Serious question: “What if you just helped?”

What do I mean by “just helped?” I mean, what if – when you saw (or read or heard about) someone that needs help – you helped?

“I can’t afford to help, Andy.”

Are you sure about that? If you read a tweet from someone who’s struggling at work with a technical issue, do you know something about the technology? Might you offer some suggestion? Do you know someone who might be able to help or offer a suggestion? Can you offer a retweet? Can you direct this person to a website or a forum?

What if it’s a different kind of help someone needs?

“What if someone is asking for money and I have none to spare?” At the risk of sounding trite or even harsh, are you sure you can’t spare $5? $5 doesn’t seem like a lot. And maybe, for some people in some circumstances, it’s not a lot – at least all by itself. But what happens if you donate $5 to someone’s cause and then let people know about the cause? What if they tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and they… And then what if each friend donates $5? Before you know it, the need is met; or maybe even exceeded.

I am willing to concede you may not have $5 to spare (there have been times in my life when such was the case). Then what? Perhaps you could offer moral support. Maybe send a direct message or an email. Let the person know you are thinking about them. If you are a person of faith, perhaps pray for them and, perhaps, let them know you are praying for them. A little encouragement goes a long way.

Just something to think about…

Peace.