We Are Still Our Brother's (And Sister's) Keepers

In a previous post, I mentioned how proud I was during the aftermath of September 11th to watch how the people of NYC banded together to get through a horrific time.  Everyone looked out for each other and there was a feeling in the air that we all felt responsible for one another.  Unfortunately, that feeling lasted a couple of months, and then we were back to "normal."  I don't think there was any malicious intent behind this, I think people just got caught up in their own life and went back to the routines they were used to.

One of my favorite commercials on television is the one for Liberty Mutual titled "A Helping Hand is Contagious."  In this commercial, a person witnesses someone doing a kind act for someone and it affects them in a way that causes them to do something nice for someone else.  What's touching to me about this commercial is that the person who is moved to action is not the person who had the kind act performed for them, but it is the person who saw the act, unbeknownst to the person who did the good deed.  It's very powerful (click on the link above to YouTube).

The great thing to me about displaying kindness is that the acts that are the most cherished are the things that don't require a ton of effort on your part.  Did you ever notice how much it means to someone if you just call them to tell that you were thinking about them, or taking the time to visit someone in the hospital or sending someone a get-well card or hand written note?  While doing this will bring them great joy, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see how good it will make you feel as well.  One of the biggest takeaways for me when I read Rick Warren's mega bestseller THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE was that "the greatest gift you can give someone is your time, as it's the one thing you can't get back."

Even in these trying economic times when you have to really focus on the things that truly matter in life and look at your blessings as things that can't be monetarily quantified, we all have something to offer someone -  an inherent gift that could change the direction of one's day, possibly even their life.  I always admire the celebrities that give to humanitarian causes.  Seriously, George Clooney and Brad Pitt are never more sexier than when they are raising money for such worthwhile causes that include Darfur, the victims of Hurricane Katrina, or the people of Haiti.  It's easy to look at them and think that because they have money they should be doing this, but charity starts with a mindset.  If you are willing to unselfishly give of yourself to someone or something, those actions speak far louder than writing a check ever could.

So, let's love each other, respect each other, care about each other and help one another.  I promise you that your life will be enriched for the experience and it may even prove to be contagious!

So, that's TarazTake for today, what are your thoughts?