Helping Hand

Why do we even try to help people?? We often assume we can help, but are blinded to our own insufficiencies. Then we think we're right to help, and go on in a superior fashion.

No one asked! Keep your advice to yourself! If someone wants specific help, he will say so. It is not my place to assume I know what's best--Who am I to think I hold the benefit for humanity? What is in my background, my present, my life, my soul that I am so infinitely full of wisdom? What causes my personal perspective to be so desirable to speak? Why must I even open my mouth?

And then, of course, when confronted, "I'm just helping..." Helping whom? Myself?

People may be dumb sometimes, but they are not full imbeciles. If left to oneself, a person will either survive, or die trying. How insulting to speak to him as though he were a child! Or worse, to take him strictly literally, not allowing for human error, and then pointing out his humanly error as soon as he commits it!

What is the point of picking out another's errors? To help him? How?

Matthew 7:3-6

"'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

"'Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.'"

Stop assuming others are wrong. Instead, give others the benefit of the doubt that they did, in fact, have an intelligent thing to say. If we all have been given a brain, it is likely that we all have an intelligence. Therefore, use it for the good of others, and not to bring about personal gain and glory! How foolish it is to puff oneself up, thinking others admire, when instead they laugh and ridicule.

"The people you help should have a right to say 'We don't need you,' 'We don't like how you help us,' or 'Let us help you.'"

--Karina Vargas

"We can be judging by offering to help because we assume we understand another's needs, but we're not listening."

--Karina Vargas

Stop assuming. Listen. Speak sparingly.

Have a wonderful day.

October Thoughts

Happy October!!!

It is now 5 p.m., and I am sitting in my dorm room while I write this. It has been raining all day, the sky is overcast, and my toes are cold. The wind is blowing outside; I see the large tree out our window dropping acorns like little bombs. My roommate is sleeping, and has turned out all the lights in the room except for my desk light. Ahh, Fall is here!

The leaves have been turning colors, and have been falling to the ground. Riding my bicycle has become (more) dangerous because of wet leaves and random bits of bark and acorns.

What is today? It is the second of October--what a day!! Why is this day special? Because I am alive today. It is special because I woke up and I could breathe today. It is special because I was able to bring joy to someone today. It is special because it has been made special.

Isn't that a thought? That this day is special just because it has been made that way? Why do we go through days one at a time? Because each one is special.

People often ask me my favorite time of year, and expect (I don't blame them in the slightest) that I will answer with "Summer!" But I'm not sure that it is. I like summer because summer is hot and gives me an excuse to spend time out-of-doors. But I also like winter because winter is pure and crisp, and when the snow falls like a thick blanket, the moonlight reflects off it at nighttime. I love winter. What about spring? Spring is wet and new; tiny seeds planted begin to take root and grow into flowers. Trees bud and flower, and everything with breath sings because winter is finally over.

This is Fall. Fall is clear, chilling air rushing down my throat; the smell of burning leaves, the colors of scarves, knit hats, and boots. Fall is miniature acorn bombs, and chattering squirrels.

Each season is special to me for its own individual reason. Liking all the seasons does not make any of them "the same as the others", just as liking the majority of people I meet makes each individual "un-special". I have been given the grace, and the gift, to see the Beauty of life, and to cherish it; the least I can do is tell others.

This day has no political, economical, societal, religious or theological significance (as far as I know). This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Have a wonderfully special Ordinary Day!