Making Progress on Charity

[Guest]

As many know, I've been working a lot on improving my attitude and showing love to others.  For the longest time I didn't seem to be improving.  But I actually felt a pang of conscience the other day.

My family was having a discussion and my son mentioned some typically human stupid things that some people do. He was making fun of such people and others laughed.  I was about to laugh.  But something struck me and I was surprise at what I said.

"Remember that we love them.  They're children of God.  They are our brothers and sisters. ... that need a lot of help."

The family diminished their laughter and partially agreed and partially rolled their eyes.  But I think we'll be working on this for the next year or 20.

[Sunday21]

@Carborendum You and Mark Twain http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3183

[NeuroTypical]

This helps me:

Light-heartedness: Taking good-natured enjoyment of our shared human predicament.  It eases tension and brings us closer together in love.
Light-mindedness: Mocking sacred things for unrighteous reasons. It provides a short-term 'holier than them' experience.

The jokes are often the same.  But our heart's compass, the reason we're engaging in the joke, makes all the difference.

 

Edited April 26, 2018 by NeuroTypical

[Lost Boy]

4 hours ago, Carborendum said:

As many know, I've been working a lot on improving my attitude and showing love to others.  For the longest time I didn't seem to be improving.  But I actually felt a pang of conscience the other day.

My family was having a discussion and my son mentioned some typically human stupid things that some people do. He was making fun of such people and others laughed.  I was about to laugh.  But something struck me and I was surprise at what I said.

"Remember that we love them.  They're children of God.  They are our brothers and sisters. ... that need a lot of help."

The family diminished their laughter and partially agreed and partially rolled their eyes.  But I think we'll be working on this for the next year or 20.

I started this year on truly focusing on what I can do for others in the family, especially the Mrs.   We took the 5 love languages test and her love language is acts of service.  I am a physical touch kind of guy.  She would do nice things for me, but not really do a lot of physical touch stuff.  I on the other hand made sure I hugged her and kissed her every day.  Neither one of us were communicating our love for the other they way the other wanted it shown.

So now on top of the hugs and kisses, I look for ways I can serve her.  If I see a room that needs some cleaning, I'll clean it before she can.  If she is cleaning the kitchen, I'll jump in and help.  I am working on painting the house for her.  And although she has a hard time showing affection due to the way she was raised, she is trying her best.

But the point is every day make it a goal to serve your spouse and kids.  Do it regardless if you get anything in return.  Do it even if you are unhappy with the person you are doing it for.  Before passing judgement on something that has happened, take a step back.  Take a few deep breaths, try and take a look at the bigger picture.  I find that when I do this, I have far more charity.  Charity is a powerful force helping bring out the best in people.  The people that you often have a hard time showing charity to are the ones who truly need it the most.

Edited April 26, 2018 by Lost Boy
spelling mistake

[CV75]

21 hours ago, Carborendum said:

But I think we'll be working on this for the next year or 20.

...and thus "charity never faileth."