Many of you, like myself, dream of making a serious commitment to a humanitarian project someday: devoting a few months or maybe even a few years of your lives helping people in need, participating in some conservation project or even protecting endangered species. All these thoughts will need a lot of compromising and probably mean that we’ll have to step out of our comfort zone and embark on a new journey in life – It is not easy to achieve this goal in mind, that’s why we keep putting it off. But do we need to engage in this kind of a long term project to make a difference? Have you ever wondered?
I’m sad by the recent ecological disasters happening around Asia and my heart goes out to these people. My initial reaction was donating a small sum of money, a measly $100 that I’ve put into the donation box placed at my company lobby – I was glad that I have done my part. The topic of donation came up during lunch yesterday – Mark told me that he went to the China Embassy on Monday to make a donation of $1000. He also quoted that he saw many others donating big sum of money ranging from $6000 to $20000. How generous, I thought! When asked how much I have contributed; I was almost embarrassed to answer. I know I didn’t do enough!
Last night, I started to question my conscience – I would spend few thousands on a single diving trip lasting a week or two but why wouldn’t I donate that amount to help others in need? Desperately in need! The victims are homeless and starving, they’re left without anything. I feel sad when I read the newspapers, I cry when I watch the news, I feel for them but how am I helping them? Is chasing my dreams far more important than feeding them, proving a shelter for them? I struggled! Eventually, I wrote a cheque and sent it to the Red Cross this morning. I know that I might not be able to go on a big trip this year-end and will have to put on hold some of my dreams till later. But at this very moment, I’ve found a new source of happiness in helping others. Finally, I know that I have done my part. What a privilege to be able to!
“No one has ever become poor by giving” – Anne Frank
Tags: Feelings
