A lot of donations and charities post are going around, and yeah, it can be somewhat frustrating seeing them when you don't have much money to spare... We as human beings are hardwired to help, it upsets us when we can't. And I know the phrase "there are other ways to help" was done to death, still... There really are.
I live in a large apartment complex. We have a group-chat. There are close to 2 500 people in it. Among many threads in the chat there are a few where people can give away stuff and food they don't need... Quite a few members-neighbors are working for/running donation centers and animal shelters...
Do you know how often do I see these types of messages in our group chat? Every day.
Every day.
Every day people exchange things, give to donation centers and shelters, organize cleaning of complex territories, posting to "lost and found" etc. They also help each other in many other ways - answer questions about issues arising in the complex, help new neighbors with info about the area, contacts of various services... My go-to handyman is my neighbor, my seamstress is my neighbor, my hair dresser is my neighbor, my nail master is my neighbor - all found through a group chat. My cleaning lady was referred by neighbors, my new robot-vacuum was recommended to me by neighbors... Anytime I don't know where to buy a thing or a service I ask a group-chat and get several answers by the end of the day (and few days after still). This is our village in the middle of the megapolis. Doesn't have to be neighborhood group-chat. Can be any online or offline community. Humans are hardwired to help each other. Chemicals in our brain do a happy little dance every time we are being useful to a fellow human, no matter big or small way. Doesn't even have to be community. Just notice people around you. Complement that lady on her hair and outfit. Say thank you and have good day to a service worker like you mean it. Smile at a kid. Hold the door for the next person. And take a mental note. That pile will grow. Ask for help, too. Asking for big things can be hard, but asking for little favors is easier - it will make you feel less alone and I promise you it will make another person happy, it's just biochemistry. Give and seek kindness in mundane. It's a win-win for everyone.
