We are headed for who knows what, and soon. People and their reactions to whatever events occur will be a key ingredient in the mix of how things play out. An increasing number of those of us that have been preparing for uncertainty are winding up our preparations. Do your preps include helping others too? I know that for some here, perhaps many, the answer is 'yes'.

Mother Teresa was once asked "How have you been able to help so many people?" Her reply was instructive. She said "I helped myself first". If you have basically wrapped up what you needed to do in terms of prep for yourself, don't be selfish. Be encouraged to think about what you can do to help others later. They will need it. If each of us were to do just a little bit extra thinking and planning now to help others, it could make a big difference in some peoples lives. Perhaps some of those lives are those of people you know.

You have spent time thinking about how to get through whatever you anticipate ahead. You have helped yourself. If you haven't already, consider how you might help others too. We are in this together, and the more we are able to help each other, the better off we all will be. Perhaps you do not have any extra money. Well, you have yourself. Lend a hand where you see one needed. Do what you can. Whatever it is you do that helps will be appreciated.

While Y2K may make things rough, it also may provide us with both the necessity and the opportunity to help each other in ways we may not have experienced before. And it is not too late to do this, for even if you are only able to do a little, it will be at least something. Suppose it is you that needs the help? Would you want it? Yes? Then be willing to give it too.

Practice senseless acts of kindness.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@help.others), December 20, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Rob. Ga li e li ga, I am grateful

-- John Eaton (jeaton@mindsping.com), December 20, 1999.

Practice not giving me commands on what to practice.

The issue isn't whether kindness is, "good" or not. It's about your pukey, stale, overused, bumper sticker **COMMAND**.

It's not cute, it's not interesting, it's not particularly uplifting when presented in the format you've chosen to present it. Grow up. We're not Neanderthals waiting for your divine light and inspiration.

-- paul leblanc (bronyaur@gis.net), December 20, 1999.

Frankly, I prefer "Focused Acts of Intentional Assistance." I have neither the means nor the interest in "random acts".

-- Paul Urquhart (paulurquhart@worldnet.att.net), December 20, 1999.

Paul,

Rob's thread did not take over your computer and "command" you to read it, now did it?

You're spewing out venom at someone who's simply reminding people to think of others in their preps when their own are done. What's wrong with this picture?

You show to the world how much your heart is filled with anger and hatred. I hope for your sake that you're living in a bunker far away from civilization and will never need the help of another living soul for the rest of your life. If not, then you should start letting go of that anger and hatred now, and relate as a human being with others.

-- (senseless@hearts.com), December 20, 1999.

Rob,

Thanks for that wonderful post! God bless you.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), December 20, 1999.

You said: "Mother Teresa was once asked "How have you been able to help so many people?" Her reply was instructive. She said "I helped myself first"."

This is echoed by the stewardess who instructs people to place the oxy mask over their own mouth before helping others with theirs.

Anyone who has ever been really, really cold should agree that your activity level plummets. All you want to do is huddle and stay warm. I imagine that if you are really hungry and thirsty, your body ramps down and your mind obsesses with your need.

Think about it. How can you help others if you don't take care of your own needs. Don't feel guilty about it. You are useless to anyone else if you are frozen, starving and parched.

-- anon (anon@anon.calm), December 20, 1999.

I will show others how to take care of themselves. I can't and won't do it for them. They will succeed or fail according to their will to survive.

I'll provide the information and some initial instruction and materials. From there, they must apply it.

-- GoldReal (GoldReal@aol.com), December 20, 1999.

How ironic that two such mean-spirited individuals should be named after a man known for his humaneness and kindness for 2,000 years! Whether you believe the Bible as the word of God or not, St. Paul's good character comes through in his letters and the accounts of his work. Perhaps you two Pauls will ponder my wise old father's words: If you have nothing to say, DON'T SAY IT.

Rob, thank you for exhorting us all to do a little bit better.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), December 20, 1999.

Rob,

I believe y2k will bring out the best in people. My wife and I have bought a lot of goodies just for the children we may need to help. Since we can't help all, we have chosen to be selective. We are taking the approach that our God will show us how to help others. We are ready to die helping others. What a way to go. Of course, we don't have children of our own. If we did, I would definitely make sure they were cared for FIRST, then others. 1 Timothy 5:8.

I remember a thread Decker started about this. The Scripture in that thread points all of faith to give and share with others.

God bless you Rob.

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), December 20, 1999.