What's "good"!?

By Tiana on March 28 2008 at 7:00 AM

I believe good, particularly social good, involves pure intentions with your heart in the right place. It is easy to do something that is good but it should be an effort that encourages you to do more and get more people involved for the simple joy of drawing a smile across someone’s face and brightening up their life. Whether it is donating clothes, money or canned goods, participating in a marathon or helping someone cross the street, good can also be a collective effort involving many dedicated individuals working together to help or promote a cause. As a society we should take care of our own people and also reach out to others. I work with many wonderful charities and organizations to make sure everyone is taken care of, their needs understood and life enriched, but I also do “good” every chance I get. Good doesn’t only involve helping the less fortunate or those with disabilities. It can also be lending a hand to a friend in need or enriching children’s lives through the arts or by becoming a mentor. It’s the little things that matter most, so whether it is something you do when no one is watching or with a group, good can be achieved in just about any aspect of life.

Comments

I strongly feel that many of us lose sight of what's in front of our eyes when we think about being socially "good". Yes, I'm supportive of national campaigns (one, project red), but my impact on someone, something, could very well be done in person, with a friend, a colleague or local nonprofit. The best part about the word "good", is that you can choose to define it anyway you want ;-)

Nice one T!

Tiana:

It's refreshing to read your words and reminds me that people like you are still inspired to do good and positively represent humanity. It's been years since I've contributed as much as I would like, however just earlier this week I had an opportunity to do so once again.

The other day my employer pulled me from work and gave me twenty dollars and an hour to make a difference. The only condition that needed to be met was that however I spent my hour would need to contribute to the enrichment of someone's life. Though it's been years since I have been a member of a service group (something that your post reminds me how much I need to change that reality), it came so naturally to go out and do some good. A few of my peers and I bought flowers and took them to a senior center, then spent half an hour in their Internet lab helping some of the local residents use their computers, find things online, and learn where they can go to get more help.

It was small and simple, but echoed the feelings I used to have doing community work with you. Their graciousness reminded me that people need to give their time far more often!

It's been a long while, but I think I need to go back to Gardena one of these Saturdays and lend a hand at that kitchen I visited for so many years.

Keep spreading the inspiration Tiana!

Max

Smiles definitely = Good.

I totally agree! There are so many ways to contribute "good" in our everyday lives, and we just need to always be conscious of the daily opportunities.

@Ray Shin: Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures!

People often forget that a lot of the time the "greater good" is often just making peoples' lives a little bit easier. Helping someone pick up a mess or something like that. People shouldn't have a shocked look when someone helps them do something. It should just happen.

The Good in people isn't Good enough nowadays, we need people in this world that can do Great or better. Watch the news and what do you see stories on? The Great or the Bad, the Good doesn't cut it anymore.