“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

Too often the trend in our society is for people to be separated from either other, to be cut off from the great mass of humanity, and in doing so to be dehumanized a little bit more with each step.

Cars have taken us off the streets, where we used to greet each other and stop to chat. Cubicles have taken away a bit of the humanity in working, as have factories and even computers to some extent. Television has planted us firmly in our living rooms, instead of out with other people.

Don’t know where to start? Here’s an extremely incomplete list, just to get you thinking:

Smile and be friendly.

Call a charity to volunteer.

Donate something you don’t use.

Make a donation.

Redirect gifts.

Stop to help.

Teach.

Comfort someone in grief.

Help them take action.

Buy food for a homeless person.

Lend your ear.

Help someone on the edge.

Help someone get active.

Do a chore.

Give a massage.

Send a nice email.

Show appreciation, publicly.

Donate food.

Just be there.

Be patient.

Tutor a child.

Create a care package.

Lend your voice.

Offer to babysit.

Love.

… it all matters more than you know.

How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
– William Shakespeare