Image: Public Domain, Pixabay

We know someone, and to protect their privacy I’m going to be vague, but we helped them today, and it was such a wonderful feeling. No one in our home is well off, but we still do what we can for others when the need arises. We were all on the verge of tears today, and it’s the best feeling I’ve had in a while.

This person, we’ll call them J, has fallen on some really hard times. They have a family and everyone’s feeling the stress of what’s happening to them. J came by expecting to maybe find some missing mail and possibly talk a while, but left with some much needed assistance and an opportunity for the future. They got more than they bargained for, and we got to have the wonderful feeling of helping someone.

It was quite something, really. Eric and I couldn’t offer financial help, but we provided a possible opportunity that could bring money into the picture. It would be mutually beneficial, and it gave J some hope and much gratitude was expressed. Later mom decided to help, and what she gave was enough to make J speechless. It was within her limited means, but this unexpected gift touched J deeply.

J never expected anything from us but some conversation and maybe a cup of coffee. What we offered went above and beyond, but we didn’t do it for ourselves at all. Someone we sort of know was in trouble, and we did what we could to help. To us, that’s just what you do. We expect no repayment, we just did what we could to help someone else in need. We’ve all been through tough times ourselves, so we know how hard it can be, and how relieving it can be to get some unexpected assistance.

The feeling of giving, even when it’s not money, is such a wonderful thing. When you can give hope to another person, it’s something that even someone as gifted with words as myself has a hard time explaining. There are no words in our meager language for that feeling of connection and love for another person. According to J, there are also no words for the feeling of gratitude and appreciation.

This is why I encourage people to be more giving. No matter what it is you have to give, it’s a gift to others and a gift to yourself. Giving creates a bond between people and a deep emotion. The bond may only last a few minutes, or maybe a lifetime, but it’s worth having, no matter for how short a time. No matter what your giving, be it friendship or service or money, it fills you with a feeling that almost defies words for both the giver and the recipient.

Briana Blair

Briana Blair is an author and artisan. She has published more then 30 books and thousands of articles across multiple sites. After practicing Paganism and witchcraft for 25 years, she's now on a journey as an atheist and skeptic. She's eclectic, unpredictable, and always evolving. Facebook - Twitter