When You Help Others, You End Up Helping Yourself

The concept when you help others, you end up helping yourself, has popped up lately in different ways. I listen for signs as to what is something needed to write about in my articles.

First, my mom and dad gave me a book for Christmas by Joyce Meyer, called, 20 Ways To Make Every Day Better.

One of the first things she talks about, as I am reading it this week is, “when you decide to help others, you’re not only going to improve their lives, but you’re also going to improve your own.”

For example, I was talking with a friend this week and asked, “What she’s done that works for her, while living within a pandemic, to help herself?”

What she said was, being of service. To help others.

That is what has been of comfort to her, as she has navigated all the challenges that we have all faced during this unprecedented last year.

Joyce Meyers also said in her book, “When you take your focus off of self, and begin looking for ways to help and serve others, you will be amazed at how much better each day will be. Deciding to help others is more than a good idea; it is one of the biggest secrets to enjoying every day of your life.”

She went on to say, “When “others” becomes your first thought, joy will be your new reality.”

Here are her suggestions for putting “Decide to Help Others” into practice:

Before you act, take a little time to simply observe those around you. What are their needs? Who can you help? How can you be most effective?
Buy a pack of inspirational or encouraging cards, or motivational stationery, and leave notes for friends, family, and co-workers.
Call someone today that you haven’t talked to in a while and tell them you were thinking about them and how much you appreciate them.
Set a goal to make at least three people smile today by giving them a sincere compliment.

As a result of when you help others, you feel happier and more satisfied, don’t you?

During this time of living in a pandemic, where going out in person to volunteer, is not the safest or best decision, what else can you do?

Send me a comment with what you have found works for you. I’d love to hear about it.

Here are things I found online that another suggested you can do to help others, during this pandemic:

Give to your local food bank.
Find a local blood bank and give blood it you are able.
Adopt a pet.
Check in with neighbors and loved ones, to see if there is something you can do for them.
Set up regular phone or zoom calls, with others.
If you do not have any neighbors that may need you to run an errand for them, check with your pastor or rabbi to see if they know of anyone who may need help.
Offer to help people you know who are essential workers. Reach out to them often.
Be kind to everyone you meet out in your life. Especially the grocery store workers and retail clerks.
Buy some meals each month at a local restaurant. Take out is available at most of them.
Buy gift cards from Target or other stores that have food and other helpful items, to pass out to the homeless people you see standing on the corner.

What else can you think of?

There are things you can do that would not require you to be out in person.

Finally, my hope is by reading my blogs each week, you will be inspired and have ideas to carry out into your life that will help you create a life you love.

As you read my articles often, you are getting to know me and what I care about. I ask every night on the way to sleep, “What do you want me to know God? Help me to hear and understand and then act.”

This has been serving me well for several years.

Lastly, go out into your life with the question, “How can I help others today?”

I guarantee you will be helping yourself as you continue to make this a daily practice.

With love and appreciation,

Connie

Here’s a link to a great site with helpful thoughts about this topic:

https://bit.ly/2MWjCak

PS. Happy 89th birthday to my beautiful mom, Mary! Happy 70th wedding Anniversary, on February 11th, to my beautiful parents! 70 years?!! Wow!~