Everyone feels down from time to time. In the current economic climate, it seems people have more reasons than ever to be depressed. Nearly everyone reading this post undoubtedly knows someone personally who has lost a job within the last year. We've seen comments in our blog from some of those people. Even if you haven't lost your job, you may well be worried about that possibility. If you're self-employed, as we are, chances are you've seen a downturn in your income in recent months. Most of us have been personally impacted by the shrinking value of our retirement nest eggs. We've all heard the jokes like "my 401K just turned into a 201K." All of the bad news and anxiety is enough to depress anyone. Is there anything we can do to pull ourselves out of this blue funk?
As anxious or depressed as you may feel about your own situation, there's always someone in the world--a lot of them--who are far worse off than you. That fact alone probably does little, if anything, to make you feel better about your own lot in life. But you may be surprised at how much doing something to help those less fortunate than yourself could do to help you feel better about your lot in life.
For example, some of you may have noticed the PS on one of Aaron Bartell's recent comments on this blog: "I am shaving hair on my body. Find out why at http://firstgiving.com/aaronbartell." Aaron is running in a half marathon to raise money via sponsorships to feed starving children through World Vision. Leave it to Aaron to come up with a twist on the normal "sponsor me for charity" pledge. He has agreed to publicly (via YouTube) shave various parts of his body when the value of his sponsorships reaches various levels. As of this writing, he's more than half way to the first level when we all get to see him shave his legs. If he makes it to his goal of $10,000 in sponsorships, his 4-year-old son will get a chance to shave Aaron's head into any style he wants. We're pulling for Aaron to make that level just to see what Ethan comes up with!
Aaron is doing the sponsored run to raise money to feed hungry children, but we suspect he will find, if he hasn't already, that a surprisingly nice side benefit of doing this is a great positive feeling. First of all, to do something for someone else, you must first be aware that someone else has problems bigger than your own. That perspective alone helps make you feel better. In addition, doing something concrete to help someone in need tends to make you feel good.
Donating money is a great way to help those less fortunate. Performing some activity to help may be even better. Aaron is giving not only money but his time and substantial energy--not to mention his hair--to help those children. In return, we're sure he'll receive a great deal of satisfaction--much more than if he'd simply written a check to World Vision--because he's actively involved.
Those of you who are unemployed at the moment probably feel you can't spare any money right now, no matter how good the cause. But if you're in this position, one thing you may have is time and energy--maybe not enough energy to run a half marathon like Aaron. But if you look around, you'll find many organizations that can use your time. Some ideas? Become actively involved in a leadership role in your local i user group. We don't know of any who aren't looking for more people to help out. No user group in your area? Why not create one? What a great way to build contacts with i shops nearby. As a side benefit, maybe you'll even find one that has an opening for you. How about teaching computer literacy classes for the elderly?
Of course, your volunteer work doesn't need to be related to your real work. This week, we spent our first day on a building site with Habitat for Humanity. The organization is building a house about a mile from ours. What a great day we had and, with the exception of more than a few aching muscles, we're feeling much better about life in general than we did before. We're looking forward to spending more days on the site in the next few weeks.
Susan recently read Bill Clinton's book, "Giving," in which he describes many innovative ways that different individuals and organizations are helping those who are less fortunate. Regardless of your political leanings, it's a great book if you're wondering what cause or organization to support with your time and money or if you just want a bit of inspiration. In the final chapter Clinton discusses why one should consider giving. There is, of course, much consideration of what a different place the world could be if more people donated more time and money to those less fortunate.
But the reason that struck us as perhaps the best is really a selfish one, because giving makes the giver happier. To quote the book: "Who's happier? The uniters or the dividers? The builders or the breakers? The givers or the takers? I think you know the answer. There's a whole world that needs you, down the street or across the ocean. Give."
GREAT comments Jon and Susan...they are SO true!
Posted by: Jeff Skistad | July 07, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Jon and Susan, You have hit the nail on the head ... again. Thanks!
Posted by: Mary Kern | July 10, 2009 at 07:20 AM
Jon and Susan, thanks for mentioning the cause I am raising money for. You are right in that there is quite a lot to gain from getting involved - life just has more purpose when you step out of your personal bubble and reach out to help another.
It's fun to hear you are also pursuing like things with Habitat for Humanity. I want to also help with one of those in the future as they are present in the town I live (Mankato, MN). They may take a hammer away from me after they see my "lighting" approach (never strike in the same place twice :-)
Thanks to anyone who chooses to give. Every $10 makes a difference.
Posted by: Aaron Bartell | July 11, 2009 at 05:59 PM