A Million Different Ways

"What you do makes a difference, and

you have to decide what kind of difference

you want to make."

Jane Goodall

  

In our community, acts of kindness are being prepared as winter draws near.  There is a group entitled WARM HEARTS who are making hats, gloves, and scarves out of yarn to be donated to local shelters.  (Those who do not knit or crochet are using looms or simply donating yarn for others to use.) There are additional individuals who are keeping bags in their cars with warm socks, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, energy bars, bottle of water, and whatever else they choose to give.  Then when they happen by someone in need, they can simply give them one of the bags from the car.

We are consistently given the opportunity to touch the lives of others.   When we make a gesture of kindness, the quality of life increases for all involved; but a small negative action on our part can deeply harm the mind of the other.  

Thomas Moore, author of A RELIGION OF ONE'S OWN,  mentions the difference in the depth of compassion between our kindness to friends and gestures to people who are out of our comfort zone.  It is somewhat easier to reach out to a neighbor in need than it is to assist an unknown homeless person.  

Let us each determine a way to make a difference  in the lives of others.  Give away unused or outgrown coats. Donate new jackets and hats to a local shelter.  Make up little baggies with small bottles of shampoo and lotion.   Come on, there are a million different ways!