Terrorist groups gaining strength, kidnapping girls or brainwashing young adults. Innocent people, including doctors, nurses and other helpers murdered. Whole acres of forests burning, teenagers shooting guns in schools or theatres, drug lords making whole cities dangerous. Finally, huge companies and of course governments that only follow their own interests.

This is what you see, hear and get to know – it is no wonder that some people get depressed when they consider the situation of this world! It’s no wonder you feel like there is too much misery on this world for your actions to make a difference.

But what does it help if you get a depression due to this? Does it help anybody if you lie in your bed and cry? If you don’t go out anymore because you feel the world is evil? The answer is no! In fact, you add to the world’s misery by making your friends and family worry about you, too!

Get up, shake off those emotions and make your own small world happy. Start with yourself and make sure that you are happy. Next, help others. Whatever problem it is that is closest to your heart, try to help. If it is the homeless or the refugees, you can surely find a shelter in your town where you can volunteer. If it is inhuman practices in Chinese factories, make sure to buy your products and clothes from responsible companies that are not involved in this! Donate your money and time wherever you feel you can, should and it is needed. Show your support via social media, signing petitions and telling your surroundings about it.

You are not able to stop whole wars. You are not able to single-handedly fix problems of the whole planet! You are however able to make a change in your own world. It may be on a small scale if you look at the big picture, only a little light in what seems to be darkness. You are however not the only little light and that’s how together we can shine. In hope for a better future.

Do it – it does make a difference!