A Helping Hand

"Most of us just care about money making. Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction.....What ever happened to the values of humanity? Whatever happened to the fairness and equality? Instead of spreading love, we spreading animosity. Lack of understanding leading us away from unity."

Black-eyed Peas: Where's the love.

There are many problems in the world these days, always has been. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, addictions etc etc. So many times it seems overwhelming as to how many things are wrong about our beloved planet, its seemingly impossible to know how to help. Here we are not doing a charity, or claiming to know any answers to so many problems.

We believe that just simply starting to change our own attitudes towards certain social stigmas (such as looking down at drug addicts or homeless people) can mean the world. Maybe if we only change ourselves to be more loving and accepting won't do any drastic change, but over the years we teach our children, maybe some friends also agree and soon enough things can change, for the better.

How can we help?

There are so many countless ways to help others in need. It's strange to me that many people automatically think of helping as giving money. To me this is not so, although surely money is a great tool that can aid others. Money is also a double edged sword. Giving cash to someone addicted to drugs will likely only aid their addiction, it seems to do little to make that persons life better.

We all want to be loved, even if it doesn't show or we don't even realize it. Time and time again I find conversation is one of the best tools we as humans have to make a change. Our voice is so amazing, a few words can make the difference between suicide and a smile. Next time we are on the street and we see someone crying, let's try sitting next to them and listen to them. If they wish perhaps they will share and would welcome the conversation. It's usually important not to pry and get nosy, but more often than not people who are upset just enjoy someone to share with (psychologists and the like make good $ for this!)

Here in Taiwan the recent reccesion has taken its toll on many families who now are chosing between food or gas. Taking someone out for dinner, or inviting someone in may also raise spirits of people. Anything can help. Communication, a hug, supplies like some food or clothes. You name it.

There are dangers though, so be careful. Don't take someone you don't trust to your house and show them all your valuables, use common sense. Also keep in mind these people are just like us, they have pride as well. No one likes being a charity case, so when we try and help people we try and make a huge effort not to make it look like we pitty them. Its not about pitty or needing a thank you, its just about loving our fellow man. We give them things and talk to them because we care about them, is there really any other reason? Would we not do the same for our mothers, sisters, children? It's not a religeous, economic class or some such thing, we are now a global community and if others win we all win. It does not need to be a "win/lose" scenario that our society seems to be leaning on. Rich and poor, greedy and needy, why?

Some things we are doing

Right now a huge problem is financial crisis in many areas, and is especially the case here. This year there was a fellow who died one night covering a hole in his house (using his body) because he did not want his kids and wife to get cold. He gave them his only couple blankets, unfortunately he did not wake up the next morning. It is so saddening to see people have so little money and means to buy, by most of our standards, such basic items as blankets.

This year we have found a place willing to sell bedding sets (1 blanket, 2 pillows and a bed sheet) to us for $7 each. Very cheap, and fairly good quality (we use the same ones). Our goal is to buy 300 of these for similar families like mentioned above. If possible, we would like to buy more as well. It all depends how much our day jobs pull in and how much extra we have. How cool would it be if 1 in every 10 people bought 1 useful household type item for someone in need? Or food, or even just made a depressed person happy? Think of the change that could make worldwide? Even doing it just once a month, yikes, we may have a new worldwide plague: happyness. Perhaps thats too optimistic, but thats the goal right? Happyness.

Another thing we have decided is to take all the food we produce in our gardens, and somehow give them to our local community. Previous years we have sold our produce locally, but frankly, it seems strange to me to take my farmed goods and sell them to a fruit vendor. Then watch people in my village walk by that vendor hungry and not be able to buy any of it cause its too expensive. Businesses would rather let things rot than give it away for free, it may hurt their profits. That's so wrong. So we figure its a better use of this food in the stomachs of people who can use it, rather than compost and side dishes at dinner tables of those who can afford such luxuries as food. How many of you have gardens? Do you really eat all those apples from your front yard tree? I am sure a food kitchen or similar programs in your area would gladly take in any extra produce from your gardens. And why not? it only takes a couple hours of time and maybe a bit of gas to take it there. The rewards are priceless, someone can go on for a little bit without feeling sick cause they can't eat anything.

I would not be at all surprised if here at our own nursery we spend more money just on plastic pots than many do on clothing for their kids, that makes me sad. Another thing we are trying to do is cut down on things like this. How can we cut down on material purchases? One example would be recycled paper pots work just as well for many plants, especially propagating fruits and vegetables which are destined for planting elsewhere. That alone, at least with our nursery, could save a couple thousand dollars a year, that money can then be put towards more useful and meaningful purchases such as clothing, bedding or fixing the roof of someones old broken home.

Anyway, as life goes on, we feel more and more of a need to extend ourselves into a more social society. And we hope that more people can share this kind of system, albiet in different ways of course. Love comes in all shapes, colours and methods. We can all do something, big or little, its the choices we make that decide whether they are positive or not. we are all family in a sense.

If anyone here cares to share stories, have comments or suggestions or maybe even are feeling down, email us. You dont have to buy "stuff" here to talk. If you need someone to talk to, and perhaps don't feel comfortable talking to someone you know, we are here to listen. There is often comfort in being anonymous, so if you need to talk, PLEASE email us. We would love to hear from you, never feel you must buy things to talk to us. All are welcome with open arms, as I sincerely hope is a similar situation where you are from.

Shine on.