World Humanitarian Day - Act Locally, Help Globally
- louisehewison
- Aug 19, 2014
- 2 min read
Today is World Humanitarian Day.
HUMANITARIAN
adjective
Having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people
Involved in improving people's lives and reducing suffering
The Media bombard us with images of suffering daily and as human beings we feel empathy and are moved to help. However, it's easy to think that as individuals we cannot make a difference.
With so much suffering in the World we CAN NOT afford to live with apathy! One day you might be the one who needs help and we are all connected!
YOU can make a difference!
By 'reaching out' to one person in need you are making a difference. Helping just one person will have a ripple effect and that really can change the world!
You can change someone's whole day with a simple act of kindness; a smile, stopping for a conversation or helping someone with their bag. By offering a thought or a hand to another person, you will have a positive affect on their mood and give them a little lift, which will encourage them to 'pay it forward'. You'll feel good too.
Jonathan Haidt, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, coined the term elevation to describe the emotion we feel when we encounter evidence of what he calls moral beauty. "Elevation seems to have a ripple effect, triggering cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes, It makes people more open, more loving, grateful, compassionate, and forgiving."
So pay attention to the people around you, be kind always! Start with your family, how can you help them? Your friends, neighbours, colleagues, the girl at the checkout, the postman. Really listen to what people are saying, take the time to let someone express themselves fully without interuption - sometimes, often, that is enough.
We have an affect on every single person we come into contact with, make these human contacts positive. They will pay it forward and it will come back to you. You will also naturally be raising your energy and by doing so, will attract more positivity into your life, and so the circle continues.
If you'd like to support #HumanitarianHeros and spread the message of Humanity visit the website: http://worldhumanitarianday.org/home/english/
I'd like to leave you with some words from the Queen of Soul and humanitarian,
Nina Simone.
Some words to ponder in the lyrics from her song Human Touch:
No one seems to care as much No time to smile, laugh or cry as much Have we lost the touch that means so much Have we lost the human touch
No one wants to be alone
To walk or talk and sleep and weep alone Have we lost the touch that does so much Have we lost the human touch
Touch me now and let me know Hold me tight so I can go Through this misery unafraid And really knowin' what life is all about
No one wants to live alone Who wants to smile, laugh or cry alone Have we lost the touch that means so much Have we lost the human touch
Make sure we don't lose the Human Touch.
Hold out a hand to a friend that needs you.
Act locally, help globally.
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