They may be overused expressions or trite phrases, but I have to admit I love reading them – ‘inspirational’ quotes, that is. Clichés all! A couple of my favourites are: ‘Do good and feel good. Do bad and feel bad. It’s that simple.’ and ‘Making one person smile can change the world – maybe not the whole world, but their world.’(Or a similar sentiment). The ‘doing good’ statement is so true and I wish I could teach everyone everywhere to ponder on it and then act accordingly. The quote about making people smile is a little similar in meaning as, by helping someone in any way that will make them smile, is a benefit to both parties involved. There’s also the action of offering a helping hand to a stranger that may make them smile and feel better – no matter what is happening in their life. Without sounding twee, I have occasionally helped someone I don’t know (albeit in a very small way) and watched them respond with a lovely smile of gratitude that has lightened my day possibly more than it has altered their day. As simple an act as helping an elderly person carry their shopping bags up some steps, can engender an amazing brief rapport between two people; a connection that (usually) results in a lovely feeling, at least for the ‘helper’. Such an act sometimes reminds me of the Biblical quote about showing ‘hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares’. I’m certainly not saying that I am ‘entertaining angels’ when helping someone along the way - what I am saying is that, if you help someone in need – even in a very small way – it is not you, as the helper, who is the ‘angel’ but the one you are able to help. This is true mainly because (as seen in the first quote) that if you DO good, you FEEL good. That being so, it is the helper who reaps the benefit, more so than the one who is helped. This may sound a bit muddled, but on re-reading my words, you will hopefully understand what I’m valiantly – hopefully not vainly –trying to say.
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Author notesI choose to comment on social issues and write creatively on a variety of subjects - for a variety of audiences.
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