Giving: Do you live it?
by: Mahella (T.M.), CNHC, Herbalist, Massage & Energy Therapist
June, 2012
I wanted to post a couple of links to organizations I support and would encourage others to, and although I will do that, I also want to say a word about giving and charitable organizations.
I'm not saying that giving to any good organization or cause is wrong, on the contrary, it's a great thing. But I wonder how many of us give to some group and assume that they will do the good works we're paying them for and never stop to help anyone ourselves? It's fine to give to groups that do good things, but we can't give them all of our responsibility. We can't rely completely on some larger organization, any more than we can on our government. Not only because there can be corruption and our funds may not go where we intended them, that's something to consider. But also because giving a handout now and then is not giving of ourselves to the full extent (for most of us).
How many of the same people who make large donations to the popular charities, know very little about them? How many of those people, will pass an elderly person or homeless person, a wounded animal or just an average person in need of assistance and not give them a second look? I'm sorry to say many, if not most of them.
Giving and helping others should be a way of life, not a check you put in the mail. It should come naturally everyday, without thought; it comes from the heart.
There are so many ways you can touch lives everyday, the smallest actions can have the biggest effect sometimes.
Here are some ideas:
For people:
-Give someone a smile.
-Lend a hand when you see someone struggling (in a store or wherever they may be - no matter their age).
-Listen with your heart.
-Give something to the homeless you see, rather it's food or money (food might be safer).
-Bring food or supplies or just your company to an invalid or elderly neighbor now and then.
-Donate your time to help someone in your neighborhood or tribe.
-Get involved when you see injustice, stand up for what you know is right.
-Give to those in need that are right in front of you, they're everywhere, don't wait for an organization to be formed to donate time, goods or money.
-Visit the sick (especially those locked in nursing homes).
-Share what knowledge you may have with others.
-Spread the word about the needs of individuals or tribes you know of.
-Help to bring causes you really believe in to the attention of the world.
For animals and nature:
-Share whatever you have as often as possible. If you have healthy food scraps, put them out for the little ones. If you don't, or if you live in a city, take a day out of every month and drive out into nature and leave a gift like that. If you don't have food scraps you can go to a store and buy something like a bag of wild bird seed (about $5) and scatter that all around as an offering. It would feed birds and little critters like squirrels, prairie dogs, bunnies, etc..
-If you see a stray animal, feed it or take it in and do what you can for it. If you can't do either, don't call the humane society, but call a safe "cruelty/euthanasia free" rescue group in your area.
-Do what you can for injured animals, by helping them or calling someone who can.
-Safely remove animals from the road that have been killed, if possible.
-Don't litter or harm plant life when you can help it. Tread with respect.
-Plant trees and herbs where you can, even in the wild.
-Nurture young plants you may find.
-Be sure you buy products that say "cruelty free - not tested on animals"!
-Stop using harmful pesticides, chemicals and other synthetics whenever possible.
-Be kind, patient and thoughtful; all living creatures, no matter how small, have feelings and wisdom. And all that have passed still understand and deserve respect.
-Donate your time to a cruelty free rescue shelter or sanctuary.
-Remember to always ask permission before taking from Mother Earth; and if possible leave an offering in return.
There are hundreds of other ways you can help, these are just a few simple examples.
Just remember, real change is brought about by individuals; everyone doing their share, every day, not by putting our responsibilities on the shoulders of others while we ignore our surroundings.
When you do decide to support an organization, be sure you've looked into it and know as much about it as possible, for your own sake. Make sure you truly believe in it, and then spread the word!
Share this list or make your own list....and then live it!
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Without further ado, here are a few organizations (and those like them) I support when I can and would like to share:
Mercy For Animals - http://www.mercyforanimals.org/
Protect All Wildlife - https://twitter.com/Protect_Wldlife
American Indian Movement - www.aimovement.org/
Sacred Land Film Project - http://www.sacredland.org/
Wolf Mountain Santuary - www.wolfmountain.com/
Dreamcatcher Ranch (CA.) - (They rescue and care for wild horses, burros and other animals, for some reason I can't find their website, but they've been around quite a while and do great work!)
Saving America's Mustangs - www.savingamericasmustangs.org/
Seventh Generation Fund - http://www.7genfund.org/
Native American Rights Fund - http://www.narf.org/index.html
P.S.
There are many others which I will try to list as soon as I can find all the links!
