Just as I was about to start writing this, there was a commotion outside in the street which turned out to be a couple who had managed to put unleaded petrol in their diesel car - something I've done once myself - it's the kind of thing you only do once , at least in my experience.
Naturally I went out and helped them move it from the middle of the road as did a couple of others, I had a moment to recognise how easily some things can be dealt with if we all pull together - well, push in this case but you get my drift. I also felt good about the community I live in. I imagine the couple were pretty relieved too, pushing cars around is not really a two person kind of activity.
Whilst being a fairly minor example of how helping others benefits everyone (feeling better about ourselves and others is just as tangible a benefit as having help pushing your car around), it does demonstrate this universal principle rather well.
The great thing about this idea is that it works for the giver whether they are in a great space or a terrible one.
So, however your day is going, look around you, who needs your help? You will probably already know the answer. You don't even have to know what to do, you just have to want to help and allow yourself to be inspired as to the how. It might be just a supportive word, showing some interest in someone. Some act that shows you care - though it might be just to genuinely wish them well, or to hold them in your mind and send them some love - even at work - we don't have to make a big show of it.
In fact this is a key strategy for happiness and success, on one level all our problems are a way of distracting us from the opportunities that surround us all to join with those around us and, if we don't have any problems (what none?) then it is a way of sharing some of that.
Genuinely helping those around us always increases bonding which is our natural, if often forgotten, state. It helps at home with the family, it helps at work with our colleagues - it's a team building activity building to communion, which is one of our most basic needs, the fulfilment of which is one of our greatest joys.
If you're reading this, then that is because it is relevant to you, now. Who needs your help?
