Blogocentric Formulations

Altruism

EDIT: updated to correct the date

"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS"  | May 15

Prompt ▼

Write about a time when you or someone you know acted selflessly. What was the motivation and what were the results?

My wife and I set aside a percentage of our income for charitable donations every year. We don't have anything particular in mind at the beginning of the year, but rather just wait to see what we feel pulled to help contribute to throughout the year. Sometimes it's a mission trip someone we know is going on. Sometimes it's a friend or acquaintance who is experiencing financial hardship. Sometimes it's random gifts to show appreciation for the people in our lives who we feel could use a pick-me-up or a little encouragement.

The general motivation for this giving is to generally share some of the resources and finances that we've been blessed with, and it's a practice that we try to observe regardless of how fortunate or strained our finances are during any particular year. After all, a percentage of your income works whether you make a bunch of money or just a little. Whether you want to call it karma, good vibes, the Christian thing to do, paying it forward, or just good old-fashioned altruism, we really try to make sure we're able to bless as many people as possible each year.

The results have been incredible. Not only does it feel really good to be able to do something nice for other people, but it's encouraged other people to do the same when they're in a position to do so. The world is such a negative place these days, with so many people fighting and arguing and bringing out the worst in each other, it's a really nice change of pace to promote some good in the world, and some connection to other people.