Tuesday; October 16

Most of us are interested in making a difference.  The good people I know actively look for and take part in doing good deeds for those around them.  While we like making a difference, there are times when it can be discouraging.  To help us from becoming disheartened here are a few simple suggestions:
1)  Remember that what we are doing is for the good of others, not for the publicity we receive.  Even though we don’t do good to be praised by men, it is nice to have our efforts noticed and recognized.  A good way to avoid disappointment is to make the decision before we get started not to seek or expect publicity.
2)  Remember that what we are doing is for the good of others, not for the thanks we receive.  This may sound similar to the first point, but I believe that this is an even more likely trap.  Some people might not know how to say “thank you” and others may not have the social skills to express their appreciation.  Let’s just offer our help whether we receive their gratitude or not.
3)  Don’t count the number of participants.  When we try to help others, it is tempting to gauge our success by the number of people we reach.  The truth of the matter is that even if we only touch one person, we have done what we set out to do.
4)  Don’t tally the amount of money spent.  Outreach and service is the truest “non-profit” effort.  If we are worried about how much money it will take or if it really is worth our financial investment then it will probably cost too much for the results we get.  Only when we are willing to “lose money on the deal” will we be able to enjoy it for what it really is – our gift to them.
          I hope everyone has a heart of service.  Thank you for what you do and remember that giving and service is a focus on others, not on ourselves.
Think About It!

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