10-16 September 2018

Charity – Characteristic / Virtue of the Week

There’s an old saying which says ‘Charity begins at home’ – some people could argue this while others would agree. While it is important to be generous, empathic, thoughtful and caring at all times and although it is important to give to others it is important that you look after your immediate needs (remembering needs are different to wants) first.

In emergency procedures, airlines state that it is important to put on your safety mask first before you assist others because the reality is that if you do not look after yourself first then before too long you may not be in a position to help others when they need it. Throughout your life, there are plenty of times when you both need help from others and can also offer your help to others when they need it.

There are times when judgement calls are made to offer, or decline, your ability to help others because of the perspectives that you hold, which may be correct or incorrect. Charity is caring for others needs and it is often the people in need that do not ask for help.

R U OK day, mental health week and numerous other causes have evolved due to the understanding of how important it is to respect and accept that we all have challenging times and need that extra bit of support and caring shown from time to time.

Globally we need to look after each other but in order to do that, we must ensure that we are as strong as we can be – as a person, a family, a community, a country, and globally. After all, we’re all in the same boat – we are all citizens of planet earth.