Can giving a little help my mental state?
If improving my mental state was as easy as sending a small Paypal payment to an organization, then I would be great all the time. It is not that easy, but there are studies that show that caring about other people and developing compassion can help reduce stress and introduce more positive emotions. With that in mind the question for today is:
If you could give a donation to any charity, which one seems the most important to you?
What does that organization do that helps you in your life?
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@soulsings I feel it can.
I hope this helps.
@Happy900 good to hear from you.
@soulsings Good to hear from you as well, my friend.
I donate regularly, to animal groups, to women's groups, and others. I also support local orgs. I can't say that it impacts me emotionally. I think it's something that I should do, so maybe that's why. We're supposed to give when we can. At least that's how I see it. It's just what you do.
@GoldenNest2727 I agree that giving helps me feel better about myself. It does not always have to be money. Giving service also feels rewarding also.
@soulsings
No, we don't agree. It doesn't make me feel good about myself. I don't feel anything for giving. I think I should just do it. It's just what you do. 😊
@GoldenNest2727 I hear you. I did not always feel good about giving. I started to set an intention while I was giving like "Giving to this organization will help reduce suffering in the world."
Instead of writing off my act as just another thing I did, I dedicated it to a cause that has some meaning to me. That is what gave me a feeling of boosted self esteem.
I spent a lot of my life being self critical and that included not giving myself credit for what I did that was right. This was a first step to stop beating myself up. It is a long road but I started.
@soulsings
Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey with us. That was a lovely read, Soul.
@GoldenNest2727 Glad to hear this.
@soulsings
It's hard to select one but charity organizations helping abused children and animal charities are very close to my heart.
@amiablePeace77 there are many charities but I think it helps to pick ones aligned with your principles.
@amiablePeace77 Thanks for sharing this.
I learned something new about you, my friend.
I am so glad that I learned this about you.
Any groups that helps others, is close to my heart.
I don't know any organization which I would donate to
Sorry considerateMoon9060 I deleted this thread by mistake and am posting it here for you.
@soulsings
That's okay, though. You give of yourself in many other ways. ❤️
@GoldenNest2727 Yes they do.
@soulsings I think I would give a donation to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They are just really important and they will always be important ❤️
@fruityPond7887 yes they do good work with people in crisis. Nice to think of them.
@soulsings Absolutely! It's a tough job and one that many people can't do 💛
@fruityPond7887 Glad to hear this.
@Happy900 Thank you so much Happy! I appreciate you! <3
@fruityPond7887 Same here.
Your an amazing person.
Your very helpful.
@Happy900 Aw stop thank you! You're amazing!❤️
@soulsings I think I would donate to autism awareness it will help me to be able to keep motivating and helping my son through his journey.
@lovelycoacoa Glad to hear this.
Autism is so misunderstood,in my opinion.
We need groups like the Autism Society, to fight for those with Autism, to help educate others about it.
There is a debate, on weather or not, it should be called a disorder or a disability.
Some argue it is both.
Some argue it is a disorder.
I wish they would make up there minds, on which is it.
It is kinda confusing, if you ask me.
I am in agreement, with it could be both.
Because some people with Autism, can have other issues, such as learning disabilities, hearing disabilities, and the list is even longer.
But I think you get where I am coming from.
I have a learning disability, and I do not have Autism.
Any ways these are my replies to your post.
I hope this helps some.
I thank you for reading.
You have a wonderful day.
I have a few non-profits I care about. The one that I've given to the longest and most faithfully is the Arbor Foundation. I've maintained a membership and have donated to some of their special tree planting drives from time to time for about 12 years now. I love trees. I fell asleep in one once when I was a young girl. I laid myself carefully among the tangled branches and cried myself to sleep. When I was later put in a foster home, there was this one HUGE tree next to a little creek that I use to climb up to escape the abuse there. So, trees helped me through a difficult childhood. When my dad was killed in an accident, I went to the woods to feel closer to him. He took us for walks there. So trees represent the deepest kind of comfort for me.
I found an oracle tree card deck that has different trees with specs on each one on each card. Love that deck. So trees are very close to my heart. I give because I want trees to be there for others. Not just to provide oxygen, which of course is important. But for the peace of mind that they can bring if people only let it in.
I've also given to amateur radio clubs because I believe in disaster preparedness and appreciate the people who care for us in crisis. I'm also a General Class amateur radio operator.
I'll also drop a dollar here and there to the freeware developers who donate their time and expertise to help us stay safe from computer viruses.
How does all this make me feel? Like I did what we all should do, care. But I'm not a preacher. I do it because I do. I suppose I register a little going home type feeling inside...a comfort that I'm doing something good. I guess I do it on auto pilot... don't really think about how it makes me feel, I just do it because I believe it's the thing to do. If we all paid a little forward the world would be a better place. Doing my part, well, at least something. Always have that nagging feeling I could do more...lol. Comes from an old warn out belief that I never do enough. Many of us have dealt with that feeling of not being enough. Done with that now.
@EmbStitcher33 Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for giving to the Arbor Day Foundation.
They are a great group.
I have heard so many great things, that they do.
You hardly ever hear, any thing negative from them.
@soulsings
I worked for a museum once that tells real life stories and show how important people are, for a suicide prevention organization (I did training, could not finish it but learned a lot) and for a startup that was creating bots to get people informed about covid. I loved doing those activities because I was learning from them and from people around. I had no job so it made me feel useful, it kept my mind occupied and away from negative thoughts and gave me better perspective of life, showing how much I am not alone with my problems and that this is all about human condition. It also felt like richer experiences than the ones my old jobs could have offered me, as in voluntary work I had the freedom to choose what to do and job work doesn't feel so free.
@mary31 Thanks for sharing this with us.
I am so glad you find non-paid work rewarding.
I to find it very rewarding.
@soulsings
I would support organizations that strive to create awareness of children with special needs. They do a lot to provide the equipment, facilities and the care the children need.
@Angela243 Thanks for sharing this.
You touched my heart.
Thank you for doing that.
I have a learning disability.
So people, with disabilities hold a very special place in my heart and soul.
@Angela243 that is a very worthy cause
@soulsings
i believe that if i gave to a charity that helps feed, cloth and educate children, i would feel very good about myself because children are the future of our world!
@NewYorker11 I hear you. The older I get the more I realize I am going to pass the torch to the next generation.
