Do good is something that I heard growing up, but never fully put into practice. I am reminded of a conversation that I had with one of my sisters. I was telling her that someone could get away with robbing a bank by doing this and that. When I finished, she simply said, “Please, use your gifts to do good" and laughed. It was not a big epiphany or life altering comment, but it was a pointed statement that I took to heart. I didn’t say another word. However, that statement was the impetus to changing how I used my energy and thoughts. For years, I have subscribed to speaking with purpose and not using obscene language to express emotion, but the idea that I could use even my casual energy (downtime) to continue doing “good” had really neither occurred to me nor had I practiced.
There are so many behaviors that are simply counter to developing and keeping us moving in the right direction that it is easy for me to relate to those who fall off track. Everything from television to games to everyday culture, we have a constant tug-of-war with what should be our natural instincts to make the world a better place. We are constantly barraged with messages of infidelity, violence, misfortune, and general dissatisfaction. While these may be releases for some, the counter productiveness is all too evident in our society.
Choosing behaviors and creating an environment that allows growth in areas that benefit our lives has to be as directed as choosing a mate. As a young man looking for work, I did not recognize the “call to service” that some experience. The call to service and philanthropy are more than words when we subscribe to a way of life that is built upon service. We have to choose to be a “do gooder.” The challenge is how do we do “good” in every aspect of our lives?
In my mind, it starts with family, but for those who have broken homes or simply must fight each day just to stay alive, finding the space to give to others may seem impossible. It is easy to be a giver when you start to apply that principle to all that you do. When you make breakfast for someone, when you plan a meeting, when you provide feedback, or when you come home tired, you have a chance to still be of service in those moments. It can be simply saying hello to someone you’ve never met. It could be a hug, and the funny thing is, while that hug is meant to lift someone else, you’ll find that these things boost your own morale just as much. Doing good for others will energize you and inspire you.
The commitment to others can take you down a path of change, but the change shouldn’t stop with your philanthropic efforts. Giving from your heart for others creates a well of water that simply overflows the more that you give. You see, the gift of giving to others is that you learn to give more freely and more often. The next step becomes, applying the giving principles to your life's purpose. Give to yourself by enriching your life with positive thinking, informed decisions, considerate reactions, and general thoughtfulness. It becomes more of who you are and represents something more meaningful than the acquisition of things for yourself. I never really understood how my father who was retired and struggling could just give his last dime to someone until now. It wasn’t a need for him to have anything, but a greater good for him to give. We have to recognize what we “need” in a way that frees our minds to appreciate what we have and allows us to give freely. And often, we have a lot to give if we can just make that our norm instead of the exception. It is no surprise that GO is at the beginning of good. I challenge you to GO be a "do GOoder” in all that you do.