Joy in Giving
There is joy in giving. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get bummed about life. Sometimes I feel like my life is empty. I feel like nothing I do ever makes a difference — at least not the kind of difference I was trying to make. Usually that difference is geared toward making my own life “better”, getting more money, having a boyfriend or husband, traveling, getting a fun job. Nothings wrong with wanting any of those things, but sometimes I can get obsessed over not having something I want. But then something catastrophic happens and knocks everything into perspective. The recent cyclone and earthquakes in Asia are two such happenings.
Its hard for the mind to comprehend the suddend life-changing horrors these millions of people have recently endured. Every moment of life is precious whether we feel like it is or not. And every opportunity to give something of ourselves to life, to the whole, to humanity, the planet, an individual… that oppotunity is precious.
It breaks our hearts to see others in distress, but we find some joy in being able to help in ways however large or small.
Donating small amounts of money through relief groups is one way to help. We must never ever underestimate the power that individuals have by joining their small contribution with many other individuals. This is how true change happens — the change of the people, by the people and for the people.
One favored channel of giving that I have is through the Rainbow World Fund (RWF) at www.rainbowfund.org. There are a couple of reasons why RWF got my attention — one reason is that it is coming from LesBiGayTrOther brothers and sister. It’s energizing and spiritually cleansing to give for the sake of others. Many sectarian and cultural groups have organized giving and relief organizations and it’s exciting that the gay family can do the same.
A second reason I’m joyful about RWF is that 100% of my contribution goes to help those most in need. Can’t beat that.
