Assisting People in Your Community
Step in to help when you see a neighbor in trouble. An important part of loving your neighbor is being there for them in difficult times. If you witness them in distress, always make an effort to help. Avoid the temptation to stay out of the situation to save yourself trouble. This could apply to a minor situation, such as seeing a neighbor struggling to open a door and going over to help them. This could also apply to a more serious scenario, like witnessing someone in threatening altercation and intervening to help them.
Help elderly neighbors with day-to-day tasks whenever you can. Show compassion for older people in your community by offering to help them run errands, get around, or fix things around the house. Give your phone number to an elderly neighbor who lives on their own so that they can contact you if they are in need. Offer to spend time with any older neighbors who may be lonely to help raise their spirits. Offer lifts to older neighbors who may have difficulty getting around on their own. Be kind to elderly people who you don't know as well by helping them cross the street or giving them your seat on a bus.
Offer to help neighbors with chores or home projects. A good way to be kind to your neighbor is to offer them your time and service. If someone who lives close by is undertaking a labor intensive project on their own, ask them if you can be of any assistance. This will show moral support and make their work easier if they accept your help. For example, you can offer to help your neighbor build and finish their backyard deck or prune a large tree.
Support small businesses in your community. Help to keep local shops, restaurants, markets, and cafes alive by giving them your business whenever you can. Instead of frequenting large chain stores and eateries, spend your money at local establishments. This will help your neighbor and foster a sense if community. For instance, buy locally sourced fruits and vegetables from a farmer’s market instead of a large grocery chain. Eat meals at local, family-owned restaurants instead of fast food chains.
Donating to the Less Fortunate
Donate money to a reputable charity that you care about. Research charities that interest you online and choose one with a good reputation. Once you are confident that the organization is a legitimate non-profit group, contact them to inquire about donation methods. Keep a record of your donation which you can use for tax purposes. Avoid donating cash, which can easily get lost, stolen, or misplaced. Submit a check or make a credit car payment instead, if possible. Do not donate to any charities that seem relatively unknown, or that have negative online feedback. Always get detailed information about the charities you donate to, such as its full name, address, telephone number, and the name of its top representatives.
Volunteer at a local charity organization in your spare time. Contact a local non-profit organization that does charity work you feel passionate about and ask if they are currently looking for volunteers. Tell them your availability to see if you can assist them when they need help. Make arrangements to fill out an application form online or in person to apply to be a volunteer. Soup kitchens and animal shelters, for instance, rely heavily on volunteer support. To search for local charity organizations in the U.S., visit http://www.bestlocalcharities.org/find/.
Donate non-perishable food items to a food bank to feed the hungry. Bring canned goods, rice, pasta, cooking oils, cereal, and other non-perishable items to a local food bank. Be sure to check the labels to avoid donating anything that is past the expiration date. Try to donate nutritious foods as opposed to junk food like chips or candy. Do not donate any food with damaged packaging or items that are not labelled. To find a local food bank in the U.S., search by zip code or state at http://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank/.
Show generosity and respect to homeless people. The neighbors who most need are kindness are those without homes of their own. When you come across homeless people, make an effort to smile, greet them warmly, and offer then assistance whenever you can. A few dollars, a meal, or some warm garments in the winter are small gestures that can make a big difference to someone in need. You can also help by donating to local shelters or soup kitchens that aid homeless people throughout the year. Kindness and respect can be important in boosting the self-esteem and morale of neighbors struggling with homelessness.
Speaking Kindly and Avoiding Conflict
Offer compliments and kind words to others to boost their spirits. Make an effort to say something nice to friends, family, acquaintances, and co-workers on a regular basis. This will make them feel good about themselves and spread positivity. They will likely spread kindness to others in turn. For instance, you could compliment your colleague on their thoughtful suggestions in a staff meeting or praise their excellent organizational skills. Pay attention to what the other person likes. Ask questions and try to learn more about them. Do not talk only about yourself, listen to them and do things accordingly.
Aim to give helpful advice instead of criticism to avoid negativity. Complaining about someone’s behaviour or choices will likely cause them to feel hurt or bad about themselves. Instead, try to remedy a bad situation by presenting an alternative approach to something they have done. Focus on the positive possibilities of a new approach and avoid criticizing what you feel they did wrong. For instance, if your neighbor is spraying chemical pesticides outdoors that are causing you headaches, suggest that they try an organic pesticide for the same effect. Offer to help them with the alternative approach to see if the results will be better.
Offer support and advice to neighbors during tough times. When a friend, family member, or colleague is going through a difficult experience, help them by listening. Be patient and supportive by asking them about their problems and feelings. Listen to them without interrupting and reassure them that you are there for them and that things will get better. Say something like, “I am here for you whenever you need someone to listen and I will help you however I can.” If they show signs of suffering from depression, such as lethargy, social withdrawal, or feelings of hopelessness, suggest that they see a mental health professional and offer to help them make an appointment.
Handle conflicts respectfully by looking for the root of the problem. Disagreements can get heated if the parties involved feel like they're being treated unfairly. Keep an open mind and try to look at such situations analytically to uncover what is actually causing tension. In some cases, superficial arguments may be masking a larger problem that should be addressed and resolved. You can delve deeper by asking questions such as, "Have I done anything to upset you beyond this argument?" For instance, a friend's anger about you cancelling your supper plans with them may be rooted in their fear that you are not invested in the friendship. By isolating the real problem, you can deal with it head on in a way that benefits all parties involved.
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