Do you contribute in life?
Give something of yourself back?
If so, in what way?
Normally the term contribution is viewed as a financial offering. Giving money by the masses to improve situations, for a cause or helping others out.
Donors feel good because it’s an easy way to assist. Popping a coin or two into a collection box or donating online to an appeal takes barely a minute.
True, that these things make a world of difference. But what if the difference to that same world was you and how you contribute?
And, more strikingly, what if you could truly contribute to a better world that doesn’t cost you a penny but is worth its weight in gold to other people?
Would you then contribute more? Leave a legacy like the best of them?
“The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live”. Ethel Percy Andrus
It is to this calling that Mother Teresa dedicated her life among the slums of Calcutta.
From 1950 until her death in 1997, she tirelessly worked touching the lives of those in the poorest of conditions in one of the most poverty stricken cities around the globe.
Setting up the ‘Missionaries of Charity‘, she and her fellow nuns, plus a team of countless volunteers, raised money for decades to provide the barest of necessities for the poor, sick and downtrodden.
Her contribution has left a legacy, one so strong that I am sharing it with you here. This is the power of true contribution. One from the self, from the heart.
Your contribution need not be so sacrificial. Nor must you neccessarily travel the world to some far flung land to get your hands dirty.
Though if you do choose this option, there is many a charity who would welcome your efforts, as willing hands are always in short supply.
Just ask Arvind himself, a true contributor at every level if there is one. He is a fundraiser for the Nirvana School in Pondicherry, India, and ran the 2009 London Marathon in aid of WellChild, a national charity for sick children as well as being an active connector of people, a sharer of his spirit and support, and a man who offers only empowering words when he speaks.
So how can you be an authentic contributor? What is it that you can give?
1. Give Neighbourly
Life is best from the grass roots up. From community and the place we live. Our neighbourhood. Commence your work there. In and among your own. Your street, road or apartment block first of all.
In modern 21st Century life we are often accused of not knowing our neighbours. Having no idea of who lives across the street at No.30 or never seeing the young couple next door. Buck that trend. Be the one who beats the old perception that nobody cares.
Start simply with the odd, “Hello”, to everyone you meet in your street or locale. Show a friendly smile. Shake hands. Offer to help someone carry their bags. If a chat ensues, don’t shy away from it. Get stuck in.
Talk is good, building rapport is gigantic.
Get to know others and let everyone know you care. Work out when neighbours come home from their jobs or duties and arrange to be outside so you can introduce yourself properly with a, “Hi”, and strike up a conversation. A good neighbourhood has a good neighbour at its heart. Why not strive to make that you?
2. Give Time
The gift of time is a huge one. Chiefly due to the fact that it costs nothing but matters so very much. Just ask a child you’ve spent 30 mins playing with. Or an elderly relative who misses her family. Time given is multiplied ten fold in the receivers heart. Your time, their utter joy and happiness.
Promise yourself to offer time to others nearby. Getting milk for old Mrs Worrall. Chatting with Bert as he comes back from buying his paper.
Thirty minutes now and again running errands or a few hours every year for the scout jumble sale won’t kill you. It will be noticed and appreciated more than you know by others both young and old. The ones whose lives are part of yours.
3. Give a Hand
Go for it. Get involved. Communities often have community schemes.
From picking up litter every month or so to giving lifts to the disabled and infirm, there is much you can do for virtually no outlay. Painting, gardening, youth club work, church (or mosque or synagogue or any place of worship), groups like coffee mornings or outreach work and sports clubs all need a helping hand now and again.
4. Give of Yourself
Everyone has something to offer. From skills to a sense of humour. A desire to get involved or the ability to be a people person. Or just being a good, hard worker.
What’s yours?
What are you good at?
What is ‘natural’ for you?
This is exactly what the world needs and, more significantly, the world on your doorstep. Your place and space on the planet. Inject some of yourself into that area. Contribute that self to the greater good. Be it in Bombay or Birmingham.
5. Give Freely
True contribution does not seek reward as it is reward itself. It isn’t ego based or possession driven yearning for awards and recognition or monetary payment for services rendered. It asks nothing for itself being given freely from the heart.
Feel free to be an instrument of assistance but do so without charge of cost nor expectation of return.
Whatever you do, how ever you give, make that contribution heartfelt. Do it from a place of love for all. Let your hands be genuine in their toil and your words encouraging in their sound. Give from the inside out and welcome the outside in.
No need to open your wallet as opening your heart and sharing that willingly will make a rich contribution that money could never buy.
Honest efforts designed to unite communities by honest minded souls will always pay off.
And remember the mantra….one person may not change the world, but they may change the world for one person. It only takes one for the ripples to spread. Be that person.
It’s time to contribute from the heart and not just the pocket.
Hi Arvind,
When we become involved with more than money there are no thoughts of us and them. The idea of being separate from others disappears. That’s the gift that I receive from doing hands on stuff. And it doesn’t get any better than that!
Thanks Tess on behalf of John for your kind words:-)
Giving up the idea that we are separate from others is probably the best gift we can give ourselves as we seeks a path of contribution.
Heartfelt advice, John. And some wonderful and doable ways to give back. I find that it is my time that I can most give of. One on one time with someone who needs me, my help and my companionship. That is what I give and it seems to make a world of difference to that person. I think it’s important to look around us at those closest to us or those strangers we share the world with and give them some simple kindness. As you say, maybe you will change one person’s life today. Thanks for reminding me, and thank you Arvind for continuing with inspiring posts.
Thank you Katie for your contibution of kind words and your time to do so.
Whilst our time is valuable it is never so valuable than in how we use it to benefit others.Then it is priceless.
My Mom lives in a nursing home, and I am so appreciative of those who give of themselves to brighten the days of the elderly with special activities and visits. In the past I’ve given of myself as part of group efforts where we all go work in a soup kitchen, build a house, etc. In the future I’ll be doing more one-on-one work . . . helping with literacy work, sitting with a lonely older person, etc.
Jean, my personal thanks too for your contribution.
The work so many unsung heroes do like in nursing homes and soup kitchens as you have highlighted needs bringing to people’s attentions. Then we may begin to balance life and stop viewing pleasure givers like film and sport stars as heroes when the real ones exist everyday, everywhere, merely caring for others and getting on with their job with utter love and without fuss.
May I genuinely thank you for reminding us all of this.
My one little contribution yesterday was to say to fighting neighbors, (each of them), that I like them both. And it’s true. And I am not going to take sides. Peace.
A wise approach. Simply acting in peace and with lovingness causes it to spread. You are contributing from the heart right in your backyard and leading by example. A wonderful gesture.
Giving with heart is what I call inspired giving. I am a true believer that people need inspiration and not charity. When we give from the heart, we empower, we validate and we connect with others.
I love this line: Time given is multiplied ten fold in the receivers heart. It is so true. Some people don’t realize that spending half an hour with someone who’s lonely can make their week.
In the past I volunteered my time for an immigration organization here in Vancouver and prepared taxes for senior citizens. The look on people’s face is the best reward on the planet.
Thank you John for this heartfelt message.
Manal. my gratitude for your thoughts and kind comments.
Your actions as a volunteer prove you to be a true contributor from the heart the power of which is the return gift you received from the look on their faces. This instantly shows how important those contributions are to those that benefit from them. Bless you for being a giver with love.
Great guest post. Your heart opens when you contribute your time and energy to a person, organization, or cause. I have given money (basic memberships) to many environmental organizations and you are right, there is not a strong sense of contribution when you send off a check. I volunteered for several years at Muir Woods Nursery. Working with plants and digging my hands into dirt was very grounding (no pun intended 🙂 For the past year, I have volunteered with a great organization called Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, where we deliver holiday meals and visit with elders. It can be a bit hard as well to sit with elders who may be in a lot of pain or not used to having people around. You learn to be more in the moment and be okay with everything that is going on.
Wendy, my thanks for your support and for reading the post.
You contribution is vital as it is for and with the elderly who often seem neglected or unsupported so you are divine in your giving of yourself to them. It is a contribution of the deepest kind to be with those less fortunate or in sufferance in some way but you know that their hearts are full from your compassion and care. I admire you for this.
In many ways, it’s easier to give money, and then just move on. The real gift requires some giving of yourself. And yet, as you’ve described, it’s easy to do, it just requires some commitment. I love the way you’ve spelt this out.
Much appreciated Claire. You rightly say that giving money is easier but it’s what you give of yourself which is the true richness. Nobody will the poorer for that.
I like the number 5, give freely. That is important, many times, people expect something in return. Volunteering time is one of the way we like to help, and you can give time, even when you are broke and can’t offer monetary help.
Zengirl, a salient point that people tend to give to get something back in return. Yes we can give freely because it is from ourselves and sometimes those who have nothing are the greatest and most active contributors. Thank you for your personal offering with these comments.
John and Arvind –
A very timely reminder of the need to contribute authentically. I try to use my gifts to help others as authentically as I can and keep learning how to do this. I admire you both for sharing this important topic.
Thanks
Phil
Phil bless you for your kindness in your words and especially deeds that you contribute. Keep that light shining my friend.
Phil, ditto:-)
I can’t add anything more to what John has already said – yes, keep that light shining brightly:-)
Excellent closing words John. I really liked where you’re coming from on this. When you simplify things, it is so easy to add value and contribute. It’s so easy to just write a check to an organization, which is great but it keeps you so disconnected with what it really means, vicerally to contribute. People get so caught up in it being a big deal that they never actually do it. But it’s not a big deal. Give a smile. One of the best things you can do is give a smile to someone who clearly needs it. Often they get a frown in return for a frown but if you start giving smiles when you get frowns, an amazing rippling will start to happen. Their frowns turn to smiles and then they do the same. Before long, the whole city is smiling. I think you, Arvind and so many of the people interested in what we all are interested in, are doing their part to contribute. Well done. It’s inspiring. Let’s continue it!
One thing I’ve started to do in San Francisco is if I am walking home from the office and realize I still have a piece of fruit or nuts left from my lunch, I will give it to someone asking for help on the street. They are so surprised and so happy.
To adding value,
Scott
Scott bless you for your warm sentiments. Your contribution on the streets in San Fransisco is a real live one touching people at their most need. What is a piece of fruit to us could be a life saving meal to another. So not only do you change a life by your actions that surprises people but you save them to. Your heart is well intentioned and beating bright my friend.
“Do it from a place of love for all. Let your hands be genuine in their toil and your words encouraging in their sound. Give from the inside out and welcome the outside in.”
What beautiful words John. When we give, we receive. Sometimes the challenge is to accept who we are, rather than modeling ourselves on others. We don’t all have to give in the same way. It’s OK to be who we are and do the things which bring us joy while we give.
And I love your suggestion to start with neighbors. I’ve written about this before myself. It starts with getting out in your garden and street, walking, meeting people, and talking. It’s amazing how many people I get to talk to when I’m gardening.
Alison, thank you so very much.
Gardening is a superb place to begin as the love you give is beautifully returned by nature which then draws people to you to open up conversation. Your neighbourhood is YOUR world so being out there talking and meeting others changes that world in every way.
Keep up the caring and always know that you too are blossoming like a flower with the love you provide!
What a wonderful post, John. And some really great comments, too, I might add. Somebody once said, “Charity is twice blessed – it blesses the one who gives and the one who receives.
Cheryl I love your quote, I echo its beauty and foresight. Charitable work is love evident in a person’s actions and care for others. Many blessings for reminding us all.